What You Can Do About Aggressive Dog Behavior
What You Can Do About Aggressive Dog Behavior
Article by Sandy Rutherforde
Large breed dogs often get a bum rap for being aggressive, violent animals, however in quite a few cases, it is really the smaller breed dogs that really bite. Small dogs’ reputation as adoring, cuddly, cute companions might be deserved, however a poorly handled small dog is often more dangerous than a pit bull. Knowing the reasons behind aggressive dog behavior can help owners lower the chances of their dog hurting someone and help to reduce the aggression altogether.
As funny as it might sound, quite a few smaller dogs really do experience insecurity as a consequence of their size. In the event you see aggressive dog behavior only when people are standing or walking around, odds are, your dog is fearful of being stepped or sat on. Be very careful to not pick up or coddle the dog whenever it begins barking at people walking by; it might identify that as a reward, and instead of calming down, will just come to be even more obnoxious. As an alternative, remove your dog from the area when individuals are moving around and ignore the barking. Allow the dog back into the area only after it has quieted down and everyone is seated.
One more typical reason smaller dogs have a tendency to bite is simply because they have been mistreated by a previous owner. That is particularly true of dogs which are normally loud and “yappy.” Again, the very best alternative will be to remove the dog from the area and pay no attention to any attempts to get your attention until finally your dog is quiet. Offer a quiet, safe place where your dog can observe you and your guests until finally it establishes that nobody is a threat.
Charging is actually an aggressive dog behavior that should never be tolerated for any reason. Small dogs will often charge at strangers, and even close members of the family, to exhibit their dominance. Never allow your dog to dominate a human! Contend with charging quickly and firmly; always keep a spray bottle of water near the door and any other area where charging is likely, and use it. Spray the dog directly in the face and tell him, “no,” using a loud, clear voice. Water will surprise the dog, and it will soon learn that charging is inappropriate. If this strategy seems harsh, keep in mind that smaller dogs could be killed with a single kick from a frightened child.
While mouthing could be playful in most dogs, and is usually harmless, dogs must understand that employing their teeth on a human is completely wrong. Mouthing can from time to time cause unintentional biting, particularly when small kids are playing with the dog, so all kinds of mouthing, nipping, and biting need to be discouraged. If licking is satisfactory in your household, you could encourage licking instead of biting by placing butter, bacon grease, or salad dressing on your hands. Allow the dog to lick it off, yet move away and say, “no,” the second the dog attempts to nip or mouth you. Eventually, your dog will understand that biting leads to losing a treat, and will stop trying to bite.
For dogs that are really out of control, professional training is the next step. An effective trainer will work with you and your dog to identify the causes for the aggression, and can then work one step at a time to train your pet to behave. As a final resort, however, a few dogs could need regular medication to control their behavior. In the event that training does not help, talk to the vet about prescribing a mild sedative, and invest in a good kennel to help keep your guests safe.
About the Author
Are you looking for information on how to stop dog biting? Be sure to visit my site for tips on obedience dog training.
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