How to Handle Fear Aggression in Dogs
Handling fear aggression in a dog requires patience and consistent reinforcement and, in some cases, drug therapy. In all instances of fear aggression, the younger the dog is, the more likely you are to permanently alter his hostility. Because fear aggression may be the result of another aggressive problem, such as territorial aggression, the underlying catalyst must be determined and the dog's behavior modified.
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Instructions
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Provide a safe environment for people and other animals. While training your dog to modify his fear aggression, you must take steps to ensure that others are safe. This may mean keeping him in a secure fence or kennel. You are responsible for any injuries that your dog may inflict upon another human or animal and if you were aware that your dog had a problem, you may face criminal charges.
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Train your dog to modify his fear aggression of visitors. Unfortunately, a dog learns from the results of his previous actions and if your dog barks at a stranger on the sidewalk and the stranger leaves, your dog is likely to repeat his behavior when other strangers are on the sidewalk. Instead, recruit acquaintances to approach your home while you request that your dog sit by your side. He may still bark but if you practice this technique often, he may begin to understand that his aggression does not keep the person from approaching and that the person will not harm him.
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Keep your dog on a short leash and prevent him from meeting other dogs nose to nose to reduce aggression. Walk your dog in the traditional "heel" position, with his head aligned with your left hip and move to the far side of the sidewalk or off the sidewalk, keeping your body between your dog and the other dog and his owner. Wrap the excess portion of the leash around your hand until you can easily control your dog's movement. Issue the command, "Leave it."
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Request that your dog sit and stay while a person or a dog passes. If his behavior is uncontrollable while walking on a leash, make him sit while you stand directly in front of him, blocking his view of the other person or dog until they pass. Don't expect to modify your dog's behavior right away. It takes time and lots of practice to re-train fear aggression.
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Use an unpleasant stimulus if your dog redirects his aggression to another animal or human. When a dog become fearful, dominate instinct may take over and he may attack another dog or his owner if they are in close proximity to him. Squirt the dog with a water hose or use sound alarm, but don't strike him physically as it may exacerbate the aggression. Immediately, remove your dog from the situation. It may help to isolate him in a darkened room while he calms down.
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Keep a mother dog in a secure area where she feels that her puppies are safe. Maternal dog aggression is often the result of the dog's fear that something may harm her litter. This fear aggression may develop before the puppies arrive. Restrict visitors if the dog is aggressive.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask your veterinarian about drug therapy to calm your dog while you work to modify his behavior.
When your dog is frightened, he may act on instinct and bite. Take precautions to avoid injury to humans and other animals.
References
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