Does my dog not like my new partner?

Does my dog not like my new partner?

Is your dog aggressive towards the new person in the house? And does he/she also get quite angry towards you? Or is your dog suddenly over protective?

Well, there are many reasons for this behavior. But it is surly not because your dog doesn't like your new partner.

Dogs usually live in packs and have very clear rules when it comes to hierarchy.

So, the reason for your dog to get aggressive is probably because the hierarchy is not clearly defined and your dog is under the impression that he/she is dominant over the new person/member of the pack.

First of all – there is a solution for your problem and you don't have to find a new home for your dog. But you should consult an experienced dog trainer who can watch you and your dog for a while and address the problem correctly. There is always a reason why your dog shows aggressive behavior and different situations need a different approach to treatment. If the problem is not addressed correctly things could get worse.

Here are a few basic steps that will help you to get back the harmony:

Reinforce your position as the "pack leader". The best way to achieve that is to become very conscious about your body language and your tone of voice. Be relaxed but consequent – always! It takes a lot of discipline and when your dog is used to sit or sleep on the couch, you should not allow that anymore. In a dog world the pack leader doesn't sit or sleep at the same height!

Don't reward your dog for doing nothing. Let him/her sit before you put the bowl with food on the floor. Make your dog stay before you allow him/her to run after the ball. Find a place in your house/apartment that becomes your dogs place to sleep and relax (not the couch or the bed!) when you are not playing or when you are busy.

Go for a walk with your dog – all together – and include our dog in your family activities. Show your dog that there is nothing to worry about, that he/she does not have to protect you from that new person and that your new partner is now a member of your "pack". Have your partner play with your dog even that is not the most joyful thing to do after getting growled and snapped at. Encourage your new partner to give your dog a treat and practice commands like sit, stay or even lie down.

When your dog experiences the presence of your new partner in a positive way, he/she will accept and respect your new partner much easier. Remember a lot of it just depends on your own behavior. If you are insecure your dog is it, too.

www.westenddogwalking.co.uk is a great resource for dog owners with lots of interesting articles about dogs and living with them. You will find information and help to questions about canine behaviour, travel information and much more.

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