Signs your Dog is Protecting You
As a dog owner, you will find that your dog plays different roles in your life. Friend, family, confidant and yes, even protector. Understanding dog behavior takes time and experience with animals and even with that, you may still have trouble reading your dog’s moods and feelings. So how would you know that your dog is protecting you?
Dogs, like humans, come in different shapes, sizes, and temperaments so their behavior will vary. However, there are some classic telltale signs that will indicate that your dog is protecting you. These signs include:
- 1If your dog tends to come between you and other people, particularly strangers, this is their way of shielding and protecting you from potential harm. A protective dog will growl when someone approaches you as a warning to the other person to stay away.
- 2Protective dogs will be wary of other animals as well and you will notice that they get tense in the presence of other dogs. For instance, you might be out for a walk with your dog and you will notice that they get aggressive when you encounter other dogs. This wariness stems from the need to protect its owner from potential dangers.
- 3If your dog likes sitting on your feet, this is his way of marking you and telling others that you belong to them.
- 4Protective dogs tend to be sensitive and you will find that they will try and comfort you if you are distressed because they feel the need to protect you.
Is your Dog Protective or Aggressive?
Dogs are pack animals and thus the instinct to protect comes naturally to them. However, protection can quickly crossover to aggression which is a dangerous dog behavior. So, it is important to distinguish between the natural instinct to protect and aggressive dog behavior.
Dealing With An Overprotective Dog
Despite the comfort that comes with knowing that your dog is looking out for you, overprotective dogs can pose a danger to others. You, therefore, need to watch out for overprotective behavior and deal with it before it turns into full-blown aggression. If you are enjoying this article, check out our article on the best dog food for miniature schnauzer.