Dog growls at the owner: why and what to do?

Experienced dog breeders know firsthand how important it is to raise a dog correctly from an early age. But if you miss even the smallest details, release the aggression from the four-legged pet on the brakes, everything can end sadly. The dog will growl at the owner, begin to disobey and not follow basic commands. If the situation has already reached this point, urgent measures must be taken. We will understand the causes of what happened and give practical recommendations for education.

Statistical data

1. We give some facts and study statistics. Dogs have been around humans for centuries. Such a long cooperation led to the fact that the animal and man get along without conflict. Cynology - the science of dogs, has moved forward.
2. Dogs are under the close supervision of scientists who reveal more and more features of four-legged friends. Thanks to the extensive experience of dog handlers, their cooperation with trainers and amateur dog breeders, it was possible to draw a conclusion regarding the behavior of dogs.
3. According to statistics, about 78% of pets that growl at the owners or in another way show aggression towards a person, at least once bite the owner himself or his family members. This percentage does not mean that the animal bites intentionally. He could be encouraged by the actions of people. But fact is fact.
4. According to some reports, more than 60% of people injured by dogs are the owners of the animals themselves. Moreover, of the indicated percentage, the majority of people are old people or small children. When a dog attacks a child, its bites fall on facial tissue. This is dangerous, therefore measures must be taken.
5. As for the upbringing and keeping of aggressive animals, those who were kept at home or were thrown out onto the street for the most unknown reason attacked mainly. In any case, a dog raised by a person is more aggressive. Rather than the one that was born on the street and was raised by a bitch.

Reasons for aggression

There are 4 fundamental reasons an animal can be aggressive and growl at its owner.

1. This list includes breeding animals that were poorly planned or not thought out at all.
2. Also, the dog can growl due to improper upbringing, aggression towards it, violence from a person, constant persecution (intentional provocation of anger).
3. Another reason is the compulsion of children or guests (friends of the owner). The dog simply can not calm down, because it is constantly disturbed. From here come aggressive signs and growls.
4. It is worth highlighting incorrectly performed or late socialization, in which the pet cannot adequately respond to other animals or people.

It is important to understand that aggression, as well as affection, refers to the emotions of an animal. You cannot proceed only from facts, you need to know your dog, feel its mood, listen to your own intuition. Wisdom, experience and kindness are your best allies. Of course, the temperament of the dog does not need to be discounted.

Types and premises of aggression by the dog

1. If the pet began to growl at the owner for no particular reason, you should immediately understand that the initial degree has been passed. The animal is in the second stage, in which the prerequisites are already missing. But do not despair, any behavior can be corrected if measures are taken in time.
2. When a person plans to have a puppy, you need to study his temperament in a timely manner and identify the premises of aggression, if any.Before the animal begins to snap or bite, you will notice a number of signs leading to this. This includes manners, gestures, stance, another set of actions.
3. Aggression can be dominant. In this case, the animal will jump into its arms, wanting to be on top. This quality is characteristic of pets who wish to be the head of the pack, leader, authority. This is inherent in nature, because in a pack of dogs only the dominant individual can crush the younger in rank. It is also worth knowing that when a dog tries to climb on the owner, she considers herself the main one, but does not take the owner into account at all.
4. Sexual aggression is another variety that all owners of males are familiar with firsthand. The dog shows aggressive behavior towards relatives of the same gender. Even puppy boys will compete for a toy or territory with their brothers. Such aggression is dangerous for a person, because a pet can transfer it in your direction at any second. The situation is complicated when the dog growls at the owner, if he condemns him. The solution lies in castration, as well as the proper education of the animal.
5. Aggression can be territorial, it is determined by the developed protective qualities of a four-legged friend. But such instincts should manifest themselves reasonably. Otherwise, the pet will cross all borders, trying to protect the house from the owner. This cannot be allowed.
6. In dogs, so-called food aggression may occur. In this case, the pet growls or even bites the owner, if he reaches out to her bowl. The same applies to situations when treating a pet with a treat, he grabs his fingers. An adult will freeze, growl, or grind while eating if a person passes nearby.
7. The behavioral problems include aggression between two individuals living under the same roof. They are fighting for territory, toys, food and the attention of the owner. The danger is that at any time the dog can switch the grudge to a person. The prerequisite is the behavior in which the animal pushes the child away to quickly approach his dad / mom. Such signs should be suppressed in the early stages.
8. Self-defense or defensive aggression. Among experienced dog breeders there is a certain rule. If you scold your pet, you need to pursue his interests. Owners often make many blunders. The fact is that dog training, training and socialization is carried out specifically for its safety and comfort. The simple execution of commands does not affect the convenience of the owner, however, such procedures are closely related to you. If the animal will obey the owner, then it will not run away and will not get into trouble. Most importantly, the dog will not fight with relatives.
9. Prerequisites for aggression can be expressed by a desire to hide and fear. Faced with cowardice and timidity, we can assume that the animal has lost confidence in the owner. This situation is very bad. If the pet cannot trust you, he will be in constant stress. The dog will always strive for safety. This has always been the basic instinct of animals. If you ignore this, the psyche of the dog suffers greatly. Everything can always be fixed, only it takes time to earn the trust of the dog.
10. Defensive aggression. Such a reaction can be quite logical if the animal is in real danger. This may come from the owner. You may not even know that you are a threat. The pet can be very afraid of your voice, gestures and too active movements. You don’t have to go far, for example, you returned from an event drunk, the dog smells different and sees an unusual attitude towards her. You start talking differently, the animal may think that you have been replaced. Such statements are very vague, since the reaction of each dog breed can be different.

Ways to Combat Dominant Dog Behavior

Correct the situation is quite possible. The dog can be weaned growl at the owner. To do this, it is necessary to show who is the master and leader of the pack in the house. Keep in mind that with such an upbringing you will certainly encounter resistance and stubbornness. Therefore, be prepared to gain courage, patience, strength and endurance. This is the only way to achieve the desired. If this is not done, especially with a large pet, serious problems can arise. Especially if the dog belongs to the fighting breeds. Such an animal can become a potential threat not only to the owner, but also to all members of the family.

Feeding

1. It is necessary to normalize the time of feeding the animal. Do not try to feed your pet before you yourself get up from the table. It is important to teach the dog to eat only on command. If the pet begins to protect its bowl, you should hold it with one hand. The dog should not protect his food from you.
2. It is important to teach the animal not to spin around the table and not to beg for food. Train your dog to start and finish eating only at your command. If necessary, the pet should give the remaining food without aggression.
3. In no case do not give in and do not be afraid of the growling dog. If you give in and give in at least once, the animal will develop a new reflex. The dog will think that it is enough to growl at you so that you step aside. Thus you cease to be the leader of the pack.

Weasel

1. No matter how much you love your pet, and no matter how cute he is, you cannot constantly caress and pet him. The dog does not perceive this for human feelings and love for her.
2. On the contrary, the pet will confuse the attitude towards him. He can perceive such a manifestation of feelings as weakness. Weasels should be in moderation. Always reward your dog for correctly executed commands.

Punishment and encouragement

1. Any pet needs a fair treatment from the owner. It is necessary to regularly reward the pet for fulfilled commands. If necessary, the dog should be punished fairly. However, in such a case, you must follow the sequence.
2. Otherwise, the pet may confuse the attitude towards itself. A dog can understand gestures such as weakness. She will take a dominant position. When punishing, you must communicate with the animal in a language that is understandable to him.
3. Do not resort to screaming and rudeness. Use the technique of wolves. The leader of the pack should grab the guilty person by the neck and press him to the ground, while strangling the slog. If the animal continues to resist, it must be raised up until the pet becomes limp and surrenders. In animal language, a dog admits defeat.

If you are faced with a similar situation, everything can be fixed. Do not give in to manipulations by the animal. Show that you are the leader of the pack, the head of the family, authority. You cannot argue, and the only way out is to submit. It is also important to raise the dog correctly from an early age so that such situations do not arise at all.

Video: what to do if the dog growls at the owner