Does your dog show an exaggerated protective instinct? – Case study

Quality training is very important when it comes to how your dog relates to his surroundings. We start from the chicken phase. At the same time, you need to take into account that this requires more energy consumption from you. In the early stages of life the dog learns through play and repetition.

During this process you need to ensure that the animal acquires a healthy level of trust and obedience towards you. Training large dogs requires additional effort. The dog must feel submissive to the owner and, at the same time, that he is given freedom of action. Owners often face some problems when it comes to the relationship they have with their pet. One of these cases is that of a lady, SN, who confessed to us the challenges she had to face regarding the relationship with her animal. He owns a Cane Corso dog. These animals are generally strong and dominant. The lady says that over time the dog has developed a growing attachment to dancing and an exaggerated protective instinct.

This is part of a community of animal lovers. Dogs and owners meet regularly in the park to socialize. Although there is familiarity, animals can sometimes have unpredictable reactions. The dog began to show its protective instincts by attacking other animals. A large dog is difficult to handle if it does not receive specialized training. Over time, the balance of power between owner and animal has become distorted so that the dog has become the dominant element in the relationship. During a spontaneous attack on another dog, the owner was injured.

The protective instinct began to manifest itself more and more evidently, so much so that every outing to the park became more and more tense. Cane Corso dogs need a lot of exercise to maintain good physical shape and alertness. In this case, however, the dog has become overly protective and any so-called danger to the owner ends in an attack. In these cases the dog may be denied access to the park as it represents a threat to other animals.

What should we do if we are faced with a situation similar to the one above?

It is as obvious as possible that a large dog cannot be controlled on a physical level alone. If attacked, its strength far exceeds human physical capabilities. Dog trainers underline the fact that the dog-owner relationship must be re-evaluated so that the animal develops obedience to the owner and responds promptly to his commands.

Therefore, new training must be based on learning the animal’s non-verbal language and anticipating its reactions. Psychological strategies are the only tools available to the owner when it comes to training an adult dog. The animal will have to learn to obey its owner and will be able to anticipate any aggressive manifestation.

Below are some strategies we can use to build a healthy relationship with the animal and reduce its tendencies of exaggerated protection and implicit aggression towards people and other animals:

1. Pay attention to nonverbal language

You can anticipate the animal’s behavior by observing its bodily reactions. If the dog prepares to attack, both body and head position will change. The animal will need energy to initiate aggressive action. If you go to the park, observe the animal’s reactions to the environment. When the animal develops obedience to its owner, it will be able to respond exclusively to his commands. This way, surprise attacks against people or other animals can be prevented in time.

2. The power ratio
The dog senses your inner state and reacts to it. In most cases, the owner’s thoughts and attitudes generate the animal’s behavior. The more the dog feels he has the ability to dominate you, the more rebellious and aggressive his behavior will be.

When you are afraid, the animal will become more and more aggressive. That’s why it’s important to subtly restore a correct power ratio. There are some strategies that will help you position yourself correctly in front of the animal so that it becomes obedient and carries out the commands received.

3. Progressive exposure to the environment

If aggressive episodes have occurred on the part of the animal, it is necessary to limit its exposure in the public environment for a while. The most important step is to recalibrate the relationship between you and the animal. It will be much easier to control its manifestations when you learn to anticipate them. Help your dog develop a healthy relationship with you.

In most cases, unpleasant episodes you experience with your dog are warning signs. Meditate on your inner state and the thoughts you project onto it. Allow time for the animal to properly assimilate the new relationship. As you gain confidence in the new relationship, you can reintegrate the animal step by step. During this process, the dog will feel less and less the need to protect you by attacking other animals around you.

A correct power relationship will help him relax and follow your commands. This phase can help you better understand the animal and the relationship you have developed with it and at the same time represents an excellent opportunity to deepen your connection with it. When the animal loses certain points of reference, it develops aggressive behaviors and exaggerated attitudes. Every experience is a way to learn and evolve.

Stay with your pet and help him behave in harmony both with you and with other animals and the environment. Any exaggerated instinct is a warning sign and must be handled with responsibility and attention on your part.