Dog Training Secrets - Aggression

We love our pets and consider them part of our families, but having a pet that does not know how to act can be embarrassing for the owner. This is especially true with a dog that acts aggressively with strangers as well as family.

Signs that dog is nervous around strangers

If a dog is overly jumpy, can not sit still, leaps at the smallest sound, stares down strangers, etc, this means that the dog is nervous and is bound to act aggressively toward strangers.

The one major cause for this nervousness in dogs is due to the a lack of socialization with humans and other dogs. Since the dog he has never had the chance to get used to different people or animals, he will regard them with suspicion and act aggressively. This socialization is the owner's responsibility. This is a very important aspect of the rearing of the dog and it is best that this is accomplished while the dog is still a puppy.

Places such as the doggy park in your area, doggy preschool as well as the vet are excellent for this socialization to take place and for your dog to learn good social skills. From this, they will learn that new faces and other animals are nothing to fear. This socialization should be constant throughout the dog's life. Start off slow and slowly build up the dog's tolerance levels. Do not overwhelm the dog.

Why a Dog would be aggressive toward family

If a dog starts to snarl or growl or give the owner the "stink eye" as the owner tries to take away a toy or food, this signifies an aggressive behavior relating to a dominance issue that needs to be dealt with.

Leader of the Pack

Dogs are naturally pack animals which means that they are used to a very structured hierarchical system where position and power or dominance are allocated to each animal in the pack. Each animal is fully aware of the rank of every other animal, which means he knows specifically how to act in any given situation and will either be submissive or dominant based upon their ranking in the hierarchy.

In a family environment, the dog ranks each family member as well as itself. A dog that snarls or growls or gives the owner the stink eye when the owner tries to take away a toy or food views itself as the leader of the pack and it shall be up to the owner to train the dog in frequent daily obedience exercises to view him or her as the leader of the pack.

Consistent training and socialization of the dog shall eliminate undesirable aggressive behavior on the part of the dog. This is nothing to fear and shall be beneficial to both the dog and the owner.

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