Dealing with an aggressive dog requires immense patience, understanding, caution, and a healthy dose of dominant behavior from the human in the relationship. Aggression in dogs usually signals that they believe they are the leader of the pack and that their duty is to protect their pack at any cost. The larger the pack, the more intense their job becomes, and the more aggressive they may get. The sweetest, most loving dog who believes he is the dominant member of the household will transform into Fido from Hell the instant you take him outside or for a badly needed walk.
Aggressive dogs need leadership. They require a strong personality—not necessarily a physically strong person, but someone who can make decisions and stick to them. They also need a firm set of rules. You can’t decide one week that they aren’t allowed to lounge on the couch, only to permit it the following week. If multiple people are in the household, everyone needs to be on the same page for any headway to be made with the dog’s unruly behavior.
Key Steps to Address Aggression in Dogs
The first change in your dog’s life when dealing with aggressive behavior should be during walk time. While it may not always suit your schedule, try walking him when there are as few distractions as possible while he is undergoing re-education. A simple chain-link choker collar (not the type with spikes), used correctly, will help guide him in understanding his new domain. In one direction, the choker won’t release, which is the improper use of a choker. Decide which side you’ll walk him on—right or left—and stand with him on the appropriate side. When placing the choker around his neck, the loop that the leash attaches to should be on top, on the same side as you. You should be able to easily tighten and loosen the collar without assistance. The farther up on the neck you keep the choker, the more effective it will be. This method does not choke him; when used correctly, the dog is in control of his own comfort level, not the human.
Walk him beside you. When an aggressive dog walks ahead of you, it signals that he is the leader of the pack. You don’t want this. You want him to understand that you have the world under control. If he shows any signs of aggression during the walk, snap the choker and make him either sit or lie down. Alternatively, you can snap the choker, change direction, and walk confidently without catering to his behavior. Make sure he understands that sniffing, urinating, looking around, and other dog activities are done on your terms, not his. Walking this way with a tight, upright posture is one of the most significant changes you can make in his life when dealing with an aggressive dog.
Exercise a bit of control during mealtime, and yes, even spit in his food. While it may seem strange or amusing, this action actually establishes dominance. Just a few times, and he will associate you as the leader of the pack. Dogs are wolf-like in their interactions with humans. In the wild, the leader eats first, followed by the rest of the pack, leaving their scent all over the food. Spitting in his food sends a clear message. If he doesn’t eat it for a few days due to dominance, that’s okay. When he gets hungry enough, he will. If you replace his food because he’s not eating it, you’ll be handing him the dominant role.
An aggressive dog can benefit from time in a dog training class. While it may seem risky to bring him around a group of dogs and people, many training schools offer special assistance, including a few private lessons beforehand. Although it might seem like a huge expense, larger chain stores that offer pet training often provide two private lessons and two group classes for around $200. This can be a valuable way to introduce your dog to new situations without fear of making a mistake.
Unfortunately, part of dealing with an aggressive dog means living with the possibility that he may bite—either a human or another animal—and that someone may insist you put your beloved but beastly pal to sleep. In some cases, you may be able to fight it, such as if he bites a dog that approaches him off-leash, but your dog is on-leash. If you have control over your dog and intervene before a situation leads to biting, you’re less likely to face this unfortunate outcome. However, such incidents can change the way you feel about your dog, create doubts about your dog-rearing abilities, and cause problems with your neighbors. Nobody wants that—not even your dog.
These basic steps are a good start when dealing with the stress of having an aggressive dog. If you can address the root cause of his aggression, you can often curb it. Changes in your behavior will promote changes in his behavior. For instance, dogs that were beaten may carry an aggression streak toward similar people—such as a dog that was beaten by a man might not like men but can be taught that the men he knows are safe for him. After all, nearly all aggression is rooted in protection or fear. By dominating his world, you let him know that you are in control and there to provide protection for him. Dealing with an aggressive dog doesn’t have to end your relationship with an otherwise well-behaved companion.
