Stop Dog Aggression
In the wild dogs needed to be aggressive to survive. Dogs are natural hunters. Aggression was needed
to protect themselves, their food and their sleeping habitat. There are basic types of dog aggression. Dog
aggression towards strangers, and dog aggression toward family members. These two types of aggression stem from
different causes and teaching a dog to control themselves in each instance is unique to the type of
aggression. Dogs that have not been socialized as a puppy are aggressive toward other dogs.
Dog aggression in dogs is a normal instinct. Dog aggression exhibited toward strangers
is a sign that the dog has not been socialized to the people and places around him. A dog should not be
expected to relax in an unfamiliar environment. You need to provide experiences for your dog
so that under normal conditions his environment is familiar.
Dog Aggression Toward Strangers
Your dog's knowledge and experience comes from those things you have specifically
introduced him to. In short, your dog needs to be socialized if you expect him to react in a calm manner
around strangers. Socializing your dog requires you to introduce your dog to other people, other animals and
new experiences. This socialization process should begin when the dog is just a puppy. It is easier to build
habits than it is to retrain bad habits.
Dog Socialization
The greater the experiences your dog has the better. Your dog needs to be introduced to
people of all ages and races including men, women, children and uniforms. Your dog needs to be
introduced to every circumstance you can imagine. People with umbrellas, people wearing helmets, etc.
Anything that has been left out of his training will cause an alert attention leading to possible dog
aggression. He is dependent upon you for his total understanding of the world.
Your dog needs to be socialized to other neighborhood animals, cats, and dogs. Dogs are
social animals and need to interact with others of their kind. Socialization of your dog is a lifelong
activity. Your environment is in continual change. Your dog needs to be introduced to these
changes while they are developing.
Stop Dog
Aggression
Aggression Toward Family Members
In our homes dog aggression toward a family member has two general causes. The first, and
probably the most common, is guarding something that he feels is his. Food aggression is the primary
problem, but can also include a dog's toys or other objects. The other cause or reason for
dog aggression toward a family member is handling. Some dogs may have never become accustomed to being
handled or groomed. A dog in showing dog aggression is telling you to back off, that the handling he is
receiving does not feel comfortable. Teach acceptance of grooming slowly and gently. Your dog will
become accustomed to the feel.
Dog Food Aggression - Dog Property Aggression
Dogs in the wild live in dog packs. In every dog pack there is one dog that is the leader,
the alpha dog. In our family the dog looks at the family as being his pack. As in a dog pack, where
every member has a rank, your dog will determin what his rank is within your family structure.
If your dog has perceives himself higher in rank than another family member he will be aggressive toward
that person, thus preserving his position and things. A dog that feels he is the lowest member of the family
pack will be submissive to the higher ranking members, not matter their age. When dog aggression of this
nature occurs the answer is to establish yourself as the alpha dog leader and the other family members as higher
ranked family pack members.
Dog Aggression Due to Handling
All dogs have different limits to being touched or handled. A dog that has never been
handled is reticent when touched. The family pack ranking can play a role in whether a dog will accept being
handled or groomed. A dog that feels he is the alpha dog will resist allowing anyone of a lower rank to groom
him.
Some dogs are aggressive when groomed due to a bad grooming experience. Nail clipping and
bathing are two common instances of possible bad experiences. It is common when nail clipping to cut the
nails too close causing pain and bleeding. Bathing a dog may cause problems when soap gets into his eyes
or water in his ears. Your dog begins to panic which may lead to you forcibly holding your dog to
complete the bath. This type of dog aggression is caused by emerging fears.
You need to undo the damage done by bad experiences. Be patient, work slowly and
praise your dog in every step performed correctly. When your dog becomes tense, back off. Use
lots of praise and treats. It may take several times to cut the nails on all four feet, or to fully bathe the
dog. Do it in steps, being attentive to the dogs attitude.
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