Correcting Obsessive Dog Behaviour to Reduce Stress and Chaos

Correcting obsessive dog behaviour can be a challenging task, but with the right approach, you can reduce stress and chaos in your home. Research suggests that obsessive dog behaviour is often a result of underlying anxiety or boredom.

Identifying the root cause of your dog's obsession is key to correcting the behaviour. According to a study, dogs with separation anxiety are more likely to develop obsessive behaviour.

A simple change in your daily routine can make a big difference. For example, increasing exercise and playtime can help reduce boredom and anxiety in dogs.

By understanding the triggers and underlying causes of your dog's behaviour, you can develop a tailored plan to correct the obsession.

Prey drive is a natural behavior in dogs, left over from their wolf ancestry. It's a primal instinct that triggers a strong desire to chase, and some breeds have a higher predatory chase drive than others, especially working, hunting, and herding breeds.

Consider reading: Dog Breeds Watch Dogs

This behavior can be fun for a dog, triggering the pleasure centers of their brains, but it can also become a problem if it's too strong. Chasing small animals, cars, bikes, or other moving objects can be a nightmare for owners.

Some common effects of high prey drive include chasing, hunting, biting, and killing cats and small animals, focusing on and stalking other animals, and an inability to focus on anything but moving things.

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Prey drive is a real phenomenon, and it's not just a fancy term for "my dog likes to chase things." In fact, it's a natural behavior that's left over from a dog's wolf ancestry. Chasing is fun for dogs and triggers the pleasure centers of their brains, making it a hard habit to break.

Some breeds, especially working, hunting, and herding breeds, have higher predatory chase drives than others. This means they're more prone to chasing and may require extra training and exercise to keep them occupied.

Prey drive can manifest in different ways, from chasing after a tennis ball to stalking other animals. If left unchecked, it can lead to negative behaviors like chasing cats and small animals, focusing on and stalking other animals, and even aggression towards people.

Here are some common signs of high prey drive in dogs:

Arousal, or a "red cloud of energy", can also contribute to prey drive. This state of uncontrolled excitement can lead to aggression and major destruction, making it essential to recognize the signs and take steps to manage it.

Prey drive is not just a matter of a dog's instincts; it's also linked to the chemicals activated in their brains. These chemicals have little to do with thinking, making it difficult for dogs to control their behavior when they're in an aroused state.

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Understanding Prey Drive is a complex topic, and one aspect of it is resource guarding. This is when dogs become possessive of certain items, like food or toys, and will defend them aggressively. Don't make excuses for your dog and allow possessiveness of objects that "belong" to him.

Resource guarding is not okay, and it's not just about the item itself, but also about teaching self-control. People should always be allowed to take anything from the dog. For example, just because a tennis ball "belongs" to the dog, that doesn't give the dog permission to snap at someone who tries to take it.

To stop resource guarding, you'll need the right tools. High-value treats are a great place to start. I recommend the brand Wellness Well Bites when working with your dog on "drop", "leave it", and trading them.

Here are some of the best training tools to stop resource guarding:

A treat pouch is also essential for holding all your treats during training sessions. This will keep you organized and make the process much smoother.

Dogs can be possessive of pretty much anything, causing them to guard food, toys, bones, sticks, a dog bed or even another dog or a person.

Signs of possessiveness in dogs include a stiff posture, a cold stare, or a growl if someone approaches. Other signs to watch for include running away to hide with the item, raised hackles, licking their lips, raising their lips and showing teeth, and crouching or moving slowly.

Possessiveness can range from barely noticeable to very serious aggression. Sometimes it’s only between other dogs and sometimes dogs are possessive to people as well.

Dogs that guard their owners often act out of fear, feeling more confident or powerful when they’re leaning into their owner or sitting in the owner’s lap.

Here are some common signs of possessiveness in dogs:

To prevent a dog's possessiveness, don't allow a dog to resource guard items that “belong” to him. Be careful not to make excuses for your dog and allow possessiveness of objects that “belong” to him.

Teaching basic commands like stay, sit, come, and leave it can help curb your dog's prey behavior. These commands are essential for your dog's obedience and should be practiced regularly.

To teach your dog to leave it, give the command when they don't already have an object in their mouth. Reward them for showing self-control and not touching the object. With practice, you can use "leave it" in various contexts.

You can also use the command "drop" to teach your dog to release an object. Start by practicing the trading technique, where you exchange a treat for the object in your dog's mouth. As they become more willing to drop the object, add the command "drop." Reward them with treats to keep them interested.

Redirecting your dog's behavior is crucial when they start fixating on your cat. If you catch them trying to lunge or chase, tell them "no" and put them in a room by themselves for a few minutes. Redirect their attention immediately by telling them to come or leave it, and praise them when they obey.

Using a clicker can be a helpful tool in teaching your dog to drop items. The clicker marks the exact moment your dog performs the correct behavior, and they learn to associate it with receiving a treat. This method has been effective for some dog owners, especially when combined with positive reinforcement.

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Desensitization and counterconditioning are powerful techniques for correcting obsessive dog behavior, particularly when trading techniques aren't working.

This type of training takes several weeks to work, requiring a lot of patience, so don't hesitate to get some advice from a local trainer.

Behaviorist Dr. Patricia McConnell has an excellent post on how this desensitization and classical conditioning process works in dogs.

To set up a desensitization plan, you'll need to present the trigger to your dog every day and work to desensitize them.

For example, if your dog is possessive of rawhides, you'll need to present rawhides to them every day.

Here's a step-by-step guide to desensitizing your dog:

Practice just 5 minutes a day over many weeks, and remember to be patient with the process.

Redirecting your dog's behavior early on can make a big difference in curbing aggressive behavior. Catch it early and redirect it, especially if your dog loves chasing cats.

Try to catch your dog fixating on your cat and redirect his attention immediately by telling him to come or leave it. Praise him and give him treats when he turns and obeys you.

If your dog is calm around your cat from the beginning, reward that behavior too. Over time, give him a longer leash to work with.

It's also a good idea to make sure your cat always has a way to escape, just in case. Consider using cat trees, cat condos, tall furniture, and cat shelves as escape routes.

Some trainers suggest giving your dog tiny bites of a treat every time he's around your cat to help him develop a positive association.

Creating a calm environment can also help calm an overexcited dog. Distract them, teach them a calming cue, massage them, speak in a calm voice, take them for a walk, or give them a break.

You can also try to remove the stimulation or counteract it when your dog gets excited or anxious.

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Dogs can become overly attached to items like toys or rawhides, leading to possessive aggression. This behavior can be decreased by suggesting the dog leave the item alone.

Anticipating something, like a walk or a treat, fires up the seeking circuit in the brain, releasing pleasurable chemicals like dopamine. This can lead to overexcitement and addiction-like behavior.

Overexcitement can cause chaos, especially if your dog becomes addicted to the dopamine rush. Some dogs might eagerly anticipate certain situations, like seeing another dog behind a fence, and become barking and lunging.

If your dog is overly excited, they might be anxious and alarmed, or they might be enjoying the dopamine rush. Either way, it can be challenging to calm them down, and they might not respond to commands to stop barking.

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If your dog guards or refuses to let go of certain items like toys, tennis balls or rawhides, the following suggestions should help decrease the behavior.

To address possessive aggression, it's essential to understand that dogs often view their favorite items as a source of comfort and security.

By redirecting your dog's attention away from the item and providing a suitable alternative, you can help them understand that it's okay to share.

Dogs that exhibit possessive aggression may benefit from desensitization exercises, where they're gradually exposed to the item while receiving rewards for calm behavior.

A consistent training routine and positive reinforcement can go a long way in reducing aggression and teaching your dog to share their belongings.

Overexcitement can cause chaos, especially if your dog is addicted to the dopamine rush that comes with it. This can lead to behaviors like barking at the fence, waiting at the window for a bird to appear, or pulling on the leash to get to a situation that triggers excitement.

Some dogs become so accustomed to the thrill of barking that they'll do it even if there's no other dog around, and whole steaks won't even tempt them until they've finished barking. This is a clear sign that your dog is hooked on the excitement.

The anticipation of a certain situation, like a dog barking behind a fence, can be so strong that your dog will pull you all the way to the house to get to it. And once they're there, they'll bark and lunge at the fence, completely absorbed in the excitement.

This behavior can be startling and annoying, especially if you're trying to calm your dog down. But it's not just about the noise – it's about the underlying addiction to the dopamine rush that's driving the behavior.

Dogs can be possessive of pretty much anything, causing them to guard food, toys, bones, sticks, a dog bed or even another dog or a person.

Signs of possessiveness in dogs include a stiff posture, a cold stare, or a growl if someone approaches. Some dogs will follow through with a snap or a bite if they think a dog or person is trying to take the item.

Other signs to watch for include running away to hide with the item, raised hackles, licking their lips, raising their lips and showing teeth, and crouching or moving slowly.

Possessiveness can range from barely noticeable to very serious aggression. Sometimes it’s only between other dogs and sometimes dogs are possessive to people as well.

To help your dog overcome possessiveness, you can start by helping them achieve a high level of obedience. Dogs that come when called, stay when told, and walk nicely on a leash have a higher level of self-control and respect for their owners.

Here are some key obedience skills to focus on:

If your dog has a problem with possessiveness, it's essential to work on their basic obedience first. If you need help, it's okay to attend an obedience class or work one-on-one with a trainer.

Preparing mentally for situations that trigger your dog's obsessive behavior is crucial. It's like practicing a smooth move over and over again, which can take a lot of the impact away.

Just imagine your dog getting overexcited because a jogger is coming up from behind, and you're not sure what to do. That's why it's essential to ask yourself how you'd react in such a scenario.

Practice makes perfect, so try to anticipate and prepare for common triggers like another excitable dog barking at your dog. This will help you stay calm and respond effectively.

Pulling a u-turn or moving to the side of the road can be an effective way to calm your dog down.

If you're dealing with a dog's resource guarding, it's best to hire a professional trainer to help you address the issue.

Aggression is a serious concern, and a professional trainer can evaluate your dog and provide personalized advice for your unique situation.

A good trainer will observe you and your dog in a neutral, non-emotional way, which can help identify things that may have gone unnoticed by the owner.

Even experienced dog owners, like myself, can benefit from consulting with a trainer for additional ideas and insights.

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