10 Simple Steps To Help Prevent Aggressive Behavior
by Susan Engel, Certified Trainer

• Top 3 Steps to help prevent aggression

  • #1 Step: Research a breed before buying.

  Call an obedience trainer and ask about a breeds' disposition. Avoid choosing one known for aggressive tendencies. Review this website to find out the challenges each breed presents. www.Yourpurebredpuppy.com

  • #2 Step: Balanced At-Home Crating until 3 yrs of age.

  This is one of the most important things you can do for your dog. It is the "C" in our TLC Approach. Balanced At-Home crating teaches your dog how to be calm in the crate when you are home as well as teaches them to work through frustration which will help your overall training and prevent separation anxiety from developing in the future.

  • #3 Step: Leadership/obedience training.

  Puppy training classes are fun and a good idea, but they are only the beginning. Effective leadership and obedience training is a lifestyle, not just a few months of training. Teach your dog a standard of manners and hold them to those standards for their entire life.
  

 

• More Steps to help prevent aggression
  
  • Spay/Neuter your dog.

  Unneutered males are more dominant and female may become grumpy during their estrus cycle.

  • Socialize your dog.

  Around different people, noises objects and situations. Be sure not to overwhelm your do when doing this. All interaction when socializing should be calm and positive. This will prevent unreasonable fears.

  • Avoid bed or sofa sleeping.

  Sleeping on beds and sofas are powerful ways to communicate your dog is boss and you are a sibling not a leader. Dogs respect and listen to leaders not siblings.

  • Avoid tug of war games.

  This teaches your dog that fighting for something he wants is okay.

  • Avoid leaving your dog unattended outside for extended periods of time.

  When dogs spend extended periods of time outside in a yard or kennel they are more prone to developing barking issues and protective/territorial behavior as well as a strong a prey drive each of these can lead to aggression.

  • Avoid praising protective behavior.

  Never allow your dog to determine who is friend or foe. They will eventually make the wrong decision with possible devastating consequences.

  • Avoid over-correcting your dog. There is never a reason to hit a dog or even yell at a dog.

  Over-correcting is unfair, ineffective and can create a fear-biting dog. Effective training will allow you to get your dog’s attention and eliminate any need for over-correction. J