There is an ongoing debate regarding if an aggressive dog can be rehabilitated. Some people feel that if a dog has bitten several people, they are simply “bad dogs” which cannot ever successfully be trained to be friendly. Others maintain that there are no inherently bad dogs, and with the right amount of love and diligence, they can overcome their aggressive behavior.
The reality is that there is a full spectrum of dogs and behaviors, and there is no easy answer which covers all situations. If you have an aggressive dog, here are some tips which may help you.
What Caused the Aggression?
Although there may be a few dogs which are simply born mean, virtually every behavioral issue can be traced back to a traumatic event in your dog’s life. If your pet was adopted as a rescue animal, you may never know what exactly they have been through. But the basis of all aggressive behaviors is fear. Something or someone caused enough fear in your animal that they cannot appropriately cope with the stress of confronting new people or other dogs.
Often, a dog’s aggressive behavior is the result of improper training earlier in the dog’s life. For instance, if a choke collar was used abusively, your dog may react violently to having a collar or leash put on their neck. The good news is that some dogs can be trained to overcome their fear, especially if you have a trusting and loving relationship with them. But owners must be ready for a full range of results.
Possible Outcomes of Treating Your Aggressive Dog
If you decide to treat an aggressive dog, you should be ready to commit to doing everything it takes to rehabilitate his behavior. Some dogs may learn and adapt quickly, or the process can take a year or more. You should also enlist the help of a professional dog trainer, in order to correctly diagnose and evaluate your dog’s behavior. Although no one wants to give up on a dog, you should have a professional and objective opinion as to your dog’s demeanor and the possibility of rehabilitation.
- Your dog experiences successful rehabilitation and has a relaxed comfort around other canines.
- Your dog exhibits a controlled acceptance to being close to other dogs when walking on the leash, permitting you to be in proximity to other dogs with confidence.
- Your rehabilitation effort is unsuccessful, and your dog’s behavior must be managed for the duration of his life.
How to Train An Aggressive Dog
When re-training a dog who has aggressive tendencies, your patience and consistency will be very important. Utilize the fact that your dog trusts you, and establish a solid foundation for leadership. Be methodical about your obedience training and commands. Your handling skills, your demeanor, and your confidence will all come into play. The process will take time, patience, skill and a disciplined program. The training protocol should include sequential steps and processes to hopefully bring a successful conclusion.
Rehabilitating your aggressive or reactive dog is not an easy job to take on, but it is worth it to establish a happy and safe relationship with your pet.
The dog experts at Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training are motivated to help you to create the best environment for your family and your pet. While not every dog can be rehabilitated, most can be successfully trained to deal with their fear – or at least reach a point where management of the fear is possible. Call us today for an evaluation and to discuss a training plan.
