Don’t Take Territorial Behavior Lightly! 

Dogs are animals and they follow their instinct, unlike us as humans that will focus more on logic and practicality. Instinct is part of us too, but with animals, they use it to make their decisions. When I take on a new client, I always assure them that when it comes to their dog, I don’t take the dog out of the dog! What I mean by that is that their instinct and spirit will always be part of them, even through training. It is not my job to make dogs into machines, but simply to introduce better behaviors and encourage the dogs to follow them.

Many dogs are territorial by instinct, and why that is part of their nature, I still take it seriously and if the dog is exhibiting it frequently, I monitor it and lead the dog to more appropriate behaviors and/or give the owner control again over the dog. For example, I am not going to say that a dog barking at a door knock is wrong. However, if the owner commands the dog to stop because the owner knows it’s a guest and not a burglar, then the dog should follow it’s owner’s lead, rather than continuously barking and displaying disobedience.

Territorial behavior is normal, but don’t take it lightly or think it might not get out of control. If an owner wishes for their dog to show some territorial qualities, they should at least be able to maintain it and stop it before it ever gets out of hand.

Take me for instance: I am glad that people know I have a dog. I like knowing that strangers that might walk by my house know that I have a dog. My dog will alert bark whenever someone is at the door, or if they are even approaching the property. Now when some dodgy person seems to be walking toward my front door, I am glad my dog lets not only me know, but will let the person know that he is there. However, when my friends come over to hang out with me, I don’t need my dog to be barking his head off. He still will initially, but when I give the command for him to stop, he listens and will politely greet my friends with me as they come inside.

Many people want their dogs to make themselves known in the home. The dog’s presence can ward off many potential robbers or burglars. However it is important the we communicate to our dogs the boundaries of territorial behavior. If I did not let my dog know that he had to follow my lead and calm down when my friends entered the home, it could have led to the dog continuously barking and acting out. If given the opportunity, my dog might have taken the obnoxious barking and leveled up to growling and some aggressive behavior.

With any dog training programs, the trainer should be there to take away the dog’s free will or to break their spirit. All it is about is teaching better behaviors, and giving the owner more leadership and control of their dog. If your dog is showing territorial behavior and you are getting worried, don’t wait until something tragic happens! Call me at 800-649-7297 – your dog will still be the same dog, but only more behaved and more responsive to your command!