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

So many Darien people call to explain to us how nasty their pet 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 90% of the time the canine is just displaying aggression.  They can look pretty fearsome but often their problem is due to fear, shyness, dominance or just plain orneriness but they aren’t truly aggressive in the sense most people think.

This showing of aggression comes in many forms…dog to dog is pretty common and generally boils down to your dog not knowing 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 dog. Rock’s can teach Darien 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 learned  proper social behavior or been exposed to enough life experiences in Darien.  Just because your dog may live with another dog does not make them social.

Dog to human aggression takes a little longer and begins 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 dog and handler.

Dogs that show aggression toward children can be trained 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 Darien or any city can be loud, wild, step on a dog’s foot 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 occasions can be evaluated by a canine professional. 

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