Knowing how to train a dog to be less aggressive can be a challenge for any dog owner. It’s also the number one reason why so many dogs are given up to or returned to animal clinics. Training an aggressive dog shouldn’t be attempted without the assistance of a trained professional dog trainer, however, some of the more basic, aggressive dog training tricks may help you with that. If you aren’t trained or experienced in the handling and training of canine aggressors, it’s important to take your time and learn the skills needed to properly train one. There are several things you should know before you begin, though.
One of the most important aggressive dog training tips out there is that your dog doesn’t need to be overly aggressive to be trained. In fact, while some dogs display aggression out of a protective instinct, they don’t necessarily need to be trained to be less aggressive. Instead, they should be taught how to be more patient, dominant, and submissive so that they will growl when they are frustrated or asked to stop what they’re doing when you’re around, rather than lunging at other dogs or even people.
The key to training aggressive dogs is to first teach them how to come to your commands and follow them, using verbal commands and hand gestures. This process should include positive reinforcement. That means teaching your dog how to get treats or cash when he or she performs the right behavior. These behaviors will earn him or her treats and praise, which in turn strengthens their resolve and leads to better results with street passes, obedience trials, and other types of training.
As well as teaching your dog how to obey, good behavior needs to be rewarded. You can teach your dog how to respond to other dogs by having him or her perform “sit-stay-fetch” sessions. There are many different sit-stay-fetch exercises you can use, such as using a treat, toy, or your voice. Some trainers prefer to use a spray bottle instead of treats, so the trainers can practice how to handle the dog if he or she were to become aggressive. The trainer will also use verbal commands, body language, and physical techniques in teaching these exercises.
Aggressive dogs can sometimes turn to responding aggressively to things such as voice commands, physical contact, and even food. However, it is important to realize that this type of aggression is often caused by a lack of attention, boredom, stress, or hunger. A dog that displays this type of reaction is actually trying to find ways of attracting your attention or providing a higher level of stimulation that it usually gets. Training your dog to be more responsive will help to eliminate these types of behavior problems.
Another one of the effective training tips on how to train a dog to be less aggressive is to calm aggressive dogs down before they start to attack. You can try to squirt the dog with water when it is barking to distract it, or you can take a handful of its favorite toy and toss it in front of it while barking. You can also use a spray bottle to provide yourself with some visual stimulation to distract it from its aggression. After the dog has calmly stopped barking, praise it and give it a reward.
Dogs that exhibit leash aggression can be quite fearful of new people or situations. They may also be fearful of being alone or in the company of unfamiliar people. If your dog suffers from leash aggression, you should consider bringing it to a professional dog trainer to get it trained for socialization. Socialization allows your dog to learn how to interact with other animals and people in a safe, positive way. It can also help your dog learn how to be less aggressive when around other pets or visitors.
The last of our training tips on how to train a dog to be less aggressive is to make sure you are always using positive reinforcement, and not punishing your dog. Most people use punishment-based methods when training their dogs, which teach them to behave in fear instead of liking or respecting another animal or person. On the contrary, using classical conditioning and positive reinforcement together can solve a lot of behavior problems. Classical conditioning helps you change a dog’s thought and feeling patterns and then uses positive reinforcement to reinforce those changes.
