Dealing with aggressive dogs is not always easy and why they are aggressive in the first place, is usually misunderstood. How do I handle my dog’s aggression? This is a very common question among dog owners and before answering it, it is important to note that the underlying cause of canine aggression is not that they are naturally mean or bad. Chances are they are insecure or fear a certain stimulus or environment.
The Causes of Canine Aggression
-Traumatic experiences with other dogs or individuals
-A history of having important resources like comfort or treats denied or removed.
-A lack of socialization with certain individuals or environments.
Other things like canine physiology, pain, illness, and dementia can also cause your furry friend to exhibit aggressive behaviour.
Dealing With Aggressive Dogs
Helping your canine buddy overcome aggression is no walk in the park and, in some cases, you may need the help of a certified professional dog trainer, experienced in positive-reinforcement techniques. It’s important to be realistic as such training takes time and even with such efforts, the dog may not live up to your expectations. As such, it’s important to learn how to handle canine aggression.
What to Do If your Dog Portrays Aggression in Public
If your furry friend is aggressive in public, it is imperative to determine what the hostility is directed toward or the trigger. Once you have identified it, the first thing is to prevent your pet from getting close enough to the trigger.
Space is vital to keeping your dog from feeling uncertain or triggered. Once you have determined how much space is required, you can start slowly helping the pet build positive associations with the trigger. This is known as desensitization-counterconditioning.
You should ideally consider desensitising your furry buddy to a muzzle in order to make sure they won’t hurt another person or dog, should they lash out. Muzzles may look scary and restrictive, but they are vital in giving an unpredictable or uncertain dog additional freedom.
What do Do If Your Dog Portrays Aggression at Home
Dealing with canine aggression at home can prove to be more challenging than in public, partly because the angles and corners of a house can prevent you from giving the dog adequate space from the trigger to feel safe.
In a household where the dog is aggressive towards kids and other dogs, rehoming might be the best solution. Putting your canine friend in a situation where they must show constant control while under stress only sets them up for failure, and this usually means biting.
If the trigger is something that happens occasionally like guests coming over, then you’ll want to set up specific rituals in order to make the dog comfortable and ultimately make improvements in their behaviour. So when people are coming over:
-Prepare various appealing puzzle toys and the best dog treats UK has to offer.
-When the doorbell rings, bring the treats and your dog with you to a separate room where you have set up a comfy bed. Close the door and go meet your guests.
-Only free your canine friend when the guests have gone.
Conclusion
So there you have it, essential tips for dealing with aggressive dogs. Coupled with professional help from a trainer, it’s certainly possible to hamper this frustrating behaviour.
