Territorial Behavior

Like many other instinctive canine behaviors, territorial behavior can become inappropriately intense. It can escalate into excessive barking, urine marking inside the house, and indiscriminate attacks on visitors (both human and canine).

Domesticated dogs typically define their "turf" as the house and yard. But a dog's concept of territory doesn't necessarily end at the fence posts. Some dogs consider any areas they have marked with urine as theirs. For example, if your dog marks the route of your nightly walk, it may view the whole block as home turf, challenging any dogs that invade the space. Territorial behavior usually intensifies as a dog nears it own yard and house, which represent den, dinner, and security. On the other hand, dogs that fiercely defend their own turf are often very friendly when on neutral ground.

A dog delivers "keep out" messages to other dogs by repeated urine markings around the perimeter of its house or yard, or inside the house. When a highly territorial dog spies someone or something unfamiliar on its turf, it typically barks while staring down the intruder and raising its hackles. For most territorial dogs, that's as far as it goes. Some, however, cross over into uncontrollable barking and more threatening behaviors, such as growling, chasing, and biting.

You can overcome many of the problems associated with territorial behavior. Basic obedience training helps form a solid foundation for behavior-modification techniques that can defuse aggressive territoriality. If your dog leaps at visitors, keep it on a leash, teach it to sit-stay before the dog starts to act out. Consistently using these obedience techniques protects the innocent and reminds your dog that you are in charge.

Two main approaches for remedying overzealous territorial responses are systematic desensitization and counter conditioning.

To desensitize you have to expose your dog to small doses of the stimulus that triggers its territorial defense and then gradually increase the intensity of the stimulus over time. For example, if your dog goes berserk over the sight of a man in uniform, you might first introduce the dog to less threatening visitors (such as women). Repeat the procedure with several different women until your dog is consistently calm. Then introduce men, gradually working up to men in uniform.

To counter condition your dog will learn to anticipate feeling good in situations that formerly caused upset. Supply your friends with dog treats and arrange for them to visit. If your dog sits and stays rather than lunges, your guests should give him a treat. After several such controlled experiences with various people, your dog will begin to treat visitors like guests rather than invaders.

Used in tandem, desensitization and counter conditioning are highly effective, but require time (up to 3 or 4 months) and patience to work.