How to train an aggressive dog can be done easily at home. Aggressive dog behavior is more than just a mere bad habit. Aggressive dog behavior may sometimes develop as a result of being improperly socialized. Dogs are naturally social animals and being deprived of proper socialization early on may well result in developing aggression later on.
Dogs that are properly socialized acquire the skills needed for establishing and maintaining appropriate social relationships with others and other members of their pack. Training an aggressive dog to be obedient and gentle requires that you identify its natural tendency to be aggressive and then exploit that. How to train an aggressive dog can be achieved in a variety of ways depending on what kind of dog you have. Most puppies are cute when they bark and chew but as they grow older they can become aggressive. A well-socialized dog is not easily irritated or provoked and will be able to control its aggression to avoid conflicts with other dogs and people.
Training a dog not to be aggressive can be as simple as establishing yourself as the alpha dog in your household. Dogs are naturally dominant over dogs and other animals and by asserting yourself as the leader of your pack they will respect you. One effective way of doing this is by using treats to command your dog and by using your voice when commanding your dog.
You can teach your dog how to behave properly by enrolling him or her in dog obedience training classes. Various dog training organizations have different sets of rules that they follow but most of them require that before your dog can be enrolled in the class, certain behavioral traits are exhibited. One such trait is for the dog to growl whenever another dog or person approaches it. Other dog training organizations require that the dog exhibit submissiveness towards people and other pets. These are just a few of the traits that are evaluated during the dog obedience training course and the instructor will determine what these standards are.
During the course, the dog owner will be taught to master the art of training his dog by being on the lookout for the signs of aggressive behavior. One of these signs is when the dog lunges at another dog or tries to bite it on the legs or arm. This is to be expected since the dog is trying to intimidate its opponent and since it does not know any better, the other dog is likely to back down. The dog then learns not to lung or pounce because it has been taught that lunging or pouncing will only lead to a scuffle. The trainer will also teach the dog how to respond to a verbal command and to understand the meaning of the word “free.”
Another sign that the dog is exhibiting aggression is when it bounds or circles around other dogs. Although most puppies and older dogs will do this occasionally, it is usually a sign of aggression. A good exercise to help with this behavior problem is to take the dog to an agility course or perform some other type of competition so the dog gets plenty of exercise and learns what types of movements provoke aggression in the dog. The dog then learns to know when it is not appropriate to make these types of movements. A good trainer will tell the dog owner how to handle this situation so that the dog knows when to stop.
There are a number of other methods to solve dog behavior problems including obedience classes. These classes can be helpful in teaching the dog more desirable behavior. Training your dog should begin early in life so that he is not subject to the bad behavior patterns that come naturally in some breeds. The first step is to find out the breed of dog that your pet is. If possible, determine whether you can purchase a particular dog from an online source that specializes in working with sporting dogs such as the Golden Retriever.
Some dogs that are not aggressive but that can be nuisances to neighbors or homeowners include Labs, Boxers, Dobermans, Rottweilers, and Great Danes. To avoid these potential problems, it is important that a dog owner enroll him or her in obedience classes. Once the basics of dog training are learned, the next step is learning how to use the training methods effectively. You may wish to also enroll your pet in a basic obedience class where professionals will demonstrate proper techniques for both you and your pet. You may also choose to enroll in a number of other training courses that focus on specific topics such as controlling temper tantrums, stopping destructive biting, learning basic first aid skills, and other techniques.
