Dogs are naturally aggressive. This characteristic of dogs evolved over many centuries ensuring their survival in the wild. Many centuries of selective breeding techniques have reduced dog aggression traits. Some tips to help you to understand your dogs aggressive behaviour are below.

What is the cause of dog aggression?

The most common causes are a lack of socialisation and experience with other people and the issue of dominance.

Aggression directed at strangers:

It is instinctive for a dog to be cautious and suspicious. If your dog isn’t used to being in unfamiliar situations it may become quite on edge around strangers and new environments. If you broaden your dogs knowledge and consistently provide positive experiences your dog will feel at ease when confronting a new situation. Take a look at our Dog Training Zone Review for more ideas to train aggressive dogs.

How can I change my dogs aggressive behaviour?

From a young age your dog needs to be socialised in order to feel comfortable in unusual situations. You will want to make sure your dog experiences new places, new people and new animals. Your dog will learn that new situations are safe and fun. Socialising is quite an easy thing to do. You might want to start with puppy pre-school. When you and your puppy feel relaxed around new dogs and people you will be able to broaden your area of socialisation. Your dog will continue to need socialisation, to stay stranger friendly.

Aggression with family members:

It is usual for dogs to react aggressively towards their own family members when they feel something of theirs is being threatened. This is known as resource guarding. If your dog gets snarly or growls at you when you are near where it is eating or playing with a toy, then you know you have a resource guarding problem. This is caused by a misunderstanding about where your dog fits in to the pack. Pack animals such as dogs need to know who is the boss. Packs are structured according to power and position in relation to everyone else in the pack. Since your dog does not have a dog family, it will rank itself against its human family and this ranking will tell it how to behave at all times. If your dog perceives himself to be at the top, it is his job to behave aggressively. If your dog behaves in a submissive/passive way it perceives its self to be ranked lower than other family members and wouldn’t dare growl or snarl if you approached during eating or if you took away a toy. It is up to you to reinforce in your dog that you are the leader and it is a lower ranking member of your pack.

Is there anything I can do about this?

Rebuild your authority with your dog by regular and consistent obedience training work. Regular behavior modification sessions are key to positive and effective progress. The more enjoyable you make these sessions, the more your dog will want to please you and remember to use lots of praise and treats.

Take a look at Secrets to Dog Training for more information about dog aggression and a whole host of other dog behavior problems. Browse an in-depth Secrets of Dog Training review at DogHelpdesk.com