Note from the editor: Twenty years ago, the term “aggressive dog” was widely used to refer to what we now refer to as a “dog with aggressive behaviors.” The term “aggressive dog” has a flaw in that very few dogs exhibit constant aggression, and those that do are unlikely to reside in anyone’s home. When called “aggressive dogs,” people tend to overlook the fact that most of the time they are wonderful dogs who just happen to act aggressively in certain situations. In this article, we may mix the more traditional term with a more contemporary one that more accurately describes a dog that occasionally exhibits aggressive behaviors.
Even though taking your dog for a walk is one of your favorite ways to exercise and unwind, your enjoyable excursion could quickly turn stressful if your dog has a negative reaction to other dogs and you happen to come across one that is running loose. A dog fight may break out and turn dangerous if the other dog is threatening or if you have an aggressive dog (a dog that exhibits aggressive behaviors).
Thea McCue of Austin, Texas, is well aware of how quickly an outdoor activity with her dog can stop being enjoyable, as are most owners of antisocial dogs. Her 14-month-old Lab mix Wurley is a happy, active dog who enjoys swimming and running on the nearby hike-bike trails. But when he’s on a leash, he lunges, growls, and barks at other dogs.
McCue notes that Wurley, who stands 22 inches tall and weighs 60 pounds, can be challenging to manage. One of the scariest experiences a dog owner can have is introducing a puppy to a dog that is aggressive toward other dogs. “When he pounced on one little 10-pound puppy, it was embarrassing for me and scary for the puppy and the puppy’s owner,” the dog owner said.
Aggressive Dog Training Tips: General Things You Should and Shouldn’t Do
It’s difficult to overcome canine aggression, but with persistence, patience, and positive reinforcement you can usually do it.
Accept fundamental guidelines and avert the mistakes listed below (don’t worry, we go into more detail on many of these points below):
Find food that fits your pet’s needs
Is training an aggressive dog possible? Yes. Dog aggression should be corrected with the assistance of a qualified dog trainer, whether it is directed at the dog’s owner or other canines. Of course, you can work on fundamental training at home, but it will require serious effort to first determine what about your dog’s environment makes him aggressive before taking action to alter his behavior.
Tip #5: Evaluate the Severity of Your Dog’s Aggressive Behaviors
Dogs can be aggressive in a variety of ways, including growling, lunging, and biting.
All of these behaviors are unpleasant to deal with, but biting is undoubtedly the most severe, troubling, and dangerous way that aggression takes a physical form.
These behaviors often seem to come on suddenly, but they actually represent the final rungs of something called the canine ladder of aggression.
Aggression is progressive and escalating, as shown by this behavioral scale.
In other words, your dog will likely display a series of behaviors that try to communicate his discomfort.
This implies that your dog has been feeling stressed, frightened, or anxious for a considerable amount of time by the time he begins growling at you or biting.
Additionally, he may have given you some subtle cues that you may have missed.
Your dog, for instance, may initially attempt to express that something or someone is bothering him by yawning or avoiding eye contact. He might start to back away or tuck his tail if he feels threatened or scared more. He might adopt a stiff posture or start growling, snapping, or biting if this doesn’t work.
However, it’s crucial to realize that this progression of aggressive behaviors isn’t always linear, so you must take a dog seriously, no matter how subdued their cues may appear to be.
Which brings us to our next piece of advice: interpreting canine body language.
FAQ
How do you fix aggression in older dogs?
An older dog may occasionally just require more room to feel comfortable. Giving them space and keeping them away from potentially stressful situations will help your aggressive senior dog. Allow your dog to stay in a different, peaceful room if you anticipate having company over who might set off their aggression.
Can an aggressive dog be trained to not be aggressive?
Is training an aggressive dog possible? Yes. Dog aggression is a serious behavior that should be corrected with the assistance of a qualified dog trainer, whether it is directed at the dog’s owner or other dogs.
Can aggressive dog behavior be corrected?
Under the supervision of a qualified professional, behavior modification is the most secure and efficient way to address an aggression issue. Rewarding a dog for good behavior is an important part of behavior modification, so you’ll probably have more success if your dog enjoys praise, treats, and toys.
Can an aggressive dog be cured?
Treatment. It’s crucial to remember that there is no treatment for aggression. When aggressive behaviors are properly managed and reduced by a veterinary behavioral specialist. It’s also crucial to realize that aggression is a behavioral issue rather than a matter of obedience.