Typically, dogs aren’t born being aggressive. Aggression develops over time as a result of the dog’s environment and several other factors. If your dog is aggressive, the right training can help correct that behavior. It’s important to remember that every dog is different and there’s no one method of training or timeline that works for every dog. Utilize these tips to navigate the training process with your pup and start managing their aggression before someone gets hurt!
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Focus on Positive Behavior Correction
Instead of getting angry when your dog is aggressive, remain calm and assertive. An angry outburst from you teaches your dog that being aggressive is acceptable. By modeling positive behavior while you work to correct their negative behavior, you’re leading by example.
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Find the Right Tools
If your dog is showing signs of aggression, the safety of other people and animals needs to be your top priority. Some training tools are designed specifically to manage aggressive dogs in a firm, yet effective way. Prong collars and muzzles are some of the most common training tools for a dog struggling with aggression.
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Stay Patient
The training process is going to be long and tedious. Remain patient and try to see the light at the end of the tunnel! Patience includes keeping your training sessions short and frequent. Dogs have short attention spans, so expecting to do too much training at one time is setting your dog up to fail.
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Avoid Punishment
Aggression is often a response to fear. If your dog has reason to fear you, his aggression will never get better. Avoid punishing your dog for their negative behavior and focus on praising the positives instead. You can correct a negative behavior without actually punishing the dog. This will keep their aggression at a safe level, without instilling more fear in them. Your dog will quickly learn that they don’t need to fear you, and training will become much easier once you’ve established that trust!
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Hire a Professional
If you don’t have the time to dedicate to training your aggressive dog yourself, that’s okay! Professional dog trainers are a great resource for people who don’t have the time to rain their dog or just feel overwhelmed by the training process. Find a dog trainer that has experience with aggressive dogs. Avoid group obedience classes until your dog’s aggression is under control.
Contact Canine College
If you’d like to speak to a reputable and experienced dog trainer, contact Canine College today! From simple training tips to in-depth training courses, our team can help manage even the most out-of-control dogs. Working with a professional will give you the confidence to continue the training process on your own and actually be successful with it too! View our list of dog training options here and give us a call at 781-767-3908 to get started.
