The Root of the Behavior
Overprotection in many forms simply comes from jealousy. A dog who receives too much attention during their younger years or one who has to compete with another dog for the human companions attention will often develop overprotective or aggressive behaviors.
"The goal is to teach the dog that it will receive a favored treat or reward that is even more appealing than the object in its possession." Approaching calmly, offering a food reward and taking the possession, praising the puppy and returning the object teaches the puppy that your actions are not to be feared.
Therefore, when dogs guard the house, they are simply following their natural and reinforced instincts to protect their pack and territory. Dogs also have a strong sense of smell and hearing, which makes them excellent at detecting intruders or unusual activity around the house.
For dogs exhibiting territorial aggression, you will need to gain enough control to have your dog sit, stay, and when calmed down, take a reward at the front door. Generally, a leash and head collar will give the fastest and most effective control (see Training Products – Head Halter Training).
Is a Dog More Protective of Female Keepers? This isn't a general rule, but some pets are more likely to exhibit protective behavior with female keepers. This is because women generally have a softer voice and are gentler whenever they care for the dog.
Do not punish or reward territorial behavior; ignore it, wait for calm, then reward. Repeat often over a period of time, with various people and dogs. When your dog learns that other people and dogs are not a threat, that anxiety is not necessary, and that calm behavior is rewarded, territorial behavior will diminish.
Dogs can be possessive over their owners as well as their toys or food. This makes your dog extra protective of you and keeps your dog on high alert when there's no real threat. Your dog may be showing possessive behavior if they do the following: Growling.
Resource guarding occurs when dogs exhibit behaviors like growling, lunging, or biting over food or toys. This behavior is also known as “possessive aggression” and may occur in dogs of any breed. Training early and often can help discourage resource guarding before it becomes too problematic.
Answer: She may be protective of you or the couch (or both), and she just might not be comfortable with your husband being around. This snarl and growl is a distance-increasing warning telling your husband not to come close as she feels threatened by him.
“If your dog whines, barks, paws at you, or nudges you to get affection, this means that they don't respect your personal space and they won't listen to you in other areas of training and leadership.” This one may be tricky for dog owners.
Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are probably at the top of your list when you think of friendly and devoted family dogs. Throughout history, these dogs have been known to be outgoing, powerful hunting companions with endless energy and loyalty.
While you might expect a protection dog to be less loving or safe than an average dog, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, they make good family pets! A protection dog can be just as fun and affectionate as any other dog, while also helping keep their family safe.
Treatment for territorial aggression in dogs may include behavior modification techniques, such as counter-conditioning and desensitization, as well as medication in some cases.
Aside from instincts, there are several factors that can cause a dog to display territorial behaviors. The lack of early socialization, sexual maturation, environmental factors, inbreeding, pack mentality, or an underlying medical condition can all lead to aggressive territorial behaviors.
Most controlled scientific studies on this question (and there have been many!) show that whether a dog is spayed or neutered has no impact at all on the likelihood that they will be aggressive in any given circumstance.
Possessiveness — aka “resource guarding” — may seem on the surface like just another bad behavior, but it's actually pretty instinctual. “[Dogs] should be possessive of the people who are providing them with all the high-value things ... because they really don't want that to be lost to another dog,” Dr.
Possessiveness often stems from insecurities related to attachment styles. People with attachment anxiety tend to have a negative view of themselves and a positive view of others. They worry that their partners can't be trusted. They have a chronic fear of rejection.