Aggressive behavior in dogs is something that dog owners have dealt with since time immemorial. Some dog breeds are simply more aggressive than others. One of the more common behavioral reasons that dog owners seek out veterinary attention is their dog’s aggression. It’s also one of the top reasons that many dogs are returned to or surrendered to animal shelters. Training an aggressive dog shouldn’t be done by an untrained dog trainer, but any of the following aggressive dog training tricks can certainly help you with your training.
Dogs with long muzzles tend to be aggressive dog training tricks that you’ll want to avoid teaching to your dog. A muzzle around your dog’s mouth isn’t really serving any purpose; it’s actually causing the dog extreme pain. The excessive rubbing of the muzzle against his face and throat causes abrasions and skin irritations that the dog is likely to try to get rid of. Long muzzles can also cause your dog to choke or accidentally “grip” your hands.
Another of the aggressive dog training tips is the use of treats. Treats, like the occasional tennis ball, can provide instant stimulation for your dog when used as a training tool. However, the key to using treats successfully is consistency. If you consistently use treats as a form of reward during training, your dog will learn that he is getting them for good behavior, and not just because you happen to be the owner of the dog. Every time you walk past the kitchen, toss a tennis ball or two in his general direction; this will give him positive cues that he’s doing the right thing.
Dogs are naturally suspicious of strangers and may come close to them when they aren’t looking. You’ll need to keep everyone in your home safe while training your dog, and one of the best ways to do so is to teach him not to be aggressive to other dogs. This takes some work, but if done correctly, it can keep everyone safe. With just a little bit of work, you can make sure your dog doesn’t become a dangerous threat to anyone in your home.
If aggressive behavior continues after you’ve warned your dog not to be aggressive to other dogs, you should consult a veterinarian. Sometimes, aggressive behavior can be a symptom of an underlying health issue. You veterinarian will be able to diagnose the cause of your dog’s aggression and may even be able to help you treat it. Keeping your dog healthy through exercise and nutrition is one of the best ways to ensure that he remains a healthy competitor in the canine world.
Dog owners should carefully observe their dog and try to determine what triggers its aggressive behavior. Is there an unusual odor on its nose? Does it rub its head on you when you walk by its side? When playing with other dogs or playing with toys, is it overly excited and restless, and digs into your belongings to scratch its body or legs? If any of these behaviors occur when you’re around your dog, you should carefully consider removing it from the interaction and consult your vet to find out how to train my dog to not be aggressive to other dogs.
Once you’ve pinpointed the cause of your dog’s symptoms (usually sniffing and lunging), you can use the treat approach to teach your dog the ‘not so red zone’. When you first introduce treats into the ‘red zone’, your dog will initially react negatively to the smell and may immediately stop its actions. As it becomes more comfortable with the smell of treats, it will respond to them as normal, and you can slowly add treats to the ‘red zone’ until your dog is responding to your commands like a true member of the family. Be careful not to overdo it, and always keep a close eye on your dog while it is learning!
A word of caution, though: if your dog has very aggressive behavior with another dog before you introduce it to other people, it might take some time to modify its aggressive behavior once you bring it into a more familiar environment. Aggressive dogs often have trouble being socialized to other dogs, and dogs with aggressive behavior are often fearful of other dogs once they become dominant. In these cases, it may take a very gentle but consistent approach, and professional help may be necessary. With proper socialization and training, however, most aggressive dogs can be successfully trained not to be aggressive to others.
