Here are some simple but important things to remember when you are dealing with an aggressive dog in your home.
1. DO NOT allow your dog on the bed, sofa or chairs at any time. Allowing your dog on these items makes the dog an equal.
2. Make sure that you ALWAYS eat before your dog. You are the Alpha and the Alpha always eats first. It's a small thing but it is important for your dog to understand where it is in the pack order.
3. DO NOT give your dog table scraps when you are eating at the table.
4. NO treats just for the heck of it. Your dog has to work for them. Example: a good sit stay, a down stay while you are eating, etc.
5. IGNORE your dog for a few minutes when you come home and then call it to you when you are ready.
6. Your dog MUST ALWAYS sit when it wants to go outside while you attach its leash.
7. If your dog is laying on the floor or sleeping make it move so you can pass by. This will reinforce your position as Alpha.
8. NO BONES for your dog. In the wild only the Alpha dog gets bones to chew.
9. ALWAYS go through doors first. Using a leash make your dog sit while you walk through doors first.
10. ALWAYS make sure when you give a command that you are able to make it happen if the dog does not do it. Remember; only give the command one time. It is very important that your dog is well trained with the obedience commands, especially the down and down-stay command.
Daily training sessions are important to keep your dog well trained and to establish you as the Alpha.
Please make sure you are consistent with your attitude toward your dog's training. Dogs need consistency to help them understand their order in the pack, we call this pack rank.
Correction Methods
You must consistently and firmly correct your dog every time it shows aggression. If you are not firm your dog will not learn that what it is doing is wrong. DO NOT comfort your dog when it has done something wrong it will only confuse your dog.
- A quick squirt from a spray bottle (straight stream, not a mist)
- Shake a soft drink can with some pennies inside (tape up the opening)
- A loud "Stop" command followed by a 10 minute time out
- A blast of a small air horn
Keep in mind that these methods are firm, but fair, and are needed behavior modification techniques to correct your dog's aggressive behavior and bring calm to your family and home.