So, onto the less fun stuff…
Training an Aggressive Dog
This is the issue that most often leads to tear-filled phone calls. And I don’t blame them. It can be hard to understand why a dog that seems so friendly most of the time can suddenly shift into a creature that looks vicious.
First caveat: It’s hard to advise on aggression issues from a distance. With aggression, the dog usually needs to be seen in person. Without proper training, aggression tends to get worse over time.
A couple of points on dealing with an aggressive dog:
- A trip to the vet is always advised when there’s a sudden behavioral change. A recent yearly check-up will not suffice; the vet needs to be told the issues so they can run specific bloodwork and body exams. Unsurprisingly, we also recommend consulting with a trainer (in person).
- Most aggression in pet homes is rooted in insecurity, fear, poor health, or pain. This does not mean that the consequences can’t be serious, or that the dog will simply “grow out of it.” Aggressive displays are serious and they need to be addressed. But aggressive display does not equal “bad dog” or “hopeless dog.” I know it’s easy to feel betrayed when a dog acts aggressively for what seems like no good reason. Most have a social deficiency and just need to be taught to act better. I’m not promising this will be easy, but it is absolutely something you can do.
- Dog bites rarely come “out of nowhere”, unless there’s a medical issue going on. Learning more about dog body language is essential to handling behavioral problems like aggression and fearfulness.
- You cannot simply resolve aggression with “socialization.” The dog will need behavioral rehabilitation/modification.
- Trainers and vets will likely ask about the severity of any dog bites or dog fights that have occurred. A good source for gauging severity is Dr. Ian Dunbar’s Dog Bite Scale, available here: http://www.dogtalk.com/BiteAssessmentScalesDunbarDTMRoss.pdf. A detailed list of all incidents can help the trainer to design an ideal rehab plan.
- Some people are reluctant to seek help because they’re worried they will be blamed for their dog’s issues. Good trainers will focus on solutions rather than blame. We believe that seeking help is a great step in the right direction, and that people should be commended for making the effort to improve life for their family and their dog.
- Almost all dogs can make progress with proper training. The long-term prognosis often depends heavily on the severity of the bites inflicted in the dog’s past, and the clarity of its warning signals. Some dogs will never be good candidates for a dog park or busy social environments (just like some people are picky about their friends and the types of environments they enjoy).
More reading:
If the dog-dog aggression occurs only when the dog is leashed, check out our page on leash manners.
If the aggressive behaviors involve food or territory, check out our page on resource guarding.
Is my dog too old for training?
I’m feeling hopeless about my dog.
If you would like a consultation in the Fresno or Clovis area on your dog’s aggression or possible aggression, contact us below.