Instructions
Put your dog in its place by taking on the role of pack leader yourself. Show your dog that you are the leader by always making it work for food and affection. Tell the dog to sit and wait before feeding or giving affection. Do not allow your dog to sleep in your bed or get up on the sofas as these are positions of dominance. Maintain a confident posture when telling your dog to get off the furniture. Inform all family members of these rules to ensure that the dog is treated the same way by everyone and knows its place at the bottom of the pack.
Provide your dog with adequate exercise and mental stimulation to keep it from becoming frustrated. Walk your dog on a daily basis. Attach the leash and wait for your dog to relax before you begin the walk. Do not begin the walk when your dog is still in an excited state. Exit the house first with the dog behind you and the leash relaxed. Keep the dog walking slightly behind you and correct it by giving a quick sideways tug of the leash if he begins to pull or misbehave. Continue walking with a loose leash once the dog returns to the correct position. Walk into the house first after the walk and ensure that your dog is last to enter the house.
Say "no" in a firm voice if your dog growls at any time, as growling is a dominant behavior that alpha dogs practice to dominate other members of the pack, according to the Dog Breed Info Center. Prevent a small dog from growling at people who approach you when you are holding it by placing the dog on the floor and saying "no." Never attempt to sooth a dog by comforting it when it is growling. as this will only reinforce the behavior.
Take your dog to obedience training classes with a professional dog trainer to build a strong bond with your dog and to encourage it to respect and trust you. Do this also to gain control of your dog. Inform the trainer that your dog has exhibited aggressive behavior, and the trainer can then help you with the rehabilitation process.
How to Tame a Mean Dog
If your dog is showing signs of aggression, then it is vital that you take steps to address the issue. Aggression in dogs can be caused by dominance, which means that the dog sees his owners or his pack as his subordinate. Aggression can also be caused by frustration, such as lack of exercise and mental stimulation. Although you can use a number of methods to tame an aggressive dog, it is important not to put your family members at risk. You can visit a professional dog trainer to help you and your dog. Prevent your dog from becoming aggressive towards dogs and people by socializing them thoroughly from a young age.