My Dog's Personality Changes Around Others

Domesticated dogs constitute a staple in American family life. In conjunction with this reality, a large number of Americans contribute to the health and welfare of a varying number of dog breeds. As a rule, dog health issues include reactions to stresses introduced by the household environment. A dog's mood change with the introduction of people remains a major aspect of domesticated dog behaviour.

  1. Pack

    • Despite it's long history of domestication by humans, the household dog maintains an intrinsic connection with an idea known as the pack mentality. Generally, this mentality poses no normal barriers in a dog's relation to human beings, the introduction of people unfamiliar to the dog may engender a threat to their position within the family pack.

    Threat

    • Many domesticated dogs assume a position of protector within their family unit. In many cases, the approach of individuals unfamiliar to the dog causes a reaction related to the dog's internal protection mechanism. This reaction often results in outwardly aggressive behaviour or apparent changes in the dog's mood or personality.

    Change

    • In the case of dog's with a long-term and relatively unchanged living situation, a change in address or daily routine engenders stress and emotional uncertainty. These issues combined with the introduction of new people in an unfamiliar environment often causes a dog to exhibit an abrupt change in mood when interacting with people.

    Smell

    • Though unapparent to normal human senses, work-related scents or scents acquired when travelling through differing environments often causes an abrupt reaction in hyper-sensitive animals. These smells often relate to contact with other animals or contact with unfamiliar agents; such as chemicals and synthetic products.