Large breeds of dogs get a bum rap for being aggressive, violent animals, however in quite a few situations, it is the smaller breed dogs that in fact bite. Smaller dogs' reputation as adoring, lovable, cute companions might be warranted, however a badly handled small dog is often more dangerous than a pit bull. Understanding the factors behind aggressive dog behavior will help owners lower the odds of their dog hurting another person and help reduce the aggression entirely.
As funny as it may sound, a lot of smaller dogs actually do experience insecurity because of their size. If you observe aggressive dog behavior only if people are standing or walking around, chances are, the dog is fearful of getting stepped or sat on. Be careful not to pick up or coddle your dog when it begins barking at people walking past; it could possibly identify that as a reward, and instead of calming down, will simply grow to be even more annoying. Instead, remove your dog from the area when people are moving around and ignore the barking. Allow your dog back into the area only after it has quieted down and everyone is seated.
Yet another typical reason small dogs have a tendency to bite is simply because they have been mistreated by a prior owner. This is particularly true of dogs that are naturally loud and "yappy." Once again, the very best alternative is to remove the dog out of the area and ignore any attempts to get your attention until the dog is calm. Provide a quiet, safe place where the dog can observe you and your guests until finally it establishes that no one is really a threat.
Charging is an aggressive dog behavior that should never be tolerated for any reason. Smaller dogs will charge at strangers, and even close members of the family, to exhibit their dominance. Never allow a dog to dominate a human! Contend with charging swiftly and firmly; always keep a spray bottle of water close to the door and any other area where charging is likely, and employ it. Spray the dog directly in the face and tell him, "no," in a loud, clear voice. The water will surprise your dog, and it will quickly understand that charging is unacceptable. If this strategy appears cruel, bear in mind that small dogs can be killed by a single kick from a frightened child.
Even though mouthing may be playful in some dogs, and is generally harmless, dogs need to understand that using their teeth on a person is completely wrong. Mouthing can at times lead to accidental biting, particularly when smaller children are playing with the dog, so all mouthing, nipping, and biting have to be discouraged. If licking is okay in your household, you can encourage licking instead of biting by placing butter, bacon grease, or salad dressing on your hands. Allow your dog to lick it off, but move away and say, "no," the second your dog tries to nip or mouth you. In due course, the dog will understand that biting leads to losing a treat, and will stop trying to bite.
With dogs that are really out of control, skilled training is the next step. A good trainer will work with you and your dog to identify the causes for the aggression, and will then work one step at a time to train your dog to behave. As a last resort, however, a few dogs may require regular medication to control their behavior. In the event that training does not help, talk to the vet about prescribing a mild sedative, and invest in a good kennel to help keep your guests safe.
As funny as it may sound, a lot of smaller dogs actually do experience insecurity because of their size. If you observe aggressive dog behavior only if people are standing or walking around, chances are, the dog is fearful of getting stepped or sat on. Be careful not to pick up or coddle your dog when it begins barking at people walking past; it could possibly identify that as a reward, and instead of calming down, will simply grow to be even more annoying. Instead, remove your dog from the area when people are moving around and ignore the barking. Allow your dog back into the area only after it has quieted down and everyone is seated.
Yet another typical reason small dogs have a tendency to bite is simply because they have been mistreated by a prior owner. This is particularly true of dogs that are naturally loud and "yappy." Once again, the very best alternative is to remove the dog out of the area and ignore any attempts to get your attention until the dog is calm. Provide a quiet, safe place where the dog can observe you and your guests until finally it establishes that no one is really a threat.
Charging is an aggressive dog behavior that should never be tolerated for any reason. Smaller dogs will charge at strangers, and even close members of the family, to exhibit their dominance. Never allow a dog to dominate a human! Contend with charging swiftly and firmly; always keep a spray bottle of water close to the door and any other area where charging is likely, and employ it. Spray the dog directly in the face and tell him, "no," in a loud, clear voice. The water will surprise your dog, and it will quickly understand that charging is unacceptable. If this strategy appears cruel, bear in mind that small dogs can be killed by a single kick from a frightened child.
Even though mouthing may be playful in some dogs, and is generally harmless, dogs need to understand that using their teeth on a person is completely wrong. Mouthing can at times lead to accidental biting, particularly when smaller children are playing with the dog, so all mouthing, nipping, and biting have to be discouraged. If licking is okay in your household, you can encourage licking instead of biting by placing butter, bacon grease, or salad dressing on your hands. Allow your dog to lick it off, but move away and say, "no," the second your dog tries to nip or mouth you. In due course, the dog will understand that biting leads to losing a treat, and will stop trying to bite.
With dogs that are really out of control, skilled training is the next step. A good trainer will work with you and your dog to identify the causes for the aggression, and will then work one step at a time to train your dog to behave. As a last resort, however, a few dogs may require regular medication to control their behavior. In the event that training does not help, talk to the vet about prescribing a mild sedative, and invest in a good kennel to help keep your guests safe.
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