Aggressive dog attacks, whether against people or other dogs, can be one of the worst problems of dog ownership. Dog aggression is a common behavior and comes from the fact that the dog is a pack animal and its normal instinct is to compete, right from the time it is born.
It has to compete for food ( even from the very early days when it is suckling from the mother), it has to compete for status and for respect. When the dog joins a human family, he still thinks of it as a pack and will try to establish his position in the that hierarchy. If the dog is allowed, or even encouraged to believe that he is the Alpha Dog, then you have Trouble!
In most cases, this is the fault of the owner, especially if the dog is aquired as a puppy. A puppy can't dominate its owner or the household, it is only if dangerous and aggressive behavior is tolerated or even encouraged during adolescence that you end up with aggression in the adult dog. Your dog must Respect You, Trust You and Love you -- in that order!
Reasons for Dog Aggression.
It is most important to understand that there are several different reasons for dog aggression. It can be difficult to determine what the real reason is. One of the most misunderstood is aggression due to fear or anxiety. The dog is not looking for trouble, he feels he is defending himself against some perceived threat or danger.
The dog may be exhibiting territorial aggression. This is more common in certain breeds, which have been bred as guard dogs or herding dogs over centuries and have a strong genetic instinct to protect their territory and their family.
Mistreatment or abuse by previous owners may be a factor in the case of an adult dog, adopted from a Rescue Center. Such dogs need a careful balance of kindness and discipline. You must definitely be the Alpha Dog in this situation (as in every other situation).
Where a normally placid dog suddenly becomes aggressive, this may be due to a painful medical condition or ailment and the dog is nervous of increased pain if handled or upset. Vetinary advice is essential if pain or illness is suspected as the cause of the unusual, dangerous behavior.
Overly Aggressive Dog Breeds.
The subject of the most aggressive dog breeds causes much controversy and vociferous debate. Owners of Rottweilers, Dobermans, Pit Bull terriers and German Shepherd dogs spring to the defence of their pets, stressing how loving, reliable and trustworthy they are. When properly trained, socialized and integrated with family, friends and other dogs, this is usually true. However, these breeds have been bred and used for many years with the express purpose of guarding and protecting property, family and livestock. This strong protective instinct is in their genes and is thus more likely to result in aggressive behavior.
These breeds suffer from two further disadvantages with regard to their reputation for aggression towards people and other dogs. Because of the jobs they were originally bred for, they are large, strong and athletic dogs, so when attacks do occur, the damage they inflict is serious. More small children are killed by these dogs than by all other breeds combined. The public perception being what it is, people frequently give the wrong signals to these breeds, with their body language exhibiting signs of fear and submissiveness.
It is important to note that dogs that display dog-aggressive behaviour do not necessarily show aggressive behaviour towards humans. The two types of aggression are not necessarily related, and do not always occur in the same animal.
Aggression over Food
Remember the wolf pack in the wild. The alpha male and female get first servings and the rest of the pack compete for what they can get. It is ingrained in the dog's nature that he has to be protective of his food and show a certain amount of aggression, otherwise he will starve.
Even in the normal domestic situation, food is important to your dog. Mealtimes are one of the highlights of his day. This is a double-edged situation. It is your ideal opportunity to show your dog who is The Boss. He can't use a can opener, he can't operate the microwave, he can't draw a bowl of water. He is totally dependent on you for his food (and all other needs).
At mealtimes, insist that he sits or lies down a few feet away. If he won't do it, put the food away and leave him. It won't take long for him to get the message - the food comes along, only when he he sits and waits for it. Ideally, this routine should be practised when the dog is a puppy, so it will be normal behavior when he grows up. If your dog is already adult and aggressive, then there is all the more reason to implement this method of gaining control.
One-year-old Labrador mix, Jigs, was adopted from a non-profit rescue organization after he was found deserted in an oddly looking yard. The Lopez family that adopted Jigs showered him with attention and love. They also provided him with enough food and a rightful shelter that he deserves to keep him content. Jigs, however, still displays the anxiety he acquired from his previous owner. Other than executing aggression towards the family's children, the dog would frequently bark at passersby on the street and on more than one occasion growled, cornered and terrorized a guest in the house. With this, the family is rapidly becoming worried that the dog will attack and injure anyone. They badly wanted Jigs to stay as their family pet so they planned an extensive training exercise to stop dog aggression that Jigs proves to be so good at. After almost attacking a family friend at a party, the family took Rags was taken to a local dog training academy to work on his aggression. Prior to the training, the instructors evaluated the dog's behavior by having a one-on-one talk with the family in order to best understand their patient. During this consultation, Rags didn't exhibit any signs of aggression until another trainer entered the room to deliver a message. That instance, the dog become frantic, began growling, and almost attacked that person. Seeing this behavior, the instructors had thought of how to build up a training plan particularly for Rags. Jigs' first day at the dog training academy built a feeling of fear and excitement for the Lopez family as the trainers decided to train the dog with one of his adult owners. On this approach, Jigs would correlate the training techniques with someone who'll really look after him even after the training sessions end. After some observations by the trainers, the family was informed that there was a big chance that his previous owner physically abused him; as a result, Jigs inevitably uncovered his aggressive behavior to defend himself against any apparent violence. And since Jigs was restrained and abandoned to a fenced yard, he was not acquainted to socialize with other people. The training session grant the instructor a great deal of authority to execute commands to Jigs for the benefit of the family member also complying in line with the program to stop dog aggression. As the dog and the training sessions progressed, additional instructors participated or were added in every activity, each one maintaining a calmer character. During this part, Jigs exhibited no aggressive behavior towards anyone in the room. Though seeing measurable improvement on Jigs' behavior, the instructors still warned the family to refrain from using verbal or physical abuse towards the dog when it exhibits aggression, as he may become ferocious. It also includes using methods like shake cans and water bottles that can be misguided as intimidating to the dog. And for the continuous guide and direction from the instructors, they provided the owners with a list of training techniques that can be practiced to stop dog aggression even at home. As the course carried on, the instructors added more individuals into the program and created more disturbances for Chen. When Chen stopped responding aggressively, the trainers finally conclude that Chen was truly restrained from his aggression. Actually, Chen's aggression diverted into his other interests like being fascinated with his toys, playful with Joon's children and enjoying the fun dog life activities with his family. They were all extremely overjoyed with the training and now have the benefit of having Chen as a cheerful and healthy member of their family. After all courses were undergone by Chen, the family threw a party for his most awaited victory. On that day, the house was filled with many guests, and Chen did not even feel endangered or had the urge to show any aggression towards anyone. What's more, when the family took Chen to the park or family trips, he could without a doubt interact with other people they met without fear of aggression. Thanks to the trainers who never failed to stop aggression in dogs, Joon is now pleased and happy with the newest member of their family.
Both Ken Charles & Paul Bennet are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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