Thousands of dogs are euthanized every year because of problems with aggression. A bit of knowledge on your part may prevent your dog from being one of them.
DOMINANCE
Dogs, like wolves, are pack animals. Dominance within the pack is linear, which means that no two dogs are on the same level of dominance and only one can be the leader. The dog perceives the human members of its family as members of the pack.
Dominant dogs are those with the strongest instinctive drive to push for the alpha or “top dog” position. This type of dog will perceive a kind and soft human as weaker than them. Humans instinctively try to win the dog's affection by patting, spoiling and allowing the dog to get its own way, which reinforces the dog's dominant position. Therefore, dominance aggression is usually directed towards family members or people the dog is familiar with, when they inadvertently threaten the dog's social position. Common triggers are:
- hugging
- patting on top of the head
- standing over the dog
- direct eye contact
- conflict over food or toys
- trying to move on or off of beds
- grooming or trimming nails
- disciplining
- when the dog does not get its own way
Dominance is not fully expressed until 2-3 years of age. Any puppy showing dominance aggression under 6 months of age is a great concern.
Treatment requires a major commitment from the entire family. All the family members must establish dominance over the dog and this must be reinforced through the entire lifetime of the dog. The dog must learn that nothing in life is free and that the family members control the things he values.
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Obedience train. Train the dog to sit, stay, come, down, down-stay and heel. This is all about CONTROL. A head halter works great!
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Make the dog work for all valued assets. These include toys, touch and food. Give a command such as "sit" and make sure he responds before feeding or petting this is so that you are telling him what to do and not the other way around. Make sure he relinquishes any toys to all family members on command.
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No games. Dogs win all games they play and winning increases a dog's dominance. One should never play rough games like wrestling or tug-of-war with a dominant dog.
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No beds. Your bed is the prime sleeping spot. YOU are the boss so YOU get the bed - not the dog!
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Keep on leash. Again, you need to be in control, not him. A head halter gives you even more control. Exercise is extremely important to burn off energy and the dog should be walked as much as possible.
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Neuter. Aggression is inherited so this will prevent it from being passed on to offspring.
Throughout the life of the dog it is important reinforce the family's dominance over the dog by using handling exercises and to maintain an attitude of “people are boss”. A dominant dog must always be supervised with visitors, especially children.
TERRITORIAL
Dogs have a normal drive to defend their territory, and most owners want their dog to alert them when someone is in the yard. Problems arise when this drive is too strong and the dog growls, lunges or bites at visitors or chases people. The problem is compounded when the dog learns that it can frighten away people, since most people quickly back off when confronted with a growling or barking dog. Once the dog learns that this behavior is effective it becomes worse and is more difficult to eliminate. Dominant dogs tend to be more territorial as well.
Treatment of this type of aggression involves getting control. Obedience train your dog so that you have control. Then teach the dog to do something other than the unwanted behavior. For example:
- If your dog is aggressive towards people when they come to the door, train him to go to his bed and lie down whenever anyone comes to the door. Start by teaching the "bed" command without anyone else present. After he is responding consistently have a friend approach the door, when he starts to react get his attention, give him the "bed" command and then reward him if he listens. Increase the training gradually. After he is good when someone is just approaching the door, then get them to ring the door bell, then enter the house. Make sure the dog is responding well at each step before moving on.