All About Dogs -Dog Training

If your dog exhibits aggressive tendencies, then he is a nuisance and a disruption to your family life but worse than that, he is a menace to strangers and other animals. While still a puppy or even a young dog, it should not be too difficult to eliminate these bad habits and make him a sociable member of society, both within and outside the family.

However, if your dog is now an aggressive adult, your problem is now much bigger, because he poses a significant threat, with those fearsome teeth and his athleticism and speed of movement.

If your dog thinks he's the leader of the pack, then he will expect to dominate every one else, especially if he's had his own way up till now. Punishment is not the solution, because he will see this as confrontational and may lead to an increase in his aggression.

Your dog is dependent on you for his every need. But he doesn't know that, because he gets his own way all the time!  He can't use a can opener, he can't unlock the door and he can't put on his own leash. He must realise that he gets food, exercise and stimulation (and praise!) only when you decide.

Basic training for disobedient dogs should be to reward them when they show good behavior but refuse the reward for any negative behavior. As a rule, a dog loves to be played with and his head patted but this is not the case for an aggressive dog. Any physical limitation or contact on the dog can be perceived as threatening.

It is best to let your dog sniff your hand before you try to touch his head. It is better if you can make your dog sit and heel before any petting takes place.

Outside the house, your dog should be trained how to relax then sit whenever you attach his leash. These small jobs may be overlooked often because they do not seem to have much to do with dog aggression, however by doing these you are laying the foundation or setting the rules that you are the one in control.

If your dog has not had much formal training before, your training session need to be short and simple but frequent. Fifteen to twenty minutes should be enough to start with and just concentrate on one command, such as Sit!  

When dealing with your dog, or giving him commands, Keep It Simple. You have to be consistent with your praise and criticisms. This approach will reinforce his perception about acceptable behavior. Take note of anything that will trigger aggression on your pet's part.

Let's say your dog growls whenever you approach the sofa, Make him realize that the sofa is not his domain therefore prevent your dog from going there.

While training your dog for the correct behavior, have one member of your family to supervise the dog while keeping the other members away from the dog. This way your dog will rely on just one care taker and will be trained not to try to dominate anyone. Dogs by the way do not try to dominate those whom they need to rely on.

If you're not the boss, then he certainly will be! Dogs are pack animals and it is in his nature to be as dominant in the pecking order as he is allowed. This does not mean you have to impose a reign of terror on the animal, that would be counter-productive. He must learn that you are the provider of all his needs and therefore, his superior. Making him wait for his meal until he sits quietly will be a great start.

In a word, it's all about being the Alpha Dog. If your dog has always had his own way, then he will perceive himself as the alpha dog of the "pack" and will try to dominate everyone in the family. He will be dominant and protective towards his family and aggressive to strangers and outsiders.

Obviously, the earlier this dominant attitude is corrected, the better and easier it will be, because a puppy can't dominate anybody. Curing this in an adult dog requires expert help.

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Finally, if you are unable to give the time and committment to cure your dog's unacceptable behavior, it may be better for you and the dog to find him a new owner, who will be capable of establishing himself as the alpha dog. However, before things get to that critical stage, take some expert advice from the many sources available on the internet.

It doesn't have to cost a lot, in money or time, provided you are patient and persistent.

Having a happy, friendly, obedient dog will be worth all the effort!