Understanding Canine Behavior
It's very important to properly identify your dog's behavior patterns to train with the most effectively humane ways and prevent the stressful situation these issues can create.
CANINE DRIVES
The four drives outlined by Volhard include prey, pack, fight, and flight reactions. click here for more info
The prey drive includes those behaviors that highlight hunting and foraging behaviors. Dogs that hunt and kill their toys (or objects of clothing, pillows, etc.), chase anything that moves, steal food, stalk the cat, and pounce on toys or other animals are probably high in prey drive.
The pack drive involves a dog's affinity for humans or other dogs. A dog with a high pack drive cannot get enough of people; he barks or cries when left alone, solicits play and petting, likes to touch, enjoys grooming, and loves the sound of his master's voice.
The fight drive is defensive and indicates a dog's self-confidence in stressful situations. A dog with a strong fight-defense drive stands his ground, walks high on his toes, guards his territory and his family, may guard his toys and food, tolerates petting and grooming but does not really enjoy these activities, enjoys tug-of-war, and seems ready to fight.
The flight drive is also a defense drive and indicates a dog's lack of self-confidence. A dog with high flight drive is unsure in new situations and may hide behind his person, is stressed when separated from his person, crawls on his belly or urinates when reprimanded, and may bite when cornered.
AGGRESSION (click here for tips on preventing aggression)
There are three general types of aggressive behavior in dogs: dominance aggression, fearful aggression, and protective (territorial) aggression as described by the Animal Health Channel:
Dominance aggression: The manifestation of inappropriate responses to specific situations related to control. It usually develops in dogs at social maturity, between 18 and 36 months of age. click here for more info
Fearful aggression: Fearfully aggressive dogs react inappropriately when they sense intrusion or feel cornered. click here for more info
Protective aggression: Dogs with protective or territorial aggression protect people or places regardless of whether or not there is an actual threat. Their response is inappropriate and potentially dangerous. Protective (directed at protecting people, other animals, and objects) and territorial (directed at protecting their house, yard, or room) behavior is appropriate in actual threats, such as attacks or break-ins, but is not appropriate when a threat does not exist. Protective or territorial aggression may be directed at strangers (e.g., delivery person) or someone not well known to the dog (e.g., owner’s friend). The dog may also inappropriately protect one household member from another (e.g., when children are roughhousing). Dogs without protective aggression usually give a low-level threat (bark or growl) then determine if the perceived threat is real based on the response they receive.
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SEPARATION ANXIETY (click here for anti-anxiety treatments available)
As sensitive and loyal as most Chinese Shar-Pei are, separation anxiety is a common stress problem identified by both rescuers and breeders. The combination of this predisposition, and the fact that most owners have no choice but to leave their dog alone at some point each day, can create potential situations of self-inflicted damage to themselves and your home if not properly handled. To help prevent this issue, please read these behavior modification steps by Canines of America:
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Plan Your Exit - When it is time to leave, just leave. Do not say "Good bye" to your dog with hugs and kisses. In fact, ignore your dog for five minutes before you go. Paying too much attention will make your dog feel more insecure when the attention is abruptly withdrawn.
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Leave a Distraction - Prepare a "Bye-Bye" bone. Purchase a sterilized; hollow bone from the pet store. Fill it with goodies such as dried liver pet treats, beef jerky, peanut butter, cheese or other things your dog really likes. Keep it hidden and take it out when you leave each day. Place it near your dog just before you close the door. When you arrive home, poke the goodies left in the bone out so your dog gets them. Then put the bone away. The bone only comes out when you leave. We are attempting to distract your dog with something that he will find interesting enough to concentrate on your leaving. Hopefully, he will appreciate the bone so much that he will look forward to it coming out in place of getting upset with your leaving.
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Confine Your Dog When You Are Away - Confining your dog during your times of absence has two positive results. First, a dog who is confined to a carrier or crate cannot do damage to your home. Secondly, a crate, when properly introduced, will act as a safe, comfortable den where the dog can relax. Limiting his movement also acts as an anxiety reducer for most dogs.
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Leave the Radio On - Tune a radio to a talk station, put it on in a room you are often in, the bedroom is usually a good choice, and close the door. The dog will hear the human voices from your room and may not feel so alone. I have had some clients tape record their own voices and play the recording in place of the radio program. Dogs know the sound of your voice all too well. And remember, since the dog is most anxious just after you leave, a one hour recording will most probably do.
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Practice This Training Routine - With most dogs, the hardest time for them is immediately after you leave. Their anxious (and sometimes destructive) behavior occurs within the first hour after they are left alone. It will be your job to reshape your dog's behavior through reinforcement training. Leave your dog out of his crate, put your coat on, walk to the door and leave. Come back in immediately. Greet your dog calmly. Tell him to sit. When he does, reinforce this behavior with a food treat he enjoys. Wait a few minutes and then repeat the exercise, this time remaining outside a few seconds longer. Continue practicing leaving and returning over the next few weeks, always remembering to return, greet your dog calmly and command him to sit before offering a treat.
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Establish Your Leadership - When a dog has a strong leader, it has a calming effect on him. He feels safe and taken care of. In the absence of a strong leader, your dog feels obligated to assume that position in the social hierarchy of the family pack. Since a leader must control all that goes on, his inability to control your leaving causes him stress and anxiety. I had a case with a male Lhasa Apso who would bite at an owner's leg each morning when she attempted to leave for work. He would exhibit dominant behavior to try to stop his owner from leaving which would then cause him stress which he wished to avoid. Obedience training is the best organized method of establishing yourself as a strong leader.
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Exercise Your Dog - A dog who is lacking exercise is more likely to have stress and tension. Tiring a dog out with a long walk, run or with play goes a long way in reducing stress.
For more detailed content on Animal Behavior, please visit this site.
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