How to Train Aggressive Dogs

All dogs are inherently good. It is the way they are raised and nurtured that determines their tendency toward respectfulness or aggression. A dog does not become belligerent all on his own, and isn't only abused animals that show signs of aggression. If an owner allows a dog to become dominant in a relationship, this too can lead to aggressive behavior, because the dog will try and maintain his newfound control. You must train a dog early on to prevent aggressive behavior, but if you have adopted an older dog that exhibits this tendency, there are ways to combat it.

Things You'll Need

• Dog treats
• Leash
• Collar
• Muzzle

Instructions

1. Play a dominant role. Always remember that you are the dominant being in the relationship, and it is your responsibility to keep your dog under control. While dogs are important members of the family and should be treated with love and respect, they should always understand their social ranking in the family hierarchy. You are the leader. Always make your dog walk next to or behind you, lower his head when you reach out to pet him and obey all of your commands.

2. Train puppies the difference between play and aggression. Puppy playfulness can often be a misconstrued as aggression, but if a puppy is playing too hard or roughly, you need to nip it in the bud early. Puppies must be handled gently, especially around children. If a puppy bites, he should be reprimanded, but most puppies are not intentionally hurting you; they simply haven’t yet learned the limits of play.

3. Socialize your dog. You dog should be comfortable around humans and other animals. The best way to do this is to introduce her to many types of people and animals. Aggressive dogs should be introduced to well-behaved and -trained dogs, but in the beginning stages of training, they should be kept on a leash at all times and muzzled if necessary. Once a dog begins to learn submission and respect, she can be introduced to other adults and children in a controlled environment.

4. Write down what triggers your dog's aggressive behavior. If you know what sets him off, you’ll be better able to prevent these situations. Once you understand the triggers, begin to counter-condition them one by one. For example, if your dog becomes aggressive when you try to cut his nails, you’ll want to address this issue by gradually conditioning him to have his paws handled and working your way toward introducing the clippers. If your dog begins to cooperate, reinforce this good behavior with praise or a treat. Be patient and work his triggers gradually.

5. Increase contact. If your dog has become overly aggressive with you, have greater contact with him. Don’t let a dog cause you to be fearful, because this shows that his behavior works. Tighten your control by being his sole provider. Without you, he will not have food, water, love or play time. So provide him with what he needs, so he sees that you can’t be chased away or controlled.

6. Reward obedience. All of the tricks and commands animals learn in their training are submissive behaviors. When your dog obeys a command, she is showing she respects you as the dominant creature in the relationship. This behavior should be praised with affection and treats. If your dog is aggressive, but still shows some signs of submissive behavior, you should use the commands she respects as often as possible to increase the frequency of her submissive behavior.

7. See a professional animal behaviorist. If you’ve tried everything and the problem is only getting worse, you should consult a professional. Experienced animal behaviorists are able to pinpoint problems that owners may be unable or unwilling to see. They can walk you through the steps and train you to handle your dog more effectively.

Tips & Warnings

• While aggression can almost always be treated, some dogs can never fully be trusted. You never know what might trigger a dog, so you should always beware.