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

So many Monterey people call to explain to us how aggressive their dog 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 unknowingly faking aggression.  They can look pretty fearsome 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…dog to dog is pretty common and generally 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 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 Monterey dogs 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 turn into signs of aggression.  They either haven’t learned  proper social behavior or been exposed to enough life experiences in Monterey.  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 orders it is given.  This requires a good communication system between canine 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 Monterey or any city can be loud, wild, step on a dog’s foot or hurt 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 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 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 Monterey home.