Dogs can be wonderful companions; however, no two dogs are born with the same personality. Even seemingly laid-back dogs need training to behave properly. In particular, if you notice that your dog has aggressive tendencies toward other dogs or people, you must take steps to reduce (or ideally, eliminate) the aggression.
-
The Vet's Role
-
Whether you have a new puppy that has displayed minor signs of aggression or an older dog that is showing aggressive behavior for the first time, take it to your veterinarian for a checkup. Dogs cannot (or in some cases, will not) communicate to their owners when they are in pain. If your dog is growling, barking, taking a defensive posture, baring its teeth, snapping, hiding or attempting to bite when approached, it may be suffering from injury or illness. A visit to the vet, therefore, is your first step; you should not try to correct aggressive behavior if the dog is using it to tell you it's in pain.
Trainers and Classes
-
Enlist the help of a trainer to work with your aggressive dog. If your dog is young, it simply may need to learn proper ways to socialize with other dogs and people. Enrolling him in a class with other young dogs and puppies would be a good idea in this case. Your dog will learn how to communicate better with other dogs through interaction in this supervised environment, and you will get tips from the trainer on working with your dog.
If your dog is older, consider enlisting the help of a private trainer who can come to your home. By observing your dog's behavior, a trainer should be able to identify the likely causes of your dog's aggression and teach you the proper methods to for handling its behavior.
The Importance of a Supportive Environment
-
To thrive, a dog needs an appropriate environment. Make sure that its environment and lifestyle cause as little anxiety as possible. Create a space in your home where the dog will feel safe. Provide a bed or blanket and some appropriate toys, including those it can chew on to help reduce anxiety.
Allow your dog plenty of exercise--at least two walks per day--so it is not overly excited or accidentally aggressive when playing. If you work during the day, consider paying someone to take the dog out.
Make sure that your dog has easy access to its water dish and that you are feeding the dog enough. A hungry dog may be defensive around its food. Feeding it on a predictable schedule two to three times a day may help reduce anxiety around mealtime.
-