Dominance aggression in canines can be dangerous. If left unchecked, it can become a larger problem as the animal tries to assume a leadership role in his owner's home. When his status is challenged - either by his owner or a member of his family - the pet may react aggressively, causing injury. For the owner, the problem is to address the behavioral issue without triggering a confrontation.
A careful approach is necessary in order to minimize the likelihood of an aggressive reaction. Physical punishment, such as yanking the pet's collar or hitting him, is rarely effective, and dangerous with a dominant aggressive canine. Below, we'll offer several suggestions that will help you regain control over your dog without exposing you and your family to harm.
Identify The Interactions That Trigger Aggression
Not all canines behave aggressively in response to the same situations. For this reason, take time to note which types of interactions cause your pet to display dominance aggression. For example, does he growl when you place your hand on his back? Does he bark when you approach him during meals? Does he attempt to protect something from you to prevent you from taking it?
The purpose of doing this is to compile a list of interactions to avoid. That is, if your pet growls when you pet his back, refrain from doing so. It's important to minimize the stress between you and your dog while training him to abandon his dominance aggression.
Avoid Conceding To Demands For Attention
Your canine may try several tactics to demand your attention. He might bark incessantly, refusing to stop until you pet him; he may nudge your leg with his body, becoming more forceful with each failed attempt; or, he might jump up on you. The best response is none at all. Regardless of your dog's insistence for your attention, avoid surrendering to his demands.
Many owners make the mistake of giving in because their pets' behavior seems relentless. Unfortunately, doing so trains the animal that he should use the same tactic in the future.
Train Your Pet To Work For Treats
Your dog enjoys treats, praise, petting, and your attention. Withhold all of these items unless he first complies with your commands. For example, if he approaches you to be pet, refrain from doing so until you give him a command that he fulfills.
The goal is not to force your canine to comply with each command. Instead, the goal is to let him know that you will not provide the things he enjoys unless he works for them. For instance, if you tell him to "sit," and he refuses to do so, withhold your attention for several minutes. Then, try again.
Restrict Access To Food
One of the keys to any training program that seeks to curb dominance aggression is to make clear that the owner controls the resources. To dogs, food is the most important resource. Thus, as with treats and your attention, make your canine work for his meals.
When you prepare his meal, tell him to "sit" and "stay" before giving it to him. If he fails to comply, store his meal away. Try again in five minutes. Your dog will gradually understand that you control his most important resource. This firmly plants the idea that you are the leader of his "pack."
Limit Access To Toys
Your dog's toys present another opportunity to curb his dominance aggression. Rather than giving him full access to his toys, use them as treats. That is, provide his favorite toy when he complies with a command. This further strengthens the notion that you control the items he enjoys, and he must do what you say in order to gain access to them.
When canines become dominant aggressive, their owners should address the issue as early as possible. If the behavioral problem is allowed to persist, they risk losing control of their pets.
A careful approach is necessary in order to minimize the likelihood of an aggressive reaction. Physical punishment, such as yanking the pet's collar or hitting him, is rarely effective, and dangerous with a dominant aggressive canine. Below, we'll offer several suggestions that will help you regain control over your dog without exposing you and your family to harm.
Identify The Interactions That Trigger Aggression
Not all canines behave aggressively in response to the same situations. For this reason, take time to note which types of interactions cause your pet to display dominance aggression. For example, does he growl when you place your hand on his back? Does he bark when you approach him during meals? Does he attempt to protect something from you to prevent you from taking it?
The purpose of doing this is to compile a list of interactions to avoid. That is, if your pet growls when you pet his back, refrain from doing so. It's important to minimize the stress between you and your dog while training him to abandon his dominance aggression.
Avoid Conceding To Demands For Attention
Your canine may try several tactics to demand your attention. He might bark incessantly, refusing to stop until you pet him; he may nudge your leg with his body, becoming more forceful with each failed attempt; or, he might jump up on you. The best response is none at all. Regardless of your dog's insistence for your attention, avoid surrendering to his demands.
Many owners make the mistake of giving in because their pets' behavior seems relentless. Unfortunately, doing so trains the animal that he should use the same tactic in the future.
Train Your Pet To Work For Treats
Your dog enjoys treats, praise, petting, and your attention. Withhold all of these items unless he first complies with your commands. For example, if he approaches you to be pet, refrain from doing so until you give him a command that he fulfills.
The goal is not to force your canine to comply with each command. Instead, the goal is to let him know that you will not provide the things he enjoys unless he works for them. For instance, if you tell him to "sit," and he refuses to do so, withhold your attention for several minutes. Then, try again.
Restrict Access To Food
One of the keys to any training program that seeks to curb dominance aggression is to make clear that the owner controls the resources. To dogs, food is the most important resource. Thus, as with treats and your attention, make your canine work for his meals.
When you prepare his meal, tell him to "sit" and "stay" before giving it to him. If he fails to comply, store his meal away. Try again in five minutes. Your dog will gradually understand that you control his most important resource. This firmly plants the idea that you are the leader of his "pack."
Limit Access To Toys
Your dog's toys present another opportunity to curb his dominance aggression. Rather than giving him full access to his toys, use them as treats. That is, provide his favorite toy when he complies with a command. This further strengthens the notion that you control the items he enjoys, and he must do what you say in order to gain access to them.
When canines become dominant aggressive, their owners should address the issue as early as possible. If the behavioral problem is allowed to persist, they risk losing control of their pets.
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