Dog to Dog Aggression Training
Dog to dog aggression training is a necessity and aggressive behavior is a serious problem if you are in the unfortunate position of owning and loving a dog that is exhibiting this behavior. It is important to understand you have options but you must not ignore this behavior because it will not go away. In fact, if ignored it will become worse.
Small dogs may not seem as threatening and therefore are often times overlooked when they behave aggressively. However, aggression in any form is not acceptable and needs to be nipped in the bud before something more serious happens.
The first step to treating this aggression is to understand why your dog is behaving this way. Dogs become frustrated very much the way humans become frustrated. If you ever had a long day at work or with the kids and ended up very stressed, it always helps to take a walk or perform some sort of exercise to release that frustration. Dogs are very similar. If you are not giving your animal the proper exercise, then they will become frustrated. Exercise releases that “pent up” energy so the dog is calmer and its mind is clearer and healthier.
Another reason for the aggression is due to the leadership their owner exhibits. An owner needs to be calm and assertive when displaying their leadership to the dog. Setting boundaries, limitations and rules is important so that you can display the qualities of a “pack leader”. Dogs look to their pack leader for everything so you need to be sure your dog sees you as the one who is in control.
Setting boundaries for your dog is crucial in controlling your dog’s behavior. They need limitations. Without them, then they will never see you as their leader and will do things their way, much like a child needs parenting. Behavioral training is an important first step towards curbing dog to dog aggression.
How to use Clicker Training to control animal behavior
Clicker training is an approach which teaches behaviors to animals by focusing on operant conditioning. Operant conditioning teaches the animal to learn after it performs specific behaviors. The animal learns from behavioral consequences. A clicker is not meant as a stand-alone training device. You will also need treats for rewards as the sound of the clicker is not enough for the dog to perform a certain behavior.
A good example of this is the use of neutral words to command a certain behavior. If your dog is aggressive towards other dogs outside of the home using and obedience word such as “look” is an excellent way to divert his attention away from the oncoming dog(s). This type of operant training should take place somewhere away from other dogs such as your home.
Using this neutral verbal expression, you could train your dog to look at you using the clicker and when the dog performs the behavior, reward him/her with a treat or toy (treats are more effective and preferable). This will give the dog focused attention so that when another dog is approaching, using the word “look” will divert his attention. You can practice this behavior standing on one side, then moving to another and have the dog “look” at you every time you use the word “look”.
Your dog is very sensitive to your energy. If you are walking your dog and they feel your tension when another dog approaches, this will be conveyed to the dog. So not only will you need to modify your dog’s behavior with obedience training, but you need to be aware of your own behavior as well.
Dog to dog aggression is never a good thing. It can be frustrating for an owner and scary as well. You can start to modify this aggression by both correcting your own behavior towards your animal as well as starting off with some obedience and dog to dog aggression training. It will not happen overnight. Sometimes it may be necessary to get formal training but starting with the basics is always a good way to go and see if your training is able to curb if not eliminate the aggression entirely.
Is aggressive dog behavior a problem? Make sure to check information on Dog to Dog Aggression Training to control your dog’s unwanted behavior with great Dog Training Tips and methods.
