How to Rehabilitate an Aggressive Dog at an Animal Shelter
Although many dogs are taken in by animal shelters, not all of the dogs are ready to be adopted. Due to a lack of human interaction or in some cases abuse, dogs can be aggressive and lack socialization skills. In most cases, aggression is a sign of fear. It is important to train and handle an aggressive dog correctly so that the humans around it are safe. Also, the rehabilitation process should be designed so that the dog builds a sense of trust and a desire to interact calmly with humans.
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Instructions
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Study the behavior of the dog and determine what triggers the aggression. In some cases, a dog may be aggressive toward other dogs or animals. If animal aggression is present, keep the dog away from other animals and work on overall obedience.
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Construct a rehabilitation plan based on the dog's specific triggers and needs. Aggression can be the result of fear, frustration or dominance, according to the Cesar's Way website. Creating a focused rehabilitation plan based around the dog's observable behaviors will increase the likelihood of success.
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Work with a fear-aggressive dog slowly in order to gain its trust. The R+ Dog Training website explains that it is important to build the dog's confidence and increase its trust in people. Clicker training (associating a definitive sound with desired behaviors via clicking device) is one example of training that uses positive reinforcement.
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Rehabilitate an aggressive, dominant dog through the use of exercise and steady human interaction. A dominant dog can be dangerous to humans, so use a muzzle when necessary. Dominant dogs must learn that humans are in charge, but not threatening.
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Realize that not all dogs can be rehabilitated. There are cases where genetics and bad breeding have cemented a dog's personality.
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Tips & Warnings
Rehabilitation involves building trust. Combine obedience training with rewards such as treats, toys, playtime, exercise and affection once the dog begins to progress.
The more aggressive an animal is, the more important it becomes for a professional to oversee its rehabilitation. If a dog attacks someone or causes an injury, it will likely be euthanized. Consider the consequences prior to attempting behavioral modification.
