General Information
In the context of dogs being a ‘pest’, this does of course have two levels: To the owner and, more typically, to other people (e.g. neighbours). Of course people own dogs because they want to and they bring huge joy into their lives. However, this can include a degree of aggravation which is inevitable initially, and often on an on-going basis.
Barking
Barking is a natural form of behaviour for a dog. A dog that barks to give warning of an intruder or a danger, or to communicate his joy to his or her owner, is simply expressing their emotional state. However, if your dog forms the habit of barking at the slightest provocation, this obviously becomes distressing. Not only to you, but actually to your dog as well, which can get into a ‘more or less’ constant state of excitement and becomes unable to concentrate on other activities. When barking becomes excessive, it is therefore necessary to re-train your dog.
We all have the right to own a pet, but we are clearly responsible for making sure that our companion is not a nuisance to others. If you are a dog owner, imagine what neighbours must feel when they are subjected to incessant noise from a barking dog: Elderly people who have a rest during the day; students who need to concentrate to prepare for examinations; families with young children they need to get to sleep. These problems can sometimes grow so serious that the owner believes they have no option but to get rid of their dog (which is generally unnecessary as steps can be taken to significantly reduce the problem).
Understanding dog behaviour
Territorial aggression
As descendants of wolves, dogs often retain a significant amount of instinct to defend a territory they consider their own. Territorial aggression often manifests itself as aggression towards humans, since we are the most likely beings to enter what a dog thinks of as its own territory. They will only show aggressive tendencies if they perceive the 'trespasser' as a threat and, when this happens, their primary objective is to chase away that threat.
Dominance aggression
In the wild, wolves operate in a strict hierarchical order where all members of the pack have a rank and status. A higher rank brings improved benefits in terms of food and eating priority, sleeping locations and mating opportunities. This social order generally ensures harmony within the pack until, that is, one member believes they should be of a rank higher to another member.
Our domestic dogs retain much of this natural instinct and most aggressive behavioural problems in the home can often be attributed to instability in the hierarchical order. Remember that your dog sees itself as a member of the same pack as the rest of your family members. If they perceive that another member is weaker than themselves, they may display aggressive behaviour as a means to take control and improve their ranking.
It is essential that your dog learns to be content as the lowest ranking member of the pack. There are many tips on how you can achieve this in a positive way.
Food aggression
Food aggression occurs when a dog feels a need to be aggressive in order to protect something which is vital to them – food. If a dog or puppy has been deprived of food at some time in their lives, or perhaps had to fight over communal food bowls, it may be more prone to food aggression.
Pain induced aggression
When a dog is in pain, it is often inevitable to inadvertently cause further pain when moving them or trying to help. It is not unusual for dogs to bite in these circumstances, so extra care should be taken when handling dogs with illnesses or injuries.
Understanding a dog’s state of mind
Happy
You’ll know a happy dog when you see one because his ears relax and his tail wags. When a dog is in a good mood, he may jump around in front of you or even roll on his back, which means ‘come and play’.
Unwell
When a dog has a droopy tail and ears, it’s a sure sign that he is unwell. As a result, he may become bad tempered.
Grumpy
Dogs can become a bit grumpy if they get too hot. A grumpy dog will growl or bare his teeth if approached.
Attention seeking
Dogs don’t like to be ignored. When a lonely dog wants to be noticed, he’ll come and sit next to you and he may put his face close to yours.
Frightened
A dog that’s scared flattens his ears and lowers his tail between his legs and avoids making eye contact.
Angry
When a dog is angry, he growls fiercely and shows his teeth. The hairs on his back will generally stand up.
Hints and tips
- Never disturb a dog when he is sleeping, eating or tied up.
- Always hold out your hand to a dog and let it come to you, rather than approach the dog yourself.
- Never tease a dog: dogs don't like to be bullied any more than people and they may retaliate as a result.
- Always stay calm around dogs. If you feel threatened walk away calmly, and certainly don't run.
- Never make sudden movements or loud noises near a dog.
- Never stare directly into a dog's eyes. In dog language this is aggressive behaviour.
- Never scream or run when you are with a dog, as this may make the dog over-excited and jumpy.
- Always remember that some dogs are unfriendly by nature.
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