Whether it's fear, stress or ill-manneredness, dogs snap for many different reasons. In this way, owners can take action against the misconduct.
Dogs are wonderful animals that enrich our lives with their unconditional love and tireless energy. Most four-legged friends are peaceful by nature and live harmoniously with their owners. However, it can also happen that dogs snap and cause injuries. Regardless of whether they bite the air or catch a sleeve or even their hand, this aggressive behavior should always be an alarm signal. In order to help your furry friend and teach them better behavior, you first need to understand the reasons for snapping.
+Dog owners should find out why their four-legged friend is snapping. (Symbolic image)
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Why is my dog snapping at me?
Although dogs may be hunters by nature, snapping is anything but normal. Often it is a sign that the dog is not coping with the current situation. Instinctively, he wants to protect his territory - so if he feels that his territory, his food or his pack is threatened, he can become aggressive. Snapping, in this case, is a form of defense to repel intruders. Frightened or stressed animals are also more likely to react aggressively. For example, many dogs are afraid of going to the vet, as they may have had bad experiences there in the past. Just as some people are afraid of the dentist's appointment, the dog resists the painful treatment in the veterinarian's office. Other dogs, people and even certain smells can also stress your four-legged friend.
Some dogs tend to snap when their basic needs are not met. Is your furry darling possibly hungry or thirsty? Or is he in pain? Is he possibly suffering from an illness? Unfortunately, dogs can't tell us directly how they feel or what they need. That's why owners have to be as empathetic as possible with Bello and Co.
Boredom can also be the trigger for aggressive behavior. As pack animals, dogs are social creatures that love socializing and need activity. If a dog is constantly left alone, it can lead to behavioral disorders such as anxiety, depression and aggression. The attention of their owner is for dogs like balm for the soul.
Dogs and Parenting: Ten Mistakes They Hate, But We Do Anyway
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What can I do to prevent snapping?
The most important rule is: keep calm! There is no point in "snapping back" or yelling at the dog in order to literally "beat him up" on better behavior. This increases the risk that he will feel even more threatened and possibly bite. It is better to ignore the dog for the time being and keep your distance. If he does not receive attention from you by snapping, the dog will learn not to do it in the future. If, on the other hand, you retreat and show your fear, your dog will consider snapping a successful tactic. An equally wrong approach is to stroke your four-legged friend after a snapping attack and talk him into it. He could take this as praise and feel falsely confirmed in his behavior.
Instead, try to stay calm and interrupt your dog with a resounding "no" or "off." It is best for dogs to learn a taboo word as puppies that alert them to wrong behavior. It is important to be consistent and follow clear rules. If you are more or less strict with your furry friend, it will only confuse him unnecessarily and harm his upbringing.
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How to deal with snapping dogs while playing?
Some dogs snap while playing. A short interruption makes it clear to the four-legged friends that their behavior is not okay. If the dog snaps again while continuing to play, then interrupt again. You decide when the game continues – not your dog! So be strict, but still be patient. It may take some time for your dog to forget how to snap. Instead of punishing the dog for bad behavior, reward him when he behaves as desired. Praise him and give him a treat to show him that he did something right.
If your dog snaps at you frequently and the tips mentioned do not bring any improvement, it may be worth working with a professional dog trainer. A coach can help to examine and correct the misconduct.
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