Dogs Are From Sirius....Part 4  A Few Words About Dominance & Aggression

In today's world, there is little tolerance for a dog that bites a person. If you have a dog that bites, your dog's life is in danger. If you own such a dog and wish to change your dog's behavior, you must be willing to make changes to your relationship with your dog. The majority of aggression cases that I see are owner-caused, by a lack of understanding of canine needs and canine communication. It may sound harsh, but frankly, without the owner's complete commitment to the rehabilitation period, the dog would be better off being euthanized. If you have an older puppy or dog with dominance/aggression problems, please consult a behavioral specialist. PLEASE NOTE: Not all biting dogs are dominant or aggressive. A fearful dog may also bite. Your behaviorist will be your best guide in determining what action to take. Fear-biters may require a different approach. But please, run, do not walk, to the behaviorist. Do not pass GO or collect $200. Do not fool yourself into thinking the dog will outgrow it, or that the obedience class you're scheduled to start next month will change it. Obedience training by itself may not be sufficient to resolve this issue. There are specific procedures other than those taught at obedience classes that are important in treating this problem. These techniques are designed to modify the dog's dominant motivation and specific aggressive behaviors; the techniques vary from case to case, depending on the severity of the problem and the circumstances that trigger it; and are best evaluated by a professional. While you are finding that professional help, you might want to begin our Leadership Program as a benign way of beginning to assert yourself as being the 'in charge' member of the pack. Go to part 5 - "Tag! You're It!" Return to Training Articles Index