If you have ever watched the news or read a newspaper, you have probably come across the term “aggressive dog”. In fact; you have probably seen it associated with specific breeds and in connection to a dog attack. While the aggression can be seen in a number of breeds, the fact is, aggression can be seen in all breeds and it is important to correct the problem as soon as it is seen.
Another fact is that aggression can be a direct result as to how a dog has been treated or raised as a puppy. For more information on general aggression, please read our article, Stop Aggressive Dog Behavior Problems and also take the time to read our article on How to stop Puppy Aggression.
Aggression is a serious problem and it can lead to many problems in a dog and may result in the dog being surrendered to a shelter or simply destroyed. It is important, despite having many excellent tools in this article, that you seek the advice and support of a professional trainer who is experienced on how to stop dog aggression.
While our articles offer you many tools, none can replace the skill of a dog trainer and with aggression, it is best to have as many tools available to you as you possibly can. It is also important to understand that some forms of aggression, such as maternal or pain aggression, can be corrected without the need for formal training and before you try to stop dog aggression, you should understand what form of aggression you are dealing with.
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Now that I have given you a number of warnings, let’s take a look at how to actually stop dog aggression. As many dog owners know, there are a number of reasons why a dog can become aggressive and while it can be a difficult behavior to correct, it can be fixed, at least to a certain degree.
Some of the reasons why a dog will be aggressive are:
Dominance: This is a very serious aggression and if your dog is trying to dominate you or anyone else in your family, you need to put your foot down immediately. Although it is hard to see, there is a difference between a dominant dog and a dog with dominance aggression and usually the latter will growl, bite or bark at anyone who is challenging his spot in the pack.
Pain: I have already mentioned this but pain is on of the main causes for aggression in many dogs, especially when it appears suddenly. When you see sudden aggression in your dog, it is important to take him to the veterinarian to rule out pain as being the cause.
Territory: If the dog becomes territorial about objects, people or spaces, then he can become very aggressive. In some cases, the dog is only aggressive to strangers and while this may not seem like a big problem, it can be if your child’s new friend tries to come over to play.
Isolation and Abuse: If you isolate or abuse your dog, then there is a big chance that he will become aggressive.
Improper Socialization: Remember that socialization is an important part of a dog’s life from puppyhood up and on.
Although aggression is a big problem, it is important to note that not all aggressive like behaviors are bad. A dog that barks when they are guarding the house is doing a good thing and most people like to own dogs for that sense of security. However, a dog that barks at everything and charges anyone who comes into the home, may be showing signs of aggression. For this reason, it is very important for the owner to know the difference.
Now that we have looked at some of the reasons for dog aggression, in our next article we are going to go through how to actually stop dog aggression: How to Stop Dog Aggression – Part Two
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