How to Stop a Dog From Being Aggressive Toward Dogs

Do you have one of those dogs who "doesn't play well with others?" Did you ever have to leave the dog park or veterinarian's office hanging your head in shame? Fear is most often at the root of this type of behavior—and there are various steps to curb the aggression.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Dog leash
• Dog treats

1. Take your dog to parks where there are other dogs, but try to keep enough distance so that your dog sees the other dogs, but doesn’t react.
2. Try to get your dog to focus his attention on you before he notices another dog approaching.
3. Pull your dog's leash sideways rather than straight as the other dog approaches. Pulling straight towards you will only enable your dog to stay grounded and in control. Sideways will make him less balanced and give you better control of the situation.
4. Distract your dog by dropping a can of stones if he starts to act aggressively. Do not yell. That will only condition him to associate your negative reaction with other dogs.
5. Reduce the distance between your dog and other dogs gradually. Reward him with a treat for his calm behavior and willingness to pay attention to you rather than fixating on other dogs. Once you feel that your dog can be relaxed while walking close to other dogs, you can begin the positive association process.
6. Arrange to introduce your dog to another dog that is passive. Have your dog on a leash and the other dog held on a leash by his guardian. Meet somewhere neutral, preferably a place your dog has never been. If he feels like it’s his territory, he will view the other dog as an intruder.
7. Read your dog's body language when he meets the other dog. If he stiffens up, stares directly at the other dog for a prolonged period, has raised hair, growls, pulls on the leash to reach the other dog, or has a stiff tail, end the meeting for the time being. Walk the dogs in view of each other while talking to your dog in a cheerful tone.
8. Repeat this process with the same dog or other dogs on different days
9. Enroll your dog in an obedience class with a trainer who understands the sources of dog aggression if the previous steps don't work. Group training usually works better than one-on-one training for dogs that are dog aggressive.

Tips & Warnings

• A retractable leash can be useful when introducing your dog to other dogs. It gives your dog more freedom of movement, yet lets you control the situation if necessary.
• Status or Dominance Aggression can be reduced by neutering your male dog.
• Never physically punish your dog for being aggressive. That will only make matters worse.
• Never physically break up a dog fight. Make a loud noise to startle them such as banging a metal trash can lid. Then remove the aggressor. Grabbing the victim might make the aggressor try to attack again.
• A wagging tail is not necessarily a sign of friendship.