Stop Aggressive Dog Behavior
Dogs are instinctively aggressive and we all realize that dogs are able to seriously injure people and other animals. This does not mean that dog owners are completely helpless in their ability to stop aggressive dog behavior. An aggressive dog must be given obedience training immediately, before someone is injured.
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Aggression towards family members and towards strangers are the most frequent behaviors shown by aggressive dogs. Dog aggression can be triggered for many different reasons so it should be reacted to in different ways.
Aggression Towards Strangers
Dogs will often dislike unfamiliar people and other animals until they have an opportunity to get used to being around them. Socialization is the method used to familiarize dogs with new environments, and strange people and animals. It’s impossible to overemphasize the importance of socialization in your dog’s training. You’re probably wondering how socialization can stop aggressive dogs from attacking the postman or pizza delivery guy. A socialized dog starts to understand that new experiences can be enjoyable rather than scary.
He needs to learn this lesson as a young dog. The more frequently your dog gets to interact with different people (for example, men in uniform, elderly people, young children, teens, people with umbrellas or wearing helmets in peaceful and enjoyable surroundings, the safer your dog will be around strangers.
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Puppy group training courses (often run by pet stores or at a vet office) are an excellent place to socialize your pup in a controlled environment. Your dog will learn how to behave with unfamiliar dogs. He will also learn that there is no reason for him to be afraid of the unfamiliar people at these sessions. He should not feel overwhelmed at these sessions – allow his tolerance to build gradually by starting off slowly.
Aggression to Family Members
Aggressive dog behavior towards human family members is most commonly for the following reasons:
- Your dog is trying to protect his possessions (food, toys, etc.) from an apparent threat (namely you or your family members). Such excessively possessive behavior or resource guarding is not unusual in dogs.
- As dogs are pack animals, it is a question of dominance and your dog’s perception of his ranking in the pecking order of the household. Dogs perceive the family make up as being no different from a dog pack. Dogs that perceive their ranking in the hierarchy to be higher than their owner or family members will probably show aggressive behavior.
Resource guarding is definitely an act of dominance – a lower ranked dog would never show aggression towards to a more highly ranked member of the pack.
Providing consistent dog training is the best way to stop aggressive dog problems, which will make it clear to your dog that you are the “alpha dog”. Your “alpha dog” status can be strengthened with rewards such as treats and praise when he responds appropriately to a command, and with “time-out” for bad dog behavior.
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