Caring For Your Pet Naturally and Holistically
Aug 8 2010
Undesirable and abnormal behavior in dogs is a result of inept training, lack of nutrition and inadequate exercise. Aggressive dog behavior is perhaps one such abnormal behavior that annoys dog owners the most.
Although in certain cases dog aggression may be a direct result of an underlying medical condition, your handling may be playing an important role in encouraging aggressive behavior in your dog. If you ignore or encourage aggression, the dog is most likely to presume that it as acceptable.
Behavior issues like separation anxiety, unnecessary barking and fear of the leash or a car ride are far removed from aggressive dog behavior that may include dog biting and refusal to submit to discipline. Some of these behaviors ultimately lead to further aggression as the dog starts to assume leadership of the pack. Dogs may have evolved to live peacefully with humans but they are unable to shed their genetic traits.
Dogs start to consider family members as part of the pack. It is only natural for the dog to try and assume leadership since survival and access to the best of the available resources depends upon who can dominate the most. Dominating a pack obviously requires aggression. So when you see your dog’s aggression increasing, you can assume that this is a manifestation of dominance related aggression.
Jul 27 2010
Although the treatment of pet aggression may involve practically similar procedures, there are basic differences between dog aggression and feline aggression. One of the most common forms of feline aggressions is actually termed as play aggression. It is seen mostly in younger cats up to two years.
Cats learn feline behaviors during the weaning period. The mother cat and other older members of the litter play an important role in this natural learning process. It is during this period that they understand to play, stalk, kill prey and most of all, explore and investigate new objects.
This is also the time that they learn that they should not bite hard enough to hurt. Cats that have not had the opportunity to socialize enough during the early period are most likely to become more nervous and indulge in aggressive behaviors, much to the annoyance of the owners.
Inherently, a cat gets accustomed to new surroundings easily. However, generations of breeding friendly cats has resulted in the suppression of the inherent feral trait of caution. This has led to a lack of self confidence in cats. Like most animals, cats are also wary of unfamiliar noises. The daily whirring sound of a vacuum cleaner can also lead to nervousness and fearful hiding. Nervousness limits her natural tendency to investigate the disturbance and get familiar to the noise.
Jul 10 2010
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Jul 5 2010
Just as you teach appropriate behavior to your children, dogs also need to be trained to behave in an acceptable manner. The difference however is the age at which the training is most effective. While a one year old human baby can hardly be expected to learn more than toilet training, a year old dog is considered to be a teenager. That means dog training should start as soon as he opens up his eyes and starts to recognize the members of what he will later consider as his ‘pack’.
Most dogs and puppies are lovable creatures, adorable, affectionate and sweet. At the same time puppies love to play and bite each other all the time. If they spend enough time in the litter they learn to control themselves. The reaction of other dogs in the litter ensures that. It is experience that teaches them what is acceptable and what is not.
It is trust and respect rather than reprimand and punishment that inhibit dog biting . If the dog does not learn something, the fault lies more with the trainer than with the dog. Hitting, kicking or slapping is not likely to restrict your pup’s biting. He may continue to try and bite you and loving you at the same time. Trust and respect comes from patience and not from punishment.
Jun 16 2010
Most people bring home a cat or a kitten expecting a friendly cat that will become a companion and lie cozily in the lap. It is unlikely that a cat will be confident enough to adjust easily to a new home and people. However, apart from the initial short period that the cat may take to get used to a new environment, most cats adjust easily in new homes.
On the other hand, some cats remain fearful of the new surroundings despite patient efforts of the cat owner. Su situation may be the start of a problem. If the fearful and anxious situation continues you can be sure that you have landed yourself with a stressed and unhappy cat.
A fearful or defensive cat is likely to resort to aggressive behavior like fighting, biting and scratching. Understanding cat behavior is critical to handle an aggressive cat or to stop cat biting behavior. Unlike treating aggressive dog behavior , which requires re-training, handling a mean cat may require a little bit more than that.
However, before you try anything it is recommended that you take precautionary measures and trim the cat’s claws. Trimming the claws should actually be a regular practice since the feral wild traits can manifest anytime.
May 16 2010
You may train your dog to perfection but it is difficult to remove all basic traits of canine nature. Domestication and evolutionary changes have converted a basically aggressive species into lovable and sweet animals. A well trained dog will give you his unconditional love and affection. But an action like this is no guarantee that he will not have an aggressive encounter with you at least once in his lifetime. Dog biting statistics are a standing testimony to that.
Consider the options that a dog has when he is upset, annoyed or approached when in fear of a noise, stranger or situation. He can only growl, bark and ultimately bite. Howsoever you may train your dog unexpected situations are liable to arise, which may induce the dog to bite. If there is a need to re-train your dog that is showing signs of aggression, there is an equally compelling need for learning how to protect your family and you from dog biting.
A friendly and a sweet-natured dog can potentially turn into a raving maniac if he sees a change in demeanor of a person approaching him. If you crouch or move in an unpredictable manner or try to touch his head without first establishing familiarity, you are actually inviting the dog to show aggressive dog behavior, which comes to him naturally.
Apr 16 2010
Understanding dog behavior is important before arriving at any conclusions about the reasons behind certain types of behavior. Much as humans feel offended at certain things and resort to aggression, dogs too respond similarly. Just as certain foods do not suit humans, there are many foods that should not be fed to dogs.
If you continue to feed your dog with a diet that disturbs his system, he is liable to show his irritation in his behavior. Persistent feeding of unsuitable diet ultimately leads to aggressive dog behavior .
Dogs are not obligate carnivores and can be often seen hunting for roots and fruits. Dogs evolved from wolves. In the wild if you see wolves and dogs eating an herbivore prey that they have killed, you may notice they first go for the stomach area of the carcass. That is where they will find roots and leaves and berries. Many times you can also see dogs eating grass.
Left to him, a dog will eat only what he can digest and pass easily. Domesticated dogs do not have that option available to them. They have to consume what they are fed by dog owners. It is a known fact that commercial dog food contains synthetic preservative, coloring and fillers.
Apr 6 2010
Unlike dog aggression , which basically occurs due to the inherent dominant nature of dogs, feline aggression is most of the times a playful activity. Cats seldom indulge in aggression without provocation. But they are likely to react aggressively if provoked too much. A fearful cat is more likely to try the escape route and hide behind a sofa. Biting is not a natural response that it has.
But it is not uncommon to hear about cats losing their homes due to aggressive behaviors like biting. Physical distress and fear are factors that can drive cats to indulge in biting in a manner that it provokes aggressive dog behavior .
However, it is only when aggression is encouraged or ignored that a cat tends to behave aggressively. A delivery man, who hides or runs away on seeing a household cat that shows aggressive body language, is sure to instill enough confidence even in an otherwise docile cat. He will remember it and every time a delivery man comes knocking he is liable to face an increasingly aggressive cat every time.
Feb 3 2010
Over time dogs have learnt to live with humans. Most of the times, they are docile and lend themselves to petting. They also obey commands, if trained well. There are instances where dogs have served well as companions to senior citizens and handicapped individuals.
A well-trained dog can even run errands for you. At the same time, dogs can be unpredictable too. Although dog aggression is considered as one of the abnormal behaviors in domesticated dogs, an animal is after all an animal. Dogs evolved from wolves and retain some of their aggressive traits.
They are bound to respond to their genes and behave in accordance to them at times. However, the aggressive trait is manageable in most cases and if proper care is taken you can totally eliminate the possibility of aggression in your dog.
Aggressive dog behavior is mostly caused by the following factors:
* A medical condition.
* Genetic predisposition towards dominating the pack.
* A fear factor.
* Maternal fears for safety of the litter.
* Redirected aggression.
* Inter-male rivalry and territorial aggression.
Nov 30 2009
Dog biting is something that is very likely if a dog is in an aggression mode. Aggressive dog behavior is clearly characterized by ominous or threatening behavior. It can lead to injury of other animals and even human beings, including family members.
There are various factors that influence aggression in dogs. Dog aggression can result from some underlying medical condition, inept handling, fear, anxiety or an inherent desire to dominate the pack. Dominance related aggression in dogs is actually the most common type of dog aggression in domesticated dogs. If dominance aggression surfaces, obedience training may be needed all over again.
It is difficult to identify dominance as the root cause of aggressive behavior since your dog may otherwise show signs of affection. However, it must be noted that given a chance he may assume leadership and try and dominate. This can result in an expression of displeasure even during normal actions like putting the collar on or petting him on his head.
As pack animals, dogs have an instinct to dominate. Since dogs were domesticated from wolves, they have retained pack mentality where survival depends upon leadership. . Leadership also determines who gets the best of what is available including mating rights.