Why is my dog ​​so territorial all of a sudden?

Dogs have always been the warmest and most loyal companions in our lives. When we find that dogs suddenly become very territorial, our hearts are inevitably filled with worry and confusion. This change in dogs is often not without reason. In-depth exploration of the reasons behind it is very important to help dogs return to normal and maintain a harmonious relationship between people and pets.

From a physiological perspective, changes in the dog's physical condition may be one of the reasons for the sudden increase in territorial awareness. When dogs are sick or injured, physical discomfort makes them particularly vulnerable and sensitive. For example, dogs suffer from arthritis and joint pain when moving, and the originally familiar territory becomes an important support for them to seek a sense of security. At this time, they will be particularly vigilant about the territory and try to protect themselves by strengthening their territorial awareness to prevent external factors from aggravating their physical pain. Or the dog may be infected with parasites, and the itching and discomfort of the body make it irritable, and it will overreact to any disturbance in the territory to vent its inner anxiety.

Age is also an important factor. As dogs age, their physical functions gradually decline, and their sensory functions are not as good as before. The decline in vision and hearing makes dogs' perception of the surrounding environment blurred, which makes them more dependent on familiar territories. They are afraid of encountering danger due to the loss of perception, so they will suddenly strengthen the protection of their territory to cope with the insecurity caused by the decline of physical functions.

Psychologically, the emotions and experiences of dogs have a significant impact on their territorial awareness. If they have been attacked by other animals, such as being bullied by stray dogs while walking, this unpleasant experience will leave a deep shadow in the dog's heart. After returning to the territory that it thinks is safe, it will become extremely alert, fearing that similar dangers will come again, so it suddenly strengthens its territorial awareness and tries to protect itself in this way.

Changes in the environment can also cause sudden changes in a dog's territorial awareness. When a new member arrives at home, whether it is a new pet or a newborn baby, the dog's familiar life order is broken. It may regard the new member as a threat to its territory and the owner's care, and suddenly become very territorial. For example, if a new cat is adopted, the dog will feel that its position and resources at home are challenged, and it will begin to frequently mark its territory and be vigilant about the cat's every move.

Moving is also a common trigger. Dogs have a deep emotional dependence on their original living environment. The strange atmosphere, strange layout and sounds of the new environment will make the dog feel uneasy. In the process of adapting to the new environment, it will seek a sense of security by strengthening its territorial awareness, trying to turn part of the new environment into a familiar and controllable space.

In addition, the owner's behavior may also affect the dog's territorial awareness. If the owner has paid less attention to the dog recently, the dog may attract the owner's attention by strengthening its territorial awareness. For example, because the owner is busy with work, the time spent playing and interacting with the dog has been greatly reduced. In order to regain the owner's attention, the dog will do some abnormal behaviors, including excessively guarding the territory, hoping to attract the owner's attention.

When a dog suddenly becomes very territorial, we should give it more care and patience. Carefully observe the dog's behavior and judge whether there are signs of physical discomfort. If so, take it to a professional pet hospital for examination in time. At the same time, in daily life, increase the time of interaction with the dog, play with it, walk with it, and give it enough care and a sense of security. As for the impact of environmental changes, we should help the dog gradually adapt. For example, when adding a new member to the family, guide the dog and the new member to slowly get familiar with each other. Every dog ​​is an irreplaceable baby in the family, and their health and happiness are our greatest wish. By understanding the reasons for the sudden change in the dog's territorial awareness and taking appropriate measures, we can help the dog relieve anxiety, regain a peaceful and friendly state, and continue to share a beautiful life with us.