A Closer Look at Dog Aggression
Dog aggression is a behavior and NOT a title. Often, dogs will exhibit an aggressive response as a way of expressing their feelings of being unsafe, having no clear guidance from their home life, or feeling like they don't know how to deal with certain people, other animals, and/or situations. When dog aggression shows up toward guests, other pets and/or family members, it can be stressful and emotionally taxing for loving dog owners. Trust us, we know!
The good news is that dog aggression training exists, so the problem can be addressed and changed. Learning about what is causing your dog's behavior is the initial step to establishing calmness, enhancing communication, and creating a safe and peaceful environment for both you and your dog in your home.
My Dog Is Very Aggressive - Why Does This Happen?
Aggression is a common behavioral issue seen in dogs and is typically the result of your dog feeling threatened, being overwhelmed, or simply unsure about what to do.
The combination of fear, stress, and an excess of adrenaline will cause a dog to behave in ways that can appear dangerous; however, this is primarily a result of emotional overload, not intent.
There are many common forms of dog aggression, including:
- Maternal aggression for puppy protection (instinct)
- Resource guarding for food or toys protection (valued items)
- Territorial aggression to defend home
- Protective aggression to safeguard family members
- Pain-related aggression in response to injuries or discomfort
- Conditioned aggression as a learned behavior due to inconsistent or ineffective training
Reactivity vs. Dog Aggression
Even though people commonly confuse reactivity with dog aggression, they are not the same at all. Reactive dogs typically respond to an everyday situation, such as meeting another dog while walking or being exposed to an unusual noise. Although these reactions may look aggressive, they are usually driven by fear, frustration, or poor self-control, not by being truly aggressive.
Most "aggressive" dogs are simply reactive. Our professional dog trainers in Fort Collins have years of experience working with reactive dogs. They develop customized dog aggression training programs that focus on addressing your dog's underlying emotions, not just the apparent signs of aggression.
Why Do Some Dogs Develop Reactive Behavior?
Reactivity is commonly developed in dogs that become overwhelmed by their environment or lack the proper preparation to deal with many of the things they encounter.
The most common contributors to reactive behaviors in dogs are:
- Missed or limited socialization early in life
- Previous stressful or traumatic events in their lives
- Impulse control problems
- Ongoing exposure to unpredictable living conditions
- Confusion or inconsistent human handling
With the right approach, such as personalized, in-home dog training, you can determine whether your dog's behavior is truly due to reactivity or actual dog aggression, allowing you to find the best route to resolve your dog's problem behavior.
Living with Dog Aggression: What Helps and What Doesn’t
What Doesn’t Work
Ignoring the Behavior
When dog aggression is ignored, they are likely to misinterpret the lack of reaction from the owner as an indication of permission. Ignored aggressive behavior rarely resolves itself without intervention and usually gets worse over time.
Avoiding/Over-Managing Triggers
While avoiding stimuli that provoke your dog's aggressive behavior may temporarily decrease the number of incidents, it does not address the underlying reason for your dog's aggression.
While management (or avoidance) may provide some degree of safety, it still provides a significant opportunity for setbacks, so when an unforeseen situation arises, all of the previous months of avoiding certain stimuli could be undone.
What DOES Work
Personalized Dog Aggression Training
Each dog aggression has unique causes. To effectively train a dog that displays aggressive behavior, you must first identify the emotional and/or environmental factors, and communication gaps that contribute to your pet reaction.
At Bark Busters, our professional dog trainers in Fort Collins focus on practical, step-by-step training with communication based methods. NO punishment, or use of devices, or "quick fix" solutions.
In addition, each family receives guidance on how to incorporate the training into their daily lives and apply it in ways that will create long-lasting changes and allow them to enjoy a safe and calm environment in their homes.
You don’t have to live with dog aggression.
Get help from your local trainer today.
How to Manage Dog Aggression at Home
Taking the appropriate initial actions may help restore the safety and comfort you have always had in your home.
Work with an Experienced Bark Busters Trainer in Fort Collins
An experienced professional specialized in dog aggression training will be able to determine why your dog is acting aggressively toward other dogs and create a custom training plan for your home and your lifestyle.
Most dog owners do not know how to train their dog, and therefore, they do not get any results from trying to manage this type of problem by themselves. Working with an experienced professional will allow you to have a safe, happy home and a strong, trusting bond between you and your dog.
Our professional dog trainers at Bark Busters are here to support you through every step of managing your dogs' aggression.
Use the Right Equipment
Pick a good quality, well-fitting harness or collar with a suitable length of leash to be able to manage your dog during walks safely. Depending on how aggressive your dog has been, there are other products available to help keep both you and your dog safe as you train, such as a proper-fitting muzzle and/or crate.
Limit Exposure to Triggers
If possible, limit the time your dog spends around things you know will cause a reaction. This will allow you to give your dog some breathing room and provide him/her with an opportunity to learn how to react to these situations with less anxiety and stress.
Do Not Use Forceful Training Methods or Punish Your Dog
Training methods that use force or punishment (such as prong collars, choke chains, or shock collars) can increase your dog's level of fear and make dog aggression worse. The Bark Busters way of teaching is based upon providing your dog with calm and assertive leadership using positive reinforcement instead of trying to intimidate your dog into behaving.
Always remember: change occurs when your dog learns to trust you and wants to change, not because your dog fears what might happen if they doesn't change.
You Don’t Have to Face Dog Aggression Alone
Whether you're seeing the first signs of aggressive behavior in your dog (young or old), or dealing with years of existing dog aggression, which has been causing worry and stress, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
At Bark Busters, we provide Fort Collins dog aggression training for many concerned dog owners who are looking for professional guidance. Our experienced dog trainers have worked one-on-one with thousands of families to assist them in establishing calmness, safety, and trust back into their relationship with their dog.
Don't face this challenge alone. Contact your local Bark Busters trainer today and begin taking steps towards a safer, less stressful life with your best friend.