Puppies are one of the most delightful additions any family can make, but many find themselves surprised when their new pup displays aggression. Whether it be humping, nipping, or growling at guests, aggressive behavior can be worrying for both the owner and the pup themselves. While it may seem daunting, can an aggressive puppy be trained?
The good news is, yes! While it is important to be aware of the risks that aggressive behavior can pose, it is not an indication that the puppy cannot be trained. Working with an experienced trainer and understanding the underlying cause of the behavior can be an integral step in managing an aggressive pup. There are a range of techniques that can be employed to successfully modify this behavior and create a happy, secure environment for everyone.
In this blog post, we will go into what causes aggressive behavior in puppies and how to train an aggressive pup. We will explore how to recognize the warning signs of aggression and discuss potential solutions.
Cope with puppy teething
Puppies’ mouths ache during teething, and they bite or chew to relieve the discomfort. Give your dog appropriate chew toys or teething toys. Most dogs will be distracted and begin chewing the toy.
The question of how to stop a dog from chewing everything he sees and how to stop puppy-mouthing will probably come to mind if you are dealing with an aggressive puppy.
Teach your teething puppy that biting is not appropriate puppy behavior if it tries to bite you.
Turn away and leave, or exclaim “ow” loudly and in a high pitch. By doing this, you can teach your puppy not to bite people.
Any breed can produce an aggressive puppy
Puppy aggression is not breed-specific. There are aggressive dogs in every breed, just as there are lovable, friendly dogs. No single breed is an exception.
It is up to you to keep an open mind when you notice a problem. That entails acting promptly and appropriately in response to any aggression. Wishful thinking that things will change is not the answer. Your chances of successfully resolving your dog’s aggressive behavior by learning how to redirect your puppies to good behavior increase the earlier you take action on it.
But you may be wondering how to stop puppy aggression.
The first thing you should do is speak to your veterinarian. Have your veterinarian examine your puppy.
There may be urgent matters that need to be resolved right away, such as medical issues, genetic issues, or other pressing matters. The longer you wait, the more difficult it might be to fix. A veterinarian is a professional who can assist you in taming any aggressive tendencies you may find.
The easier it is to correct inappropriate behaviors in a puppy the younger it is, barring serious genetic or neurological issues. Often puppy fear can become aggression. Puppy fear aggression can be avoided with positive reinforcement and punishment-free obedience training, which helps produce a well-behaved, well-mannered dog. You also can use it to stop excessive puppy barking.
Understanding how to teach a dog social skills is critical. Consider how you would raise and enforce your child’s optimistic outlook. The earlier you discipline them, the better because their minds are like sponges. It’s easier to get a grip on obedience training.
Snarling, growling, mounting, snapping, nipping, lip curling, lunging, dominance, challenging stance, dead-eye stare, aggressive barking, possessiveness, and biting are all common warning signs.
Here are a few examples of aggressive puppy symptoms:
Watch your puppy’s behavior around areas where there is food. Possession of food and toys among puppies is one of the early indicators of aggression.
Do they growl or snarl when you approach their food bowl while they are eating? Do they growl or snap when you reach for their food bowl, even if it is empty?
Does your puppy lunge, growl, or snap as you reach for a dropped piece of food? Are they protective of the trash can, snatching treats or food out of your hands?
Is your puppy possessive of toys or other items, especially items that may be your children’s? Does your puppy claim furniture like a chair, couch, or bed?
Does your puppy behave differently when an unfamiliar child visits the house? Does your puppy bark excessively? How does the puppy act when someone, especially someone they don’t know, walks into the house or enters a room? Are you having trouble with a puppy that won’t stop biting?
Does the puppy overreact violently to playful teasing, sudden movements, awakening from a deep sleep, or being corrected? Is the puppy unwilling to be touched? Does the puppy exhibit an unusually high prey drive by chasing and nipping at anything moving?
When you pick up the dog, be alert for any warning signs, especially puppy nipping, which can quickly develop into a puppy biting your hands. Even though you won’t need to pick up or carry your dog frequently, there will be times when you must do so without worrying that your puppy will bite you or act aggressively.
Watch your puppy’s behavior around other dogs and puppies as well. Be sure to watch for signs of a dominant puppy. If your puppy exhibits early aggression toward other puppies or adult dogs, it needs to be immediately controlled through training.
Is it too late to train an aggressive dog?
Aggression is a behavior that can be learned at any age; this also applies to teaching an old dog new tricks. Any pup can learn to control their undesirable behaviors, but it will be much easier if they are not ingrained in their minds to begin with. Because of this, Hill’s Pet and numerous other canine professionals strongly advise acting when aggression first manifests.
It may seem difficult to stop your dog’s aggressive behavior, and we don’t blame you if you feel that way. Never hesitate to seek the assistance of a veterinarian or dog behaviorist if you lack confidence during any step of this process. Even a trainer will have some knowledge, advice, and strategies to make your training more effective. Remember, safety always comes first.
FAQ
How do you correct an aggressive puppy?
By getting up and moving away or removing your dog to her resting place (a crate or playpen), you can stop an aggressive puppy from biting and growling. If your dog bites at your hands while you’re playing with him or petting him, stop him and direct his attention to a suitable chew toy.
Can an aggressive puppy be rehabilitated?
Chances are, aggressive dogs aren’t born that way. They frequently developed that behavior in response to something, whether because of their past or their circumstances. Fortunately, however, the right instruction and rehabilitation from a qualified dog trainer can correct this type of behavior.
What age do puppies stop being aggressive?
Puppies are rarely protective. Similar to territorial behavior, protective aggression typically develops between the ages of one and three in puppies as they enter adolescence or adulthood.