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

So many Burlington pet owners call to explain to us how nasty their dog is and ask if we can help. Dogs that bite and anti-social behavior are our specialties.   First of all we try to get details of this “aggression” and 9 times out of 10 the canine is just pretending aggression.  They can look pretty nasty but often their problem is due to fear, shyness, dominance or just plain stubbornness but they aren’t really aggressive in the sense most people think.

This showing of aggression comes in many forms…one dog to another is pretty common and usually boils down to your pet not understanding how to play the right way with another dog.  It displays aggression with snarling, growling and showing teeth and even barking when in truth they are basically feeling I’m going to get you before you get me.  It has nothing to do with being a dominant aggressive pet. Rock’s can teach Burlington canine 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  proper social behavior or been exposed to enough life experiences in Burlington.  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 commands 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 a bite to occur whether on purpose or by accident.  Children living in Burlington or any city can be loud, wild, step on a dog’s tail or injure them unintentionally and the dog may respond with tooth or nail.  There are also steps that can be taken to get your pet to put up with cats although sometimes it’s the cat that acts like a windup toy and the dog will pounce.  These instances can be evaluated by a canine professional. 

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