Why Is My Dog Reactive or Aggressive Towards Other Dogs?

Dogs that spend time interacting with people and other dogs are known to be happy, healthy canines. If you take your dog to the park for some much-needed socialization, you want him or her to play nicely with the other pets. But it doesn’t always work that way. Some dogs are aggressive or reactive towards other dogs. In addition to being embarrassing and stressful, this type of behavior can also result in injuries.

Fortunately, there are ways to manage your dog’s reactions towards other dogs. This article will suggest ways you can fix aggressive dog behaviors.

Why Are Dogs Aggressive/Reactive Towards Other Dogs?

There are a few reasons why your dog may be aggressive/reactive towards another dog. These include the following.

Abuse and Neglect Including Abuse from Another Dog: Dogs that have experienced trauma in their lifetime, whether it be from a past owner, a human being, or another dog, may feel like they are being threatened when a dog approaches them. They may react with aggressive behavior.

Insufficient Socialization: If a dog doesn’t play with other dogs often, they may not know how to play properly. They may think they are being playful when they are being aggressive. Or the lack of socialization may cause them to misunderstand another dog’s advances.

Unaltered: If your dog has not been spayed or neutered, they may display aggressive/reactive behavior. It can also lead to health complications.

Fear/Anxiety: If your dog has an anxious personality, they may get scared by other dogs and act out to protect themselves.

A Desire to Protect Their Owner or Territory: Some dogs may think another dog approaching them infringes on their territory or attack their owner when they just want to play.

Painful Medical Condition: When a dog is in pain, they tend to act out.

Tips to Stop Aggressive Dog Behavior

Here are some suggestions to help you stop or mitigate aggressive dog behavior.

Treating Medical Conditions That Cause Vulnerability

If your dog’s behavior is caused by a medical condition such as a physical injury or illness or a mental issue like anxiety, you may want to take them to a vet. A vet can provide treatments for physical conditions, and there are also medications that can be prescribed for dog anxiety.

Encourage Exercise

Just like exercise can reduce stress in humans, it can also improve the mood of your canine. It will make them less anxious, so that they feel comfortable playing with other dogs. It will also make them less depressed, reduce destructive tendencies, and help them maintain a healthy weight.

There are several things you can do to give your dog the physical activity he needs including playing fetch, hiking, doing obedience course work, having her run up and down stairs, and much more. Putting our pup on the treadmill with supervision can help them burn energy and stay fit physically and mentally.

Understand How Your Can Sense Your Fears and Anxieties Around Other Dogs

Dogs may become aggressive because they feel they need to protect their owner when other dogs are around. The owner must become aware of when their dog gets into aggressive mode and use commands to prevent incidents before they happen. It is good idea to keep healthy small treats for such occasions like when you go on a walk.

Have Your Dog Wear a Muzzle

If you think your dog is aggressive enough that he may harm another dog or a person, you may need to put a comfortable muzzle on him during playtime. It’s best to have professional supervision.  Especially, the first time you put a muzzle on your dog to ensure you put it on correctly and that your dog is comfortable.

Consult a Professional Trainer to Implement Behavior Modification

You may want to call a trainer in to reduce a dog’s reactive behavior towards others. The trainer will assess the dog’s reactive patterns and teach them commands to control their responses in social situations.

How K9U Chicago’s Daycare for Aggressive Dogs Can Help

If you are having difficulty getting your dog to play nicely with others, K9U Chicago can help. In addition to providing training classes, we also offer a Group Social Rehab for dogs.

The trainers in our Group Social Rehab understand how to engage with each dog and what it takes to provide them with mental and physical fulfillment. They will evaluate your dog and put them in a monitored group according to their individual needs. If the dog does not fit into any group, they will get one-on-one time with the trainer via the Individual Activity service.

Reactive or aggressive dog behavior towards other dogs or humans can be difficult to deal with. Fortunately, there are ways to teach your dog how to socialize and play nicely. What training methods do you use to ensure your dog is always behaves well?

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/why-is-dog-aggressive-towards-other-dogs/

Are There Dogs That Don’t Smell or Shed? | Hypoallergenic Dogs

 

Do you love dogs but dislike the way they smell or shed? For some people, this can be enough to make them decide to continue living pet-free.  These factors can be especially challenging to individuals with allergies and those who live in small spaces that they want to keep smelling fresh.

Fortunately, there are plenty of hypoallergenic dog breeds that are non-odorous and non-shedding. This article will delve deeper into the topic so you can determine which dogs are right for you.

Are There Non-Shedding Dogs?

All dogs lose a little bit of hair, but some don’t shed as heavily as others. These dogs are less likely to cause allergic reactions.

Many people say they are allergic to pet hair. But this isn’t exactly true.  They are allergic to dander that pet hair collects. When dogs shed, the dander can get into the air and all over the home making allergies worse.

If a dog doesn’t shed as much, the dander stays in one place, on the dog’s body. This minimizes allergic reactions.

Are There Dogs that Don’t Smell?

Any dog can produce an odor. But there are certain dog features that contribute to odors more than others. These include the following:

• Floppy Ears: Dogs with floppy ears are more likely to develop ear infections that can produce a strong odor.
• Skin Folds: Moisture and heat can build up in skin folds causing bacteria and yeast to grow. In the summer months, it can be so severe that it can cause a foul smell and weeping at the affected areas.
• Sebaceous Glands: Sebaceous glands are found on the entire surface of a dog’s body. They produce oil to make your dog’s coat shiny. But if an excess is secreted, it can produce an odor. Dogs with heavier sebaceous gland secretion will be more likely to smell.
• Thick Coats: Canines with thick coats are more likely to get bacterial or skin infections that can be foul smelling.
• Skin Conditions: Allergies, fungus, parasites, skin inflammation and hormonal imbalances can lead to an excess of yeast or bacteria that can cause odors.

What Types of Dog Breeds Don’t Smell or Shed - Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds?

If a non-odorous, hypoallergenic dog breed sounds good to you, here are just some of the kinds you can choose from.

Bichon Frise

A Bichon Frise has white curly hair that makes them look like little puffballs. While you might think this would lead to excessive shedding, the opposite is true. They are both non-shedding and non-smelling dogs.

However, they do need some care. You will have to brush them 2-3 times a week to keep their fur from matting. You will also need to take them to a groomer for a bath and manicure. 

Maltese

Maltese are another breed of small white dogs. They are slightly taller than Bichon Frise and their hair is straight. They are playful and friendly making them the perfect pet for families with small children.

While Maltese do not smell or shed excessively, you will have to care for their lovely hair. Brush them regularly to keep their hair from matting. Follow up with a spa treatment that includes shampoo and conditioner.

Poodle

A poodle may have an impressive head of hair, but believe it or not, this breed does not shed or smell. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes so you can get one that’s short, tall, black, white, gray or even apricot. They are intelligent and easily trained making them great show dogs.

Brush their coats regularly and take them to a groomer to ensure they always look their best.

Goldendoodle or Labradoodle

Is it a retriever? Is it a poodle? No, it’s a goldendoodle or labradoodle

Goldendoodles and labradoodles have all the best characteristics of retrievers (Labrador Retrievers or Golder Retrievers) and poodles. And when it comes to odor and shedding, they take after their poodle ancestors. They have the elegance and grace of the poodle and the loving, friendly attitude of the retriever. You will need to brush your doodle often to ensure their fur does not get matted.

Schnauzers

Schnauzers are known for their boxy faces, thick eyebrows, shaggy beards and gray and white hair. They are friendly and lovable and come in all sizes. They do not smell or shed. Shedding will be even more minimal if they are brushed regularly.

The dog will require regular spa visits to ensure their coats stay well-groomed and healthy.

Conclusion

It’s great if you can find a dog that doesn’t smell or shed, but a well-behaved dog is always a good dog. K9U Chicago can provides training that ensures your dog is obedient as well as grooming tips that keep shedding and odors to a minimum.

We offer a variety of services including our Dog Daycare Program and our Dog Boarding School.

Bring your dog to our dog daycare to give him the stimulation he needs. He will get to socialize with other dogs so he’ll be less likely to get depressed and engage in destructive behavior. He will have access to thousands of feet of play area, and we can even provide dog transportation (pick-up or drop-off) services to daycare or boarding.

Our K9U Chicago Boarding is the place to bring your dog when you go out of town. She will stay in a safe, comfortable area and have plenty of time for play and socialization. He will be taken care of by a well-trained and caring staff.

We all love our dogs no matter what characteristics they might have. K9U will ensure they stay happy, healthy and well trained. Contact us to be the best doggie parents you can be.

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/dogs-that-dont-smell-or-shed-hypoallergenic-dogs/

How to Keep Your Dog from Getting Bored with the Daily Grind

 

When a person is bored, they can do just about anything to stimulate themselves. They can hop on the phone, browse the internet, turn on a movie, read a book, engage in a hobby and more. What can a dog do when they get bored? Not much unless we help them out.  Dogs that are bored often will get depressed. They may engage in destructive or hyperactive behavior such as chewing up the furniture, jumping on people and more. They may even try to run away from home.  So, what can you do to prevent doggie boredom? Here are some dog boredom busters that may provide the perfect solution.

Best Dog Boredom Busters Games

There are several games you can play with your pooch to prevent dog boredom. Here are a few that are suggested.

• Hide Treats Around the House: One idea is to hide treats around your house and have your dog find them. Start searching with them so they realize it’s a game.
• Tug of War: Tug of war can be played with old towels or bed sheets. Pull your side while having your dog bite down on the other and see who’s the strongest.
• Fetch: Fetch is an oldie but a goodie. It will give your dog the stimulation they need.

Best Toys to Prevent Boredom in Your Dog

Dog toys can be used to prevent boredom, but some may work better than others. Here are a few that are recommended.

• Interactive Toys: Interactive toys are great because they will give your dog incentive to keep playing. King Wobbler is one of the better ones. It will pop back up after your dog pushes it down providing ongoing excitement.
• Balls: Dogs love chasing around balls. The Jolly Ball is a good choice because it’s more durable than other balls and will hold up better during dog play.
• DIY Toys: There are tons of dog toys you can make at home. For example, you can slit a tennis ball and fill it with kibble. Your dog will spend hours trying to get to their treats.
• Chew Toys: Chew toys are a great way for dogs to relieve boredom, anxiety and frustration. Young dogs use them to reduce teething pain while older dogs can benefit from the toys’ jaw strengthening and teeth cleaning properties. While there are many chew toys available on the market, deer antlers or antler substitutes are an excellent option due to their exceptional durability.

Note, it’s best to keep changing up the toys your dog is playing with, so they don’t get bored of the same ones.

Outings That Relieve Doggie Boredom

An outing is great for relieving doggie boredom. Here are a few ideas for added excitement.

• Change the Blocks You Walk Down: Dogs can get bored with the same routine day after day. If you go to the park often, try taking different routes to keep your pooch entertained.
• Arrange a Play Date for Your Dog: Hanging out with a friend will give your dog much-needed social stimulation.
• Take Them to a Lake or Kiddie Pool: Dogs love the water. Take yours to a lake or fill a kiddie pool and hang out on your porch if there are no bodies of water nearby.

Put Your Dog to Work

If your dog is bored, why not put them to work? They can be taught to clean up, load laundry baskets, carry wood to a woodpile and more. This works to relieve doggie boredom while making the dog feel happier and more confident.

Train Your Dog

Teaching your dog new tricks will stimulate them physically and mentally. You can work on basic commands like lay down, sit, shake and stay. If your dog is already well trained, you can get into more advanced commands like lay down, hide and go seek, sing, kiss and high five.

Agility training and noise work training are good options too. Agility training involves the dog weaving through an obstacle course and stopping for set amounts of time. It’s exhilarating and it promotes bonding between the pet and owner.

Noise work involves using a tool that emits a strong, sharp noise to stop your dog from engaging in unwanted behavior.

How K9U Can Help Relieve Dog Boredom

Let’s face it, not everyone can be home to stimulate their dogs as much as they would like to be stimulated. If you feel like your dog is suffering from boredom, K9U can help. You can take them to our classes and activities which include Daycare, Puppy and Tweenie Time and individual Activities for Dogs.

Dogs that attend our Daycare will have access to thousands of feet of indoor and outdoor play areas. They will get to interact with other dogs. We even provide dog transportation services in support of your busy schedule.

Our Puppy and Tweenie Time is for younger and older puppies. Our puppy classes give dogs 1 to 6 months old a chance to socialize. Our tweenie classes are for 6- to 12-month-old dogs. They let the dogs that bonded in puppy classes stay in touch. And the best news is that the first 3 sessions are free so that you can give it a try. Your pup will love you for it.

Individual Activities for Dogs can also relieve boredom. Dogs get one on one attention from trainers and dog handlers.  They can engage in activities like fetching, running on the treadmill, agility training and more.

Doggie boredom is not good for the dog or the people around them. K9U can prevent dog boredom providing a happier, healthier situation for the whole family. Call us to find out how we can help your furry friend achieve a higher quality of life.

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/tips-to-keep-your-dog-from-getting-bored/