Dealing With & Avoiding Dog Aggression

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks; I detest that old adage.  You can teach any dog, at any age, anytime if you make the time and are consistent!

And, training is essential to avoid and control aggressive behaviors.

Avoiding Dog Aggression From The Beginning

The best case scenario in any dog training program is to avoid dog aggression all together.

• Set up rules and boundaries
• Start obedience training right away
• Socialize your puppy or dog with other animals and people
• Be kind by using positive techniques

Setting Up Rules and Boundaries is Essential to Avoid 
Aggressive Incidents in Your Home. 

Lack of rules leads to a dog that feels like he is a spoiled child and is “owed” anything he desires.  Giving in to his demands only makes the behaviors worse.  Soon you are faced with a dog who growls at you when he doesn’t want to share or when he doesn’t want to do what you ask of him.

By using positive reinforcement dog training techniques you can teach your dog that you are in control of everything that he cravings and through compliance to what you want he will also get what he wants!  By showing you good behavior he still feels as if he has some control and you can shape the behaviors you wish to see.

Good Obedience Training Helps Fix & Avoid Aggression

Obedience is the key to good behavior.  Good dog obedience sets the tone for an excellent overall relationship for the rest of his life.  And, obedience is not a short term solution, fun obedience and those skills should last a lifetime!

Obedience also teaches a dog impulse control.  Dogs that do not have boundaries or rules often lack impulse control because they get everything they want when they want it, but good obedience teaches the dog to have patience and learn to control his impulses and desires.

Socialization is Crucial To Avoid Dog Aggression

Dogs that are not socialized often adopt a mentality of “The best offense is a good defense” so instead of being confident about

socializing with unknown people or animals they develop adefensive and aggressive stance.  This stance works for the dog because it keeps these people and animals away from them.

The dog learns that aggression works in his favor!  Instead socialize your puppy or dog safely with people and other animals if you can!  If he is showing too many signs of aggression he may need to be desensitized to whatever i
Your Aggression Incites More Aggressions causing it and making him uncomfortable.

Using compulsion and physical corrections often escalates aggression.  I have always said “Aggression incites aggression”.  If you get aggressive with your dog first, he is likely to get aggressive back and if he gets aggressive with you and you reply with more aggression you can have a bloody fight on your hands!

We are the thinking animals and it is up to us to use our minds to control any situation.  We simply don’t need our physical strength to control situations with animals!

Tips to Deal with Your Dogs Aggression

If these behaviors are new make a visit to your vet.  Certain medical conditions can cause aggressive behaviors and only your vet can test your dog to make sure he is healthy and that the new problem is behavioral.  All the behavior modification in the world won’t help a dog that is in pain or suffering from something like a seizure.

If you or your families are at risk please contact a veterinary behaviorist for immediate help!  It is not worth risking you or your children’s well being and a veterinary behaviorist can help with severe aggression and can help you build a program to fit your dog’s needs.

Dog Aggression Tip #1

• Never use physical force or the aggression could get severely worse.  Do not use prong collars, choke chains, or shock collars these collars can make an aggressive incident worse.
• Institute a program of positive reinforcement and dog obedience training right away by rewarding good behavior.  This allows you to shape the good behavior you desire to see in your dog and teach him how to respond in certain situations.
• Utilize a Gentle Leader to guide your dog’s head if needed.  I often recommend a Gentle Leader for dogs suffering from aggressive problems because this gives the owner control of the dog’s face.

Dog Aggression Tip #2

Dog Aggression Tip #3

Obedience is critical if it could not avoid aggression; obedience is a crucial aspect of controlling it.

What Happens When You Can’t Cure Your Dogs Aggression?

Some dog’s aggression cannot be cured, but their owners can learn to control the dog during his triggers. 

Obedience should be a fun game and a time that you get to hang out with your dog and work on critical skills that you might just need some day.

I recommend that my clients who are rehabilitating or working with an aggressive dog work on obedience at least 3 distinct times per day (even more is better).

The sessions don’t have to be lengthy, but dogs with aggression issues need to keep their obedience skills sharp!