This is part two of our advice on how to combat aggressive dog behavior. For part one check out stopping dog aggression.
Finding out what causes aggressive dog behavior is an important first step in solving this dangerous problem. Unfortunately all too often aggression in our beloved dogs is found very close to home.
My dog is aggressive towards my own family
This can be a very upsetting situation to try to deal with as you obviously want your family to feel safe in your home. A common reason for such behaviour is when your dog tries to defend something that he feels is under threat from you or a member of your family. This is often called resource guarding. Common examples of this are when your dog snarls or growls if you go near him when he’s eating, or if you try to take a toy (or worse your best shoe) away from him.
To understand this behaviour you need to understand some dog psychology but don’t worry as it’s mostly common sense. As we’re aware dogs in the wild live in packs, which for our pets become replaced by our families. Within any pack there exists a strict hierarchy, where each dog understands their place in the pack. This is the basis for how a dog reacts to any situation.
Though it may seem strange, your dog has ranked each member of your family in order of importance (or dominance) and will treat them accordingly. This might range from him trying it on a bit if he feels that he ranks close to a family member, to downright aggression if he feels that he is truly the top dog. A lower ranked dog wouldn’t show aggression when for instance defending his food, as he’d know that he’d face serious consequences in a pack situation. Secrets to Dog Training has some excellent information and advice for coping with a dominant dog.
That’s the theory but how does that help me?
Well once you understand the reason for such dominant aggression you can take daily action to correct it. The best way to do this is to give your dog regular, consistent training sessions (two or three 15 minute sessions per day). This over time will teach your dog that you’re in charge and that it’s in his interest to do what you say.
When carrying out such training it is a good idea to combine positive methods (for example rewarding good behaviour with treats and praise), and isolating your dog when it misbehaves, for instance in a separate room. Being a pack animal dogs don’t like being excluded and this combination works well. This is similar to the naughty step which is often used with children. Encouraging other members of your family to carry out similar training will reinforce your dog’s position in your pack, providing that a consistent approach is used.
In general the more you understand the reason for your dog’s problem behaviour the easier you’ll find it to correct. Secrets to Dog Training provides lots of useful insight on coping with and overcoming aggressive dog behaviour and provides in depth information on preventing and dealing with such problems.
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