Is Your Dog Truly Aggressive Or Does It Just Look That Way?

So many Crystal Lake pet owners call to explain to us how aggressive their canine is and ask if we can help. Aggression and anti-social behavior are our specialties.   First of all we try to get details of this “aggression” and 90% of the time the canine is just pretending aggression.  They can look pretty scary but often their problem is due to fear, shyness, dominance or just plain stubbornness but they aren’t truly aggressive in the sense most people think.

This showing of aggression comes in many forms…one dog to another is pretty common and generally boils down to your pet not knowing how to play the right way with another dog.  It shows aggression with snarling, growling and showing teeth and even barking when actually they are basically feeling I’m going to get you before you get me.  It has nothing to do with being a dominant aggressive dog. Rock’s can teach Crystal Lake pets how to play using both a trainer and other dogs specifically used for playing with non-social dogs.

Many dogs are actually frustrated because of a lack of socialization. The dog has not had enough inter-action with other dogs, cats, children and/or other people… it doesn’t know what to do and this can turn into signs of aggression.  They either haven’t been taught  correct social behavior or been exposed to enough life experiences in Crystal Lake.  Just because your dog may live with another dog does not make them social.

Dog to human aggression takes a little longer and starts with foundation commands and obedience training to the point where the dog accepts its handler as their leader and therefore respects the directions it is given.  This requires a good communication system between canine and handler.

Dogs that show aggression toward children can be worked with but should never be left alone with a child.  You don’t want an injury to occur whether on purpose or by accident.  Children living in Crystal Lake or any city can be loud, wild, step on a dog’s tail or injure them by accident and the dog may react with tooth or nail.  There are also steps that can be taken to get your pet to except cats although often it’s the cat that acts like a windup toy and the dog will pounce.  These occasions can be evaluated by a trained professional. 

Call Frank Allison and he can analyze where your pet’s aggression is coming from and what needs to be done in a group class or a private dog training session at your Crystal Lake home.