Dealing with a Noisy, Food-Aggressive, and Biting Dog:
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However, now that you've taken them under your care, it's only natural to foster a harmonious coexistence. After all, it wouldn't be right to live in a constant state of conflict. So, the following targeted methods are essential for you to master.
Protecting Food:
Addressing food aggression early on is crucial, as correcting this behavior in adult dogs is quite challenging.
Step 1:
Start by feeding your dog by hand (wear protective gloves if you're concerned about being bitten). This helps your dog understand that your hand brings food, not takes it away. Always require your dog to sit before feeding, and repeat this process for a week.
Step 2:
Gradually transition to feeding from a bowl, starting with small portions. After eating, use your hand to give a little more, allowing your dog to get accustomed to your hand's proximity. For adult dogs, it's best to secure them in a specific spot to prevent them from rushing in and potentially harming someone.
Step 3:
After 12 weeks, attempt to pet your dog's back while it eats and try to take away the food bowl. If it whines or shows signs of biting, repeat the feeding process with your presence. Remember, food is not a solitary activity, and it's important to avoid resorting to physical force to correct this behavior, as it can intensify your dog's fear of having its food taken away.
Excessive Barking:
Dogs typically bark when they are hungry or scared, but other barking is often a way to seek attention or express dissatisfaction. To address this, reward your dog with treats when it's quiet and engage in play sessions to distract it from its tendency to bark. Often, a dog's barking is a result of being indulged, such as being given treats on command. Therefore, it's vital to establish rules from a young age.
Biting:
Biting can be caused by various factors, including shyness, protectiveness over food or puppies, or teething. If a normally gentle dog suddenly bites, it might be reacting to something it dislikes, like being touched by a stranger. Identify your dog's emotional triggers and be mindful of them. If your dog barks at strangers, have a friend offer treats while wearing gloves, ensuring the dog sees that the treats come from you. This helps your dog understand that people close to you are not a threat. Regular walks and exposure to strangers can also help your dog adapt to its environment. Over time, these issues will resolve. Always keep a tight leash to prevent your dog from biting unexpectedly.
In summary, you must establish authority and set clear rules in your home. Your dog needs to know what is acceptable and what is not. It must sit before eating, must use a designated spot for bathroom breaks, and must behave well during mealtime to avoid punishment. Dogs are not as fragile as they may seem; they are resilient and full of spirit. Treat them as you would a child, using a combination of rewards and discipline, but never excessively. Otherwise, don't complain about your dog's bad temperament; it's a result of your own indulgence.