Dogs become aggressive for a number of different reasons. Some of the time, they are what is referred to as "red zone" dogs. This means they just have a vicious nature, and it can be almost impossible to fix. Most of the time, however, a dog shows aggressive behavior simply because he is afraid. This is a problem that can be fixed with some diligent training and patience. The way to begin is to understand the mentality of the canine.
Things You'll Need
- The proper training collar (see below)
- Long leash
- Crate
- Dog treats
Instructions
How to socialize a passive aggressive dog
Determine if the dog is actually being aggressive out of fear. You can do this by reading the dog's body language. Is his tail tucked, his ears backed, and is he backing up some as he is barking or growling? Usually, a passive aggressive dog will have the tail tucked and only lunge at a person if he feels cornered. So the first step is to avoid cornering or looming over the dog right from the start when letting him out of a kennel or crate.
Give the dog the opportunity to come to you. If she is in a kennel or a crate, crouch down by the entrance so you are on her level. Make yourself "small." Offer a treat to show you want to be friends. This could take some time. When you feel comfortable enough, open the kennel or crate door and allow the dog to come to you. Be sure to stay in a seated or crouched position. So many people make the mistake of approaching a passive aggressive dog by standing up, walking to them, and then leaning over to pet them. Do not do this. This is a dominant and confrontational posture, and a fearful dog will react. Its also a good idea to NOT look them directly in the eye until they are comfortable with you. That is also a confrontational move and could provoke them to bite out of fear.
Begin exposing the dog to different scenarios to socialize him once he is comfortable with you. Having friends come over is the best way to start. Always keep him on a long leash in the beginning, and choose the proper training collar. This is going to depend on how strong the dog is mentally and physically. You want to be able to correct him, and also keep him from pulling you over when you have him on the leash. A slip chain collar is usually fine. But for stronger dogs, you may need what is called a "pinch" or a prong collar. This is not cruel. Remember to think about what happens in the litter when they are puppies. The mother dog corrects them by grabbing them around the neck, and moving them or picking them up with her teeth. So we, as the handlers, must simulate that by using the right collar to control them. The proper correction is a quick, firm pop on the leash so the dog will feel the squeeze of the collar. Then give a strong verbal correction, "No." You must do this as you socialize the dog to make sure you can correct properly and make sure the dog does not snap or bite at someone. Always give lots of praise when the dog backs down after the correction. This whole process must be a positive experience.
Spend a good bit of time at your local dog park. The people who take their dogs to these parks are usually pretty animal savvy and willing to help. Tell them you are trying to build your dog's confidence, and ask them to avoid approaching her in any way. Remember step two and allow the dog to go to them when she chooses. Keep her on the long leash so you can be in control if she starts to make a mistake. This may take some time, but it will work. Always reward with treats and a lot of praise when she does approach someone in a friendly manner.
Be sure your dog is accustomed to sleeping in a crate at night or when you leave the house. Contrary to what some people believe, this is not cruel. Dogs envision the crate as a "safe haven." It is their own little space. They may resist at first if they are not familiar with it. But some treats and gentle coaxing will take care of that. NEVER make the crate a punishment. After a while, you will find that your dog will go into the crate on his own for naps. It has a calming effect on them, and will be very helpful in dealing with any aggression issues. If you are having a party or just some friends over and you feel the dog may get stressed out by this, the crate is a great solution. Put him in his safe place and give him a treat.