Aggression in canines can emerge for several reasons. For example, your pet may be afraid of another person or animal, and feel trapped. He might be suffering from a medical issue that is contributing to his behavior. Or, he may be trying to exert his will over others, including you and members of your family. We'll explore this latter issue in more detail below.
Dogs that attempt to dominate the households in which they live can present a danger to everyone living with them. For this reason, it is critical that you address the problem in your pet as quickly as possible. We'll explain how this issue occurs over time, and how owners often encourage it. We'll also provide several suggestions for reducing the aggressive behavior in your pet if he is attempting to dominate your home.
A Closer Look At The Problem
To understand why some canines display dominance-related aggression, it's important to be familiar with their mentality. Your dog is a pack animal. He sees his place in your home as part of a hierarchy of status and authority. If you have raised him properly, he will consider you and members of your family as positioned higher than him.
Most canines are content to remain at their current levels in their households. They have learned to rely on their owners for important resources, such as food and water. There are seldom challenges to their owners' authority. Some animals, however, notice opportunities to assume higher positions in their homes, and take advantage of them. This is the beginning of a dominance-related problem. Left unaddressed, it usually leads to aggressive behavior.
The problem usually develops gradually, encouraged by owners' unwillingness to take corrective action. For example, a dog may jump up on his owner's couch when he had been previously prohibited from doing so. If the owner fails to remove him, the animal may feel entitled to be on the couch in the future. Attempts to remove the canine in the future become increasingly difficult, and may eventually trigger an aggressive response.
This is the reason it is imperative for you to display leadership with your dog at all times. If he ignores you, or refuses to do what you tell him, take steps to curb the habit before it develops further. Indulging your canine will likely cause aggression down the road.
First Steps Toward Reducing Your Pet's Aggressive Behavior
If your canine already displays dominant-aggressive behavior, give him more exercise. This alone may help reduce his aggression. Not only will exercise help your pet burn energy, but having him on a leash sends a clear message that you are his leader.
Also, make an appointment with your dog's veterinarian. He or she can examine your pet, and identify health problems that may be contributing to his aggression. Common conditions, such as hip dysplasia, periodontal disease, and thyroid-related issues, can play a role.
Minimizing Stimuli That Produce Aggression
Take note of circumstances that trigger a dominant-aggressive response from your canine. Then, avoid such situations. For example, does taking away his food trigger a response? Does staring at him for long periods cause him to display aggression? Does your dog begin to growl when you restrain him? How does your pet react when you approach him while he is eating or resting?
If your canine considers himself higher than you in the pack hierarchy, each of these events may prompt him to respond aggressively. Also, keep in mind that your pet may consider himself to have less authority than you, but more than your children. Thus, be aware of any dominance aggression episodes that take place in your absence.
Curbing your canine's dominant-aggressive behavior requires a multi-faceted approach that includes training, rewards, and rationing of resources. The effort is worthwhile since it helps your dog to become a better companion for you and your family.
Dogs that attempt to dominate the households in which they live can present a danger to everyone living with them. For this reason, it is critical that you address the problem in your pet as quickly as possible. We'll explain how this issue occurs over time, and how owners often encourage it. We'll also provide several suggestions for reducing the aggressive behavior in your pet if he is attempting to dominate your home.
A Closer Look At The Problem
To understand why some canines display dominance-related aggression, it's important to be familiar with their mentality. Your dog is a pack animal. He sees his place in your home as part of a hierarchy of status and authority. If you have raised him properly, he will consider you and members of your family as positioned higher than him.
Most canines are content to remain at their current levels in their households. They have learned to rely on their owners for important resources, such as food and water. There are seldom challenges to their owners' authority. Some animals, however, notice opportunities to assume higher positions in their homes, and take advantage of them. This is the beginning of a dominance-related problem. Left unaddressed, it usually leads to aggressive behavior.
The problem usually develops gradually, encouraged by owners' unwillingness to take corrective action. For example, a dog may jump up on his owner's couch when he had been previously prohibited from doing so. If the owner fails to remove him, the animal may feel entitled to be on the couch in the future. Attempts to remove the canine in the future become increasingly difficult, and may eventually trigger an aggressive response.
This is the reason it is imperative for you to display leadership with your dog at all times. If he ignores you, or refuses to do what you tell him, take steps to curb the habit before it develops further. Indulging your canine will likely cause aggression down the road.
First Steps Toward Reducing Your Pet's Aggressive Behavior
If your canine already displays dominant-aggressive behavior, give him more exercise. This alone may help reduce his aggression. Not only will exercise help your pet burn energy, but having him on a leash sends a clear message that you are his leader.
Also, make an appointment with your dog's veterinarian. He or she can examine your pet, and identify health problems that may be contributing to his aggression. Common conditions, such as hip dysplasia, periodontal disease, and thyroid-related issues, can play a role.
Minimizing Stimuli That Produce Aggression
Take note of circumstances that trigger a dominant-aggressive response from your canine. Then, avoid such situations. For example, does taking away his food trigger a response? Does staring at him for long periods cause him to display aggression? Does your dog begin to growl when you restrain him? How does your pet react when you approach him while he is eating or resting?
If your canine considers himself higher than you in the pack hierarchy, each of these events may prompt him to respond aggressively. Also, keep in mind that your pet may consider himself to have less authority than you, but more than your children. Thus, be aware of any dominance aggression episodes that take place in your absence.
Curbing your canine's dominant-aggressive behavior requires a multi-faceted approach that includes training, rewards, and rationing of resources. The effort is worthwhile since it helps your dog to become a better companion for you and your family.
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