| Most dog behavior is instinctual, but some is actually a | | | | turn into negative behavior if it is taken for granted |
| sign of dog anxiety. Digging, barking, even chasing | | | | from their owner. However, once they have |
| after anything that moves, are all behaviors dictated | | | | imprinted themselves to their pack family, they will |
| by basic instincts. Some of these behaviors are not | | | | defend their humans fiercely. This is due to a sense |
| acceptable in a domestic situation. For instance, a | | | | of territory. |
| digging behavior, while instinctual, is destructive and | | | | Territorial behavior is also a positive behavior that can |
| should be discouraged. However, some instinctual | | | | turn into a negative one if unchecked. The territorial |
| behaviors cannot be removed by any amount of | | | | instincts of dogs begin when they are only two to |
| training because they are necessary to the survival | | | | three weeks of age. They make their own territory |
| of the dog. The instinct to survive at any cost is one | | | | out of what they perceive as being theirs, including a |
| such behavior. All living things have the instinct that | | | | section of their puppy beds, a pillow or a particular |
| drives them to want to live, and to fight for that | | | | corner of a nest. This territory will get larger as the |
| right. These instincts range from procreation to | | | | dog grows into adulthood and will sometimes mean |
| simple survival. | | | | they will become territorial of their masters' home |
| If a dog is deprived of human contact, especially | | | | and yard. Many people think their dog is suffering |
| between the ages of three and ten weeks, it can | | | | from dog anxiety when they are, in fact, only |
| seriously hinder its social interaction with humans. It | | | | behaving as nature intended. |
| can also lead to aggression towards humans, as well | | | | Dogs can be trained to respect the boundaries made |
| as a common distrust. These issues compounded | | | | by man, however, they will still set their own |
| with a psychological state of mind known as 'pack | | | | boundary by using urine to mark what is theirs with |
| mentality' can cause serious behavioral issues. For | | | | their scent, and will re-mark them several times a |
| 'pack mentality' to take over, the dog needs only to | | | | week to make sure that the line is still there. Once a |
| be left alone for long periods of time with another | | | | dog has marked his territory, he will defend it and |
| dog. It will imprint with the other dog instead of its | | | | any intruding dog can do nothing to stop it. The |
| owner and will begin to act aggressively towards the | | | | intruder, no matter how large, is inferior to the dog |
| owners. A dog is a very social creature and really | | | | who has ownership. |
| only wants to please his owner. However, if the dog | | | | This territorial behavior can become quite negative |
| falls into the 'pack mentality', he will forget his owner | | | | when the dog is kept in a small fenced yard or pen, |
| and follow a new leader, a leader who feels more fair | | | | especially if kept with other dogs. This will definitely |
| to him. | | | | lead to dog anxiety of some description because of |
| Dogs have an incredible sense of justice and also | | | | the feeling of being trapped and having no territory. |
| seek leadership and a well defined social code. They | | | | This will cause the dog to act aggressively towards |
| will lose respect for their owners if they feel that | | | | other dogs, as well as humans. If a dog is kept in a |
| they are being allowed to do as they please and will | | | | small fenced yard there is a risk it will also be |
| begin to act out in a negative manner. This type of | | | | frightened of larger areas. This can cause dog |
| dog anxiety will cause the dog to look for a pack | | | | anxiety issues when taken out for walks in the park. |
| leader who is a protector, a provider and a leader | | | | It is best to ensure that your dog feels safe and |
| who enforces rules and discipline. Dogs find this in the | | | | happy and by having its own territory to protect, |
| wild and they search for it as domestic animals. This | | | | your dog feels a sense of belonging with a purpose. |
| is very instinctual positive behavior which can easily | | | | |