Why the dog started biting the owner: zoopsychologist — a real case
Analysis of a real case of aggressive behavior in a dog. Completed by zoopsychologist Veronika Voitovska. Registration for online consultations on zoopsychology is open.
Case: aggression in a dog after moving and the birth of children. The owners asked me, a zoopsychologist, for help in solving the problem of aggression in a dog. Previously, the dog was not aggressive, since childhood she had been trained by dog handlers. Pedigree, with all the documents and examinations.
Dog: breed type «bull». Age: young.
Place: Europe
Complaint: bite of the owner, guarding the husband, anxiety, growling, control of the territory
Behavior chronology: from anxiety to aggression
1. Family moving to a new house → stress, change of smells, rhythm
2. Birth of children → shift in attention, completely changed schedule of attention to the dog, no regular walks outside the territory.
3. Isolation of the dog in the yard
4. Attachment to one person (husband)
5. Beginning of guard behavior → bite of the owner
Psychology of dog behavior
– Disorientation: who is «one of us» and who is a «threat».
– Stress from changes, lack of contact.
– Hyper-attachment to one family member.
– Lack of structured education after changes in the family.
I requested many videos of the dog’s behavior. All videos were analyzed down to the smallest detail.
Video analysis: what is visible from the outside
– Tense posture.
– Readiness to defend, not to attack.
– Obvious anxiety from not understanding one’s place in the family.
– Eliminating the threat through control — not through aggression, but due to a misunderstanding of roles.
Zoopsychologist’s recommendations
– Gradually restore trust in the whole family through interactions. Introduce clicker training and shaping.
– Transfer the dog to the «inside the family» mode, not «in the yard».
– Start working with submission through conflict-free methods.
– Avoid punishment and shouting — only structure and confidence.
– Conduct a health diagnosis.
We continue working with this dog and look at changes in dynamics. It is very important to remove this aggression at the first signs of aggression in the dog. Find the cause and remove it. Re-establish contact with the dog. This is especially important when there are children in the house. These are the questions that zoopsychology deals with.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Why does a dog bite only one person in the family?
Most likely, it perceives the others as «its own», and one as an external threat or competitor for a resource (food, attention, safety).
2. Is it possible to correct the aggressive behavior of an adult dog?
Yes, in most cases — it is possible. The main thing is to intervene in time and work with a zoopsychologist who understands not only the behavior, but also the reason for its appearance.
Online consultation with a zoopsychologist
— 50 euros / 30 minutes (the initial consultation usually lasts 30-90 minutes).
— Video call format (Russian, English, Ukrainian).
— In other languages — written consultation.
— Analysis of the video, situation, step-by-step recommendations. Support throughout the progress. You also send me video reports with changes every few days, if necessary, we make adjustments. Subsequent online meetings 1-2-3 weeks after the first video call. Everything depends on the severity of the situation.
How to sign up for a consultation with zoopsychologist Veronika Voitovska:
Email: dognikb@gmail.com
Instagram: dognikbulls
Each case is unique. But most can be solved — if you start on time.
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