How to Handle Aggression in Your Dog

Are you having problems with aggression? Does your dog make you or someone else nervous? [spin]Read on to understand and prevent aggressive behaviors in your dog!|Then you need the following tips…[spin]

Dog aggression and tips to solve the behavior problem.

Aggression is a serious behavioral problem that pet owners can largely avoid if they take steps to really learn and understand their dog and what can create bad behaviors.

Learning about growth periods in dogs can aide in avoiding this problem.

The First Step - Socialization

Puppies have a great need for socialization. Puppies who are sold or placed in homes should ideally be placed between 7 and 8 weeks to allow for proper socialization in the home. From 8 to 10 weeks, it is a delicate time period, and puppies should be treated with extreme care and love.

Puppies and Adolescence

Adolescence starts at around 14 weeks. If your pup has not had the love and care to provide the socialization he needs by this time, he may never be trustworthy around others. Adolescence continues until they reach sexual maturity, usually around 15 months of age. If your pup did not recieve much handling before adolescence, he or she will often be withdrawn, shy, and even nervous. They may never grow out of this.

The Path to Sexual Maturity

During this stage as they grow to sexual maturity, dogs begin to get protective of home and family. They begin to bark at strangers, and males start lifting their leg to mark territory. Introductions to strangers at home is important in socializing them properly, especially if they missed the early period.

Warning Factors in Aggression

Breeding plays a large role in determining aggression. Dogs bred for protective traits like Ridgebacks, Dobermans, and Rottwielers will be more aggressive than a Lab or Dalmation. Small breeds like terriors were bred to hunt and still have those qualities.

Environment and Aggression

Obviously living conditions will play a huge role in aggressive behaviors. Dogs who are abused, or neglected, or punished excessively can become aggressive. By the same token, dogs who are spoiled, or given too much attention can also become aggressive.

Being the Alpha

Dogs are guided by a different set of rules than people. They live in packs, and packs always have a leader, or Alpha. Dogs who exhibit aggressive behaviors and are not corrected, start to think of themselves as the Alpha of your family or “pack”, and will exercise their dominance by biting. Many times owners will not understand the process leading up to this, and think their dog just decided to bite them out of nowhere, and get rid of the dog. In reality the dog had established himself as your Alpha, and had every right in his mind to bite you to show his dominance.

Tips for Preventing Aggression

The number one priority is never let your dog gain dominance over any family member, especially children. Children are usually the easiest to target as they don’t know any better. If you establish yourself as the Alpha, and don’t let your dog get away with dominant behaviors towards other family members, he will recognize social order.

So remember! Prevention is the best medicine, and the best way to prevent aggression is: Early Socialization, Understanding your Breed, and Establishing your role as Alpha!

Read more about how to house train your dog.

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