Aggressive Dog Training Tips for a Friendlier Pet
When properly trained, dogs make for truly loyal and affectionate companions. Regrettably, it is sometimes the case that “man’s best friend” is a rather inaccurate way to describe these animals. Every year, more than 4 million people are victims of aggression from dogs, and among these, a significant percentage are severe enough to warrant medical attention. Occasional fatalities from serious dog bites are also an unfortunate reality.
To address this growing problem in the US, a number of states have taken action by banning certain breeds reported to be the most aggressive and likely to bite people if untrained, such as Dobermans, Rottweilers, pitbulls, Great Danes, huskies, and German shepherds.
However, to arrive at a conclusive solution, it is the pet owners who must take responsibility for their dogs and take proactive measures to train them in order to provide for their own safety and the safety of the people around them. The following enumerate a few aggressive dog training tips for pet owners who wish to make their dogs truly deserving of the designation “man’s best friend.”
- 1. Make sure your puppy receives all the necessary vaccinations, and provide it the opportunity for ample social interaction with other dogs and people. Take your dog to the park, the beach, or other places where it can play and feel at ease in its environment. Interacting with others at an early age will inculcate the understanding that humans and other pets are not threatening.
- 2. An important thing to recall and focus on in aggressive dog training is that a dog’s natural instinct is to bite things. If you notice your dog is about to bite someone or something you would rather be left intact, like your shoes or the furniture, distraction can be an effective technique. Clap your hands or loudly call your pet’s name; getting its attention in some way will cause it to begin associating biting with a negative reaction on your part. Get your dog a chew toy and reward it when it chooses to bite the toy instead of your shoe.
- 3. Remember to restrain your dog with a leash when you take it to a public place or when you interact with people who are unfamiliar to your pet. Dogs often find strangers startling and their behavior may become unpredictable. Also, when you leave your dog alone in the yard, make sure the fence is of a suitable size to contain it within your property.
- 4. Spaying or neutering your dog can help reduce its territoriality and dominance instincts. Reports indicate that the great majority of fatal dog bites are committed by non-neutered male dogs. So neutering your dog is a viable option to consider if you want a friendlier, more docile pet.
- 5. Always be aware of your dog’s behavior. If your pet continues to be hostile or unsociable despite your efforts in aggressive dog training, consult a vet or consider enrolling your dog in specialized classes or obedience training.
In conclusion, don’t overlook the difference you can make in reducing the occurrence of animal aggression by taking responsibility as a pet owner. Be patient, diligent, and attentive in training your dog; and don’t forget the above mentioned tips to help your dog become the ideal companion a pet should be.
