Dog Aggression and the 6 Greatest Tips To Stop it!

Dog aggression can be quite stressful for dog parents. Dogs tend to behave aggressively for many reasons, including fear, poor training, or frustration. Lack of exercise or proper socialization can make dogs feel bored, which can also lead to aggressive behavior. You might notice signs such as snapping, biting, or growling, which can become a serious problem for dog parents. Here are some tips to help stop dog aggression.

1. Use Positive Reinforcement

Rewarding good behavior can motivate your dog to display behavior that is acceptable. Give your dog a treat when he controls his aggressive behavior. You can also give him toys, spend time with him, pet him, or even praise him when he is well-behaved. Make sure you do not punish bad behavior since this can discourage him and may lead to further aggression. Train your dog to understand that he will only be praised and rewarded if he shows good behavior. Be sure not to overdo it on the treats. Giving too many treats could lead to other health problems and your pup could come to expect a treat every time he shows good behavior.

2.Avoid Triggers of Dog Aggression

Observe and identify what triggers dog aggression. You can start by observing your dog’s body language. A lowered head, low body posture, or tail tucked between his legs are signs of aggression. Other signs include licking lips, looking away, dilated eyes, shivering, or shaking. Try and avoid situations that produce aggressive behavior in your dog. For example, if your dog has a fear of strangers, you can initially start training him in your own backyard. If you find that dog parks make your dog anxious or fearful, choose a quieter spot to exercise. You can also try changing the route for dog walks. Confining your dog until he no longer feels threatened might help. However, make sure not to confine your dog for long periods.

3. Discourage Dominant Behavior

Depending on your dog’s breed and other factors, he might be a dominant dog. You need to be calm and assertive when training your dog. You need to lead him and train him the way you want him to behave. If you don’t, he will instinctively learn behavior that he feels is right. Be firm during training. Reinforce calm behavior in your dog when he gets over excited. Walk away for some time until he is calm.

4. Socialize Your Dog

Lack of socialization as a puppy can lead to your dog being fearful when he sees new people, animals, or situations. You need to familiarize your dog to various types of people. Get him familiar with other animals and situations such as children, cars, and subway noises. There are many ways you can socialize your dog. For example, group walks are a great way to socialize and exercise your dog in a structured environment. Through proper socialization, you can introduce your dog to other well behaved dogs. This will teach your dog how to behave around other dogs and dog owners.

5. Desensitize Your Dog to Triggers of Aggression

Desensitizing your dog to his triggers involves slowly introducing him to the trigger. For example, if your dog fears loud noises, you can play the sound of car traffic at a low volume from an app while he is safe in his crate.  Gradually increase the volume over the course of days or weeks until your dog does not react aggressively when he hears it. The aim of desensitization is to expose your pup to the things he fears in a safe and controlled way.

6. Provide Consistent Training Sessions

Be sure to keep training sessions short and consistent. Always end training on a positive note. This way he is bound to look forward to future sessions. With the correct training, you can train your dog to calm himself in an aggressive situation. Use treats and praise him when he responds well to your commands during sessions. Take it slowly, do not expose the trigger too much to your dog, since this might worsen your dog’s behavior. For example, if your dog gets aggressive around strangers, start off by asking a friend your dog has never met to help you. Ask him to remain far enough, where your dog does not start to bark or snap. Gradually decrease the distance. Create a plan and stick to it. Consistent training will reinforce good behavior in your dog over time.

Dealing with an aggressive dog requires a lot of patience. It is unrealistic to expect results overnight. With the correct training, your dog will learn to show good behavior. As a dog parent, you need to be calm and assertive to deal with aggressive behavior. Understand what affects your dog and work towards helping him control his aggression. You can also seek help from a professional dog trainer.  Buster and Whiskers is a Dog Training Service located in Astoria, NY that helps rehabilitate dogs through socialization and structured group walks. You can reach out to them in you live in Astoria, NY and need help training and socializing your dog.

Buster and Whiskers is a Dog Walking Service, Dog Training Service, and Dog Hiking Service located in Astoria, NY. We offer affordable and quality Dog Walking Services, Dog Training Services, and Dog Hiking Services in Astoria, Queens, NY.  Contact us if you need a reliable and professional Dog Walker in Astoria.