Adena Canine Behavior Issues
GENERATION PETS
CANINE BEHAVIOR ISSUES
Do you live with a canine that tries to bite you or snarls if you take their food away?
How about a toy? (refer to #1 listed below)
Does your canine growl if you try to move them off of the bed or couch? Do they try to jump and mount you or anyone coming into your home? (refer to #2 listed below)
Does your canine lunge at new people coming your home? Or approaching you on the street? Are you dealing with non-stop barking when someone new comes into your home or passes your home? How about in the car? Fenced in backyard? (refer to #3 listed below)
Does your canine become extremely aroused in the presence of another dog? Do they try to lunge? Or pin the other dog down if they have contact? Are you trying to avoid other dogs on your walk because of this behavior? (refer to #4 listed below)
IF YOU HAVE ANSWERED "YES" TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS ABOVE…PLEASE DO NOT BE UPSET. THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME IT IS NOTHING THAT YOU OR YOUR FAMILY DID WRONG. THERE ARE MANY FACTORS THAT COME INTO PLAY WHEN WE ARE DEALING WITH A DOG THAT HAS AGGRESSIVE TENDENCIES.
BUT YOU ALSO CAN CORRECT IT OR MAKE IT MUCH MORE MANAGEABLE WITH THE PROPER GUIDANCE!
1. FOOD AGGRESSION/GUARDING
Signs
- Your canine will only eat when you are present.
- The closer you get to the bowl, the more aroused they are by eating it.
- When you give them a bone or rawhide they will NOT lie down and eat it in front of you.
- When they get something "yummy" they have to go under a table or hide to eat it.
- If you are close while they are eating, they will snarl or even go to bite you.
- If they have found a peanut shell or candy wrapper on a walk and you try to take it from them...they try to bite you.
2. DOMINANCE AGGRESSION
Signs
- Canine sitting on your feet when their back turned to you.
- Excitable jumping on you and everyone in family.
- Excitable jumping on anyone coming into your home.
- Trying to mount your leg or your body while sitting down on couch or bed. Also trying to mount anyone coming into your home or sitting on your couch or bed.
- Challenging commands giver to him/her.
- Tries to lunge at you if you stare at them. Either unprovoked or provoked.
- Reaching for their collar causes them to snarl or try to bite.
- If you try to move them while lying on couch or bed and they growl or snap.
- Urinating on humans or other canines to express authority.
- Laying their head on your leg while you are sitting.
- Sleeping on you or trying to sleep on your head.
- Snapping/Biting when you tough their head, ears, paws, hind paws, back end or tail.
NOTE: When a canine tries to bite you in any of these situations stated above that is when it is considered aggression. If they exhibit any of these behaviors above but have not yet tried to snarl/snap, you are just dealing with a dominant dog that needs to have their role in the household and the relationship with you established.
3. TERRITORIAL AGGRESSION
Signs
- Your canine will bark constantly when someone new comes over or walks passed your house.
- Your dog will lunge at someone new coming in your home or try to bite them.
- They will try to lunge at someone approaching you on a routine walk.
- When you are in your car and you approach a toll, gas station or someone walking by at a red light, they react uncontrollably.
- Your friend that has been in your home for 1 hour decides to get up…your canine reacts to him/her.
- Fenced in backyard…they go “bonkers” when another canine or a human passes.
4. INTERDOG AGGRESSION
Signs
- Your canine will lunge after another dog in passing.
- Your canine cannot get along in a playgroup or dog park.
- When he/she does get close to another dog…they try to pin them or go for the bite.
- Your dog fights you on leash when another canine is present.
- Your canine has already been involved in a dogfight or several.
NOTE: If you are experiencing a few of these symptoms with your canine, it does NOT mean that you are dealing with aggression. You could be dealing with a canine that might have not been socialized enough both in and out of your home. Or socialized enough with other canines or a canine that does not understand his/her role within your home or a social system due to lack of training and authority.
Adena Misiewicz
Canine Behavior Counselor and Trainer
Adena, a Certified Canine Behavior Counselor and Trainer, is a graduate of the Animal Behavior Center of New York. She is also a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the Association of Companion Animal Behavior Counselors. Adena is on the board of PAWS Animal Shelter assessing the canines and helping to find the appropriate home. Her continuing education was through Novartis focusing on anxiety in canines and is now moving forward to become a certified animal control officer.
A full time behavior counselor and trainer, Adena specializes in the psychological elements of dog behavior. She is skilled at handling intense aggression (territorial, dominance, food/object, inter-dog) and separation anxiety cases. Adena is committed to ensuring canines maintain their homes by thoroughly educating owners and following through to gauge results.
Mission Statement
Generation Pets takes pride in fostering and strengthening the bond between humans and canines through education and positive interaction. Through training classes, consultations and seminars, we provide our clients with an in-depth understanding of how dogs think and learn, as well as why they exhibit certain behaviors that might be considered "unwanted." Our trainers work with dogs from all different backgrounds and situations — from stable homes to those surrendered to shelters or those in foster care waiting patiently for permanent homes. Our goal is to ensure that these canines maintain their new homes regardless of what challenges may arise.
At Generation Pets, are connection to our clients does not end when class is over. We are committed to providing ongoing assistance and help however we can. Humans think as humans, dogs react as dogs. It is our job to help both species connect and communicate with one another to facilitate a relationship that is rich and rewarding.
Adena
Generation Pets
Certified Canine Behavior Counselor & Trainer
973.930.8491
www.generationpets.org
generation4pets@verizon.net
[BACK]
[CONTACT US]
[HOME]
Copyright Mary Cody. All rights reserved.
