How to Train Aggressive Puppies

If you want to aggression train your puppy, you want to do it correctly. Schutzhund is a world-recognized sport that instills acceptable canine behavior, while giving a broad background in obedience, guard and protection training, and tracking. Simply aggravating your dog into attacking you or someone else, in an effort to make him "protect," is as dangerous and uncontrolled as a gun with no safety latch. Seek qualified training advice in order to ensure that your aggression training is reliable and safe. Move into aggression training only after you have established good basic obedience training.

Things You'll Need

• Training sleeve
• Full body suit padding
• Face mask (fencing mask is appropriate)
• Heavy boots
• Leash
• Training collar

Instructions

1. Enlist the help of a willing person for the "assailant." It is best to not use someone your dog will be in contact with regularly, such as family members or friends. Provide the person with a training sleeve. With your dog firmly in hand on a leash with an appropriate training collar, entice the dog to latch onto the sleeve. Praise your dog when he grabs the attacker's arm. Command your dog to release immediately, and praise him for an instant release.

2. Call your dog back into position at your side, using the basic obedience "heel" command. Praise him for his return and calm demeanor. If your dog remains excited or intent on continuing the aggression, walk him away from the area. Get his attention focused on you and basic obedience work, until he is calm and responsive.

3. Repeat the training sleeve work until your dog is completely responsive to your commands, paying close attention to the release command. As your dog's hold becomes more sure and strong, have your assailant attempt to swing him off. Your dog should not release until told to let go.

4. Dress your assailant in full body padding with face protection. Make sure he is wearing heavy boots to protect his feet and ankles. With your dog in heel position at your side, have your attacker run from you. Unleash your dog and command him to stop the assailant, using the command of your choice. When your dog has the assailant under control, command him to release and return to your side. Praise your dog for a job well done. If he remains wound up, move away from the area and work on basic obedience until he has calmed down and is focused.

5. Return to the assailant and command your dog to sit. Command your dog to "hold" the assailant. In that position your dog should remain in a sitting position unless the assailant moves. If the assailant attempts to run or attack, command your dog to stop him. Repeat until you do not have to prompt your dog to grab onto the assailant when he moves.

Tips & Warnings

• Seek the advice and help of an experienced Schutzhund (protection) trainer to ensure proper responses from your dog. Protection training is serious, and can cause injuries if you or your dog is not well trained. To avoid confusion and unwanted attacks, commands to attack, or to run after an assailant, should be words you do not use in normal, everyday conversation.

• Never play with your "attack" words. Once trained, your dog will react to the commands. Most dogs do not need to be trained specifically to be aggressive in order to protect their home or family. Dogs that are bred to be protective, such as German shepherds, Doberman pinschers and rottweilers, do not need additional aggression training. They are naturally endowed with the desire to protect. They will do their duties and be safer and saner companion animals in an average family without promoting further aggression that could make them dangerous or less stable. If you desire a trained aggression dog, it is important that all of your basic obedience commands are well ingrained first to keep your animal in control and safe to be around.

Resources

• Schutzhund-Training.com