Training For Aggressive Dogs Case Study

Mike and his family enjoy having Otto, their yellow Labrador, around their home. But they sometimes encounter problems when the kids would play in the backyard with the dog. Otto would repeatedly knock them down and when Mike would join in to play with them the dog would try to mount on him. At times if Mike scolds at his children to reprimand them, Otto would get distressed and start growling. Mike tried spanking Otto or tapping him on his nose, but nothing seemed to be curbing Otto's aggression.

Bruce had finally given up on Matt's behavior. He was talking his frustration over Matt's aggressive behavior with a neighbor, who recommended a dog trainer. His neighbor advised him that the trainer would visit them in their house to work with Bruce and his family to aid them curb some of these behaviors.

The trainer paid a surprise visit to Mike's house to observe and gather information regarding Otto's behavior. As Mike and the kids huddled and played together, the trainer immediately noticed Otto's behavior and how he acts upon the situation. The trainer talked to Mike and suggested that the family stop allowing Otto to assert that he was the Alpha Dog, and that Mike would need to establish himself as the leader of Otto's pack. The trainer further explained that dog's have a pack mentality wherein one dog has dominance over everyone. Otto's behavior was a way of him presenting he was in charge.

Bruce followed the trainer's advice and started taking control over everything. The trainer explained to Bruce that Matt should wait first for permission to use any toy or even to eat. Matt needs to acknowledge that Bruce and his family were in control. Bruce put up Matt's toys and refrain form letting him to jump up on the couch or bed unless he sat first.

When Matt would want to play or go out, Bruce began training him to sit in front of the toy box or doorway. For when he sat on command, Bruce would let him play with a toy or open the door for him. If Matt would not follow, Bruce would not give Matt what he wanted. Bruce also instructed his kids how to do the same thing. At first Matt would not respond, but realized that he was not getting what he wanted, so he would follow to commands.

The trainer suggested games of fetch and using other active toys to excite Teru other than playing tug-of-wars. Even though this was one of Gab's favorite games to play with his pet, he observed that Teru's behavior worsened after they played this particular game. The trainer cited that these kinds of games are instinctual ways for dogs to assert dominance in the pack and should be avoided until Teru completely understands or acknowledge he's not the alpha dog in the house.

A few months later, Teru's aggression dissipated. Time and time again, Teru would try to reassert himself as the alpha dog, but the family now knows not to give in to any of his demands. Teru had truly improved and had matured for he no longer knocks down the kids when they would play, and he certainly stopped mounting on Gab. Gab even teaches Teru other tricks that he never thought he was capable of learning.

The key to Bruce's success with Matt was that the family had to institute dominance over Matt. As soon as Matt realized his spot in the hierarchy, he was better behaved and the aggression subsided.