territory guarding

Territory guarding, the double-edged sword.

Part Three

Here is the double-edged sword conundrum: When dogs are aroused, wound up, overly excited (call it what you want) and frustrated, they become more violent, and are less able to control themselves. Under those circumstances they do a poor job discerning friend from foe. For the vast majority of us, most people entering our territory are "friends", which increases the risk that, if and when the dog does bite someone, it won't be a foe who gets bitten.

Dogs tend to guard territory without any help or encouragement from us. Allowing them to bark at the windows or the along the fences only creates problems.