How To Stop A Dog’s Aggressive Behavior

Understanding A Dog’s Aggressive Behaviour

I vividly remember my neighbour’s dog regularly growling, snapping and biting from my childhood. Later I came to realise that it’s a behavioral problem of aggression also known as aggressive dog behaviour. Remember that any breed big or small is capable of showing aggression. Understanding aggressive behaviour is the key to controlling it. Aggression is a behaviour that simple translates into an attack or impending attack. This also includes baring teeth, biting or lunging. Your pet may also be aggressive around an animal or a specific person.

Some common types of aggressions are protective aggression, possessive aggression, social aggression, pain aggression etc. Aggression in dogs is a symptom of an underlaying problem. Dealing with aggression is particularly hard and can be very upsetting for dog owners. It’s also a legitimate safety issue both for the owner and others. How to correct aggressive dog behaviour can be quite challenging.

There are various tools and techniques that help over come this behaviour. However, one needs to continuously practice these and make them a part of daily routine to see positive results.

Reading the Signs of Aggression

An aggressive attack can be predicted by noticing some common signs such as pinned back ears, a stiff body, snarling and exposing the front teeth. An understanding of these can help avert an attack.

Professional Help

Aggression in dogs is a concerning issue and professional help or help from aggressive dog behaviour trainer must be solicited. Certified dog trainers or obedience trainers can make a huge difference. Besides your vet can ensure a health problem isn’t causing such aggression. Your vet may want to add some dog supplements if required. Pet vitamins and supplements will ensure dog’s better health.

Minimize the Use of Aggressive Control Tools

Avoid using aggressive tools such as shock collars or choke chains. It will heighten your dog’s frustration. Rather give your pet a lot of exercise. Simple fetch the ball exercise is loved by pets. Just get a dog ball toy or rope dog toy and viola you are set to roll. These pet products are usually soft and squeeze.

Positive Reinforcement

Maintain a positive demeanour around your pet and especially around an aggressive dog and remind the dog that you are in charge. Positive reinforcements and reward - based training techniques always get good results. Praise your dog and give a treat when it displays good behaviour. Gradually your dog will understand the meaning of good behaviour. A variety of dog treats like milk bone dog treats, dog chocolate treats, dog frozen treats, dog jerky treats etc are available. Pick the one your dog loves the most. However, keep in mind that treats must not be more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet.

Let Them Chew

Don’t stop your dog from chewing completely. It’s in fact satisfying and relaxing or therapeutic for your furry friend. Simple way is to stuff your pet’s favourite toy with some snacks and let him get busy with reaching the hidden snack. Other than this get them to chew the right thing like dog chew treats, dog chewie sticks or chew toys for dogs.

Puppy Gates

Management tools like puppy gates help keep away your dog from other dogs, animals or humans. When you witness aggressive behaviour in dogs, this can be a good option. These can be easily purchased from any pet dog accessories stores online or pet grooming accessories online stores.

Consider Spaying or Neutering

Spaying or neutering your dog may be considered if your vet or trainer feels so. This may make them less aggressive over a period of time.

Leashes or Muzzles

Leashes and muzzles are quite useful while in public. There can be no exceptions and these are an easy way to keep others safe. Buy these pet dog accessories from any pet online store or any pet shop. Warning leashes that read out ‘do no pet can be considered.’

To conclude, as dog owners try to learn their language as much as you can. Of course they can’t communicate in your mother tongue but we can notice and interpret their body language. Often different positions have a different meaning. There are certain clear indicators that help dog owners understand their dog.

Give your dog some space and set realistic expectations as overnight magic happens only in fairy tales. With practice and some professional help your dog’s behaviour will improve. Different treatments or a combination of these must be tried to find the best for your dog. Trust me you are not alone in this ordeal but few are open about it. There is a famous quote that says ,”Your dog isn’t giving you a hard time he is having a hard time.”