How to Cope With Dog Aggression in Your Home
Dog aggression in your home can cause an unsteady and fearful environment for both adults and children. There are several types of aggressive behavior, including dominant, territorial, parental and predatory aggression. These aggressive tendencies can be caused by many things, including inbreeding, improper socialization, abuse, isolation and being overly praised. It is important to deal with this aggression in the home before your dog tries to show its dominance through barking, nipping and biting.
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Instructions
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Prevent aggressive tendencies before they begin by properly socializing a puppy with several humans and other animals. Ideally, a puppy should see and interact with 50 to 100 other animals and humans in its first months of life.
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Identify the person that your dog feels the most aggression toward and allow this person to solely interact with the dog, including walks and feedings. This will show the dog that this person is in charge.
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Reward submissive behavior from your dog with praise and a treat. Signs of submissive behavior include lying down at your feet, putting ears back, rolling over, licking and lowering the head when being petted.
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Neuter a male dog. This process will help lower any aggressive tendencies, especially toward other male animals in the household.
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Practice consistency. Once a dog's boundaries have been established, do not allow him or her to win any arguments through growling. For instance, if he is on the couch and growls, physically remove him and use a stern voice to tell him "No." If he still growls, place the dog in a separate room until he shows signs of submission. Do not run away. Always show the dog that you are the master.
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Tips & Warnings
Contact a professional dog trainer if your attempts to resolve the aggressive behavior have been unsuccessful.
Keep children away from an aggressive dog.
