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3 Keys To Preventing Aggressive Behaviour In Dogs
- 13/08/2010
- Categorized in: Behaviour
Each day there are people who use the internet and do a search for the keys to preventing aggressive behaviour in dogs. So why do you suppose they need this assistance?
There are many causes of aggressive behaviour in dogs. It might be due to a dominance related issue between you and the dog, or it might be a trigger that was never properly dealt with from puppy-hood – such as an attack by a different dog. Whatever is causing your dog’s aggression, however, you need to address it as soon as possible. The results of prolonged aggression can be not only scary, but dangerous if not quickly taken to task.
What Is The Source of Aggressive Behaviour in Dogs? Dog aggression can start as young as 6 weeks of age, a crucial age when a puppy should be socialized with other dogs and given the necessary training that keeps them from biting other people. This period of socialization lasts until the dog turns 14 weeks of age and can extend even further beyond that. A dog needs to have been properly socialized with people and other dogs by the time he reaches 14 weeks to avoid any future aggression issues.
Actual aggressive behaviour in dogs can be triggered by any number of factors. Heredity and genetics are certainly factors – some breeds can be more aggressive than others – but it is by no means a hard and fast rule. Additionally, dogs that have not been neutered or spayed are more prone to aggressive tendencies. By far, however, the most important factor in creating aggressive behaviour in dogs is their environment. A dog that has poor living conditions, harsh masters, no socialization, or that has been frightened or attacked by another dog is far more likely to be aggressive as it ages. Aggression can grow from the need to establish a pack pecking order. Biting, posturing, and other aggressive tendencies are often the result of a dog testing for dominance. You’ll need to establish dominance at a young age and maintain that position throughout the dog’s adolescence to ensure it doesn’t get a chance to take control of the household.
It could be helpful to know a few of the specifics. By way of example, you need to understand how to stop and control aggressive behaviour in dogs. If your dog exhibits aggressive behaviour after 14 months of age, when it has reached sexual maturity, especially after it has been altered, you should address the problem immediately. First, make sure you have established yourself as the pack leader. Don’t reward your dog for aggressive behavior, even if it is scared (especially in this case). Train your dog to respond to your commands, control feeding and walking times, and make sure the dog has a strong leader in the house. If you defer to the dog or allow it to take liberties in your home, it will exhibit stronger aggression toward others.
Aggression can grow from the need to establish a pack pecking order. Biting, posturing, and other aggressive tendencies are often the result of a dog testing for dominance. You’ll need to establish dominance at a young age and maintain that position throughout the dog’s adolescence to ensure it doesn’t get a chance to take control of the household.
It is only logical that if you find yourself having to cope with a dog that is defensive-aggressive, the dog may strike out at a person in fear. The fact that these dogs may not have been properly socialized is a factor that must always be considered. Keep them away from small children (which they may see as direct threats) and attend a training session or work with a behaviourist who can slowly acclimate the dog to a social atmosphere. Then the best thing to bear in mind is that aggressive behaviour in dogs is a huge problem that many owners have, but it can be controlled, even as your dog gets older. If your dog’s aggression ever advances to violence, consider hiring a professional to intervene before someone gets hurt and your dog is held responsible.
O.K. then, listed here are those 3 points you’ll want to do your best in order to avoid:
To start with, we must carefully analyse those factors most likely to produce aggressive behaviour in dogs.
First, never take a puppy away from its litter before 8 weeks of age. The primary reasoning with this is the fact that a dog needs to have been properly socialized with people and other dogs to avoid any future aggression issues.
How do you identify how much time is needed? This customarily takes approximately 14 weeks, but may take longer.
Second, never use harsh discipline with the puppy between 8 and 10 weeks and make sure the dog is very gently treated in that time. And, tell me, just why would that be? As stated previously, dog aggression can start as young as 6 weeks of age, a crucial age when a puppy should be socialized with other dogs and given the necessary training that keeps them from biting other people. This period of socialization lasts until the dog turns 14 weeks of age and can extend even further beyond that.
Second, never use harsh discipline with the puppy between 8 and 10 weeks and make sure the dog is very gently treated in that time. And why is that? As stated previously, dog aggression can start as young as 6 weeks of age, a crucial age when a puppy should be socialized with other dogs and given the necessary training that keeps them from biting other people. This period of socialization lasts until the dog turns 14 weeks of age and can extend even further beyond that.
Third, avoid striking, yelling or other harsh punishments at a young age. The true reason for that is that engaging in such violent acts toward your dog can breed aggressive behaviour over time.
Third, avoid hitting, yelling or other harsh punishments at a young age. It is because engaging in such violent acts toward your dog can breed aggressive behaviour over time Just how do we tell if it is enough avoidance? Once you have trained your dog to respond to your commands, controlled feeding and walking times, and made sure the dog has a strong leader in the house, you have engaged in those actions most likely to prevent aggressive behaviour in dogs.
Through the elimination of these negatives, you accentuate the remaining positives. By avoiding the negative problems that might possibly rob you of success, you guarantee yourself of a better shot at the positive benefits that will be associated with preventing aggressive behaviour in dogs.
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Thats good advice. I have an 11 month Cavalier King Charles and she is a very calm dog. Most of the time she wont jump up on the couch while I am sitting on it until I tell her to do so and she is very calm around other dogs and children. I never treat her harshly but I do use a deep voice on her when she does womething wrong. I never hit her or punish her in any such harsh way.
Very conceptual and informative tips.. Really helpful in controlling aggressive behaviour in Dogs..