If you have an Australian Cattle Dog that is showing signs of an aggression problem, then you'll want to grab a comfortable seat and read this article right away.
In the next few minutes, we're going to talk about aggression in Australian Cattle Dogs and what can be done to stop it. First, we'll talk about why they are among the most aggressive breed of dog. Next, we'll discuss using socialization as a solution. Lastly, we'll talk about preventive measures that you can take to avoid aggression in your dog.
First, let's discuss why Australian Cattle Dogs are so aggressive. ACD's were originally bred to be herders. They had to control large animals like cattle and horses that could potentially do them physical harm. As such, they have an inbred fear mechanism that can cause them to lash out when they feel apprehension.
ACD's also have a tendency to try to control their environment, and they will often protect their owner's possessions with fierce loyalty. That's what makes them fantastic watch dogs and loyal companions. It's also attributed to making them the 5th most aggressive breed of dog.
Let's discuss socialization. Socialization is simply the process of exposing your ACD puppy to new experiences slowly, and it's the most effective way to ensure your dog doesn't develop aggressive tendencies. Start to socialize a new pup by slowly exposing it to new experiences every day. As it begins to learn that it doesn't have to fear new things, it will drop it's guard and the fear that causes it to be aggressive will cease.
Another great option is doggy daycare. An effective way to socialize your puppy is to introduce it to another friendly dog. Let them play for longer and longer periods each day, until your pup becomes completely comfortable with the other dog.
In mature ACD's, socialization is still the best answer for aggression, although it's going to be a little more difficult. If you want to socialize an older dog, you should walk the dog alone for a few days, and slowly move into more populated areas as time passes. Practice giving your dog commands as you walk, and if he doesn't obey, tug slightly on his leash and stop him altogether. Repeat the process until your dog obeys immediately. The key is to take small, baby steps. You want to condition your dog to obey your commands immediately. If your dog does head off to fight another dog, you'll be able to stop him with a sharp command.
Next, we're going to talk about prevention. The best way to prevent aggression is to address it when your dog is still a puppy. Desensitization techniques like introducing it to other dogs slowly is most important. Obedience classes when the dog is young can also be an option. Aggression classes for ACD's work well because they are usually very small, with a high instructor to dog ratio.
If all else fails, there are two other options. If your dog is extremely aggressive and other techniques don't work, you may have to use a muzzle when your dog is around other people. Another option is neutering. This will lower aggression considerably, and will also eliminate odorous urine marking habits.
Finally, remember that ACD's should always be leashed in public. Their independent nature makes them very hard to train, but you must have patience. Follow the above mentioned tips, and you'll have a good start.
