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

So many Big Bend pet owners call to explain to us how aggressive their pet 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 9 times out of 10 the canine is just pretending aggression.  They can look pretty scary but often their problem is due to fear, shyness, dominance or just plain orneriness 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 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 Big Bend canine how to play using both a trainer and other dogs specifically used for playing with non-social dogs.

Many dogs are actually upset 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 develop into signs of aggression.  They either haven’t been taught  correct social behavior or been exposed to enough life experiences in Big Bend.  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 the alpha and therefore respects the commands it is given.  This requires a good communication system between dog and owner.

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 Big Bend or any city can be loud, wild, step on a dog’s foot or hurt 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 often it’s the cat that acts like a windup toy and the dog will pounce.  These instances can be evaluated by a canine professional. 

Contact Frank Allison and he can evaluate 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 Big Bend home.