Aggressive Dog Training

Aggressive dog training is required when you are dealing with an aggressive dog.

The temper of a dog that is known to attack people cannot be underestimated. In order to understand and better train an aggressive dog it is essential that we first know why a dog turns aggressive.

As animals, dogs will react to certain situations in ways peculiar to the dog itself, its breed and its upbringing.

Most of the time dogs are not being aggressive out of spite for any person in particular, but because they are trying to protect themselves. Dogs show aggression by growling, snarling, baring their teeth and biting. Here are some of the main types of dog aggression:

Fear Aggression.

When a dog feels threatened it will do anything to defend itself. He will bite and attack anything that poses a threat to it. You can tell when a dog has fear aggression when you raise an object to a dog and it reacts in a negative way. Fear Aggression is a rare seldom occurrence in well adjusted domesticated dogs, and dogs that have undergone aggressive dog training.

Aggression caused by pain.

Animals that are in pain are often times irrationally aggressive. If you cause pain to a dog, even if you're just trying to help, it can sometimes bite. When you're trying to help an unfamiliar dog always remember to put a muzzle over its snout before doing anything.

Possessive Aggression.

Possessive Aggression occurs when a dog feels like it has to protect something. The dog could be protective of his territory, food, master or anything that he deems threatened by unwanted trespassers. Often times a dog will growl at his master when he/she approaches while it is eating or chewing on a bone. A female dog will also be extra aggressive around her new born puppies.

Sometimes a dog becomes aggressive to humans because it has had a bad master. When a dog has been abused its usually develops the tendency of not trusting people, especially strangers. Dogs such as these will need aggressive dog training in order to trust people again. These dogs take a longer time to train.

When dealing with these kinds of dogs it is best left to professional trainer. People who own aggressive dogs are usually not the victim of the aggression. It is usually other people who come in contact with the dog. Do not worry if you're dog is an aggressive one. Know that all dogs can be trained to be obedient no matter how old or how aggressive they are. CLICK HERE for more useful tips on responsible aggressive dog training.

Some people look down on mixed breed dogs. Because they aren't pure bred, they are generally deemed worthless by dog purists.

What they don't know is that a Mixed Breed dog can be one of the sweetest dogs in the world. Mixed breed dogs have even made it big.

The difference between a mixed breed dog and a crossbreed dog is that the former has unknown ancestry while the latter intentionally combines two breeds of dogs to create a new one. The Cocker-Poo and Peke-A-Poo are some examples of cross breed dogs that are well loved today.

Mixed breed dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Other dogs are mixed in that you can hardly recognize what ancestry they came from. Because of that, they usually have different behaviors and temperament. But they are not different from other dogs. They require the same aggressive dog training as all dogs and would even perform better than some pure bred dogs.

Although Mother Nature did not proclaim that pure bred dogs were the baseline for all dogs in the world, we seem to deem it as such. Pure bred dogs are actually the outcome of selected breeding between dogs to achieve certain looks and qualities that were taken from their mothers and fathers. Pure bred dogs are the handy work of man while mixed breed dogs let Mother Nature run its course.

The beauty of mixed breed dogs is that they are said to be generally healthier than pure bred ones. Some purebreds are the result of inbreeding and are sometimes even forced to mate with its family members just to keep the line pure. The chances that a mixed bred dog will get the same negative recessive gene of its ancestors are relatively smaller than that of a purebred one.

If you're going to get a dog you might want to consider getting a mixed breed dog. They are just as charming and have the same vigor as a purebred. Getting a mixed breed dog is also relatively cheaper than getting a pure one. It would be a great idea to get your mixed breed dog from a pound. Some pounds even have programs where the dogs they put up for adoption have already received aggressive dog training. You won't only be saving a life when you adopt a dog, you'll be gaining a new best friend.

Effective aggressive dog training is not complete without the right tools. Ask any dog trainer and he will tell you the same thing. Here are some of the basic tools you'll need for effective dog training and some tips on how to use them.

Collar and leash - the most basic and the easiest tools to use in aggressive dog training or any other training for your pooches are the collar and leash. Collars come in various types and material from leather to metal (choke chains), but the most important rule to remember when choosing the right collar is to look for the right fit: not too tight but not too loose. As for the leash, a shorter leash allows you to have a better control over your dogs.

NOTE: Collars like the choke chain and shock collars are only effective and humane when used by a professional dog trainer. Using them without supervision and knowledge might injure your dog. Always consult a professional or a vet before using these kinds of device on your dog.

Doggie Treats - Treats encourage your dogs to follow commands, making it one of the most important tools for aggressive dog training. It can be a piece of meat, liver, chews, biscuits, bites or any morsel which is not part of your dog's diet.

Muzzles - This tool covers the dog's mouth to prevent it from barking, biting and chewing incessantly; a perfect tool for dogs who have a habit of chewing and biting anything they see or barking at anything that comes their way.

Dog Crates - Although hardly necessary, a good dog crate is an excellent tool in training an aggressive dog. One of its uses is for "time-outs". You can lock your dog in for 30 seconds or until your dog is calm. Once he's calm, you can let him out and give him a treat. Choose a dog crate that is right for his size. Rottweilers and Dobermans need a large, heavy duty crates

Training books - Have a professional dog trainer recommend a good book which gives you insights and tips in curbing your dog's aggression. The right guide book will not only teach you ways to reduce your dog's hostility but also offer you insights to let you understand your dog's behavior.

A healthy, stress-free environment - Remember that a dog's aggression is also triggered by his environment. If you allow the members of your household to hit or yell at the dog or if you cannot keep your dog's dwellings clean and well-maintained, molding them to be the dogs you want to be with your children and the rest of your family would be next to impossible. Treat him like he's part of your family and he'll reward your kindness with good behavior. Give him toys and allow him to mingle with other people and dogs to make him friendlier.

The problem of dog aggression could be prevented if we, as responsible dog owners, take the time to understand, how and why dog aggression occurs.

It must be remembered that dogs are not only born aggressive, but are born to be aggressive. In the undomesticated world of the dog, aggressive behavior was needed for survival.

Domestication of the canine animal over the centuries, and selective breeding has minimized this trait to a great extent, but the instinct to be aggressive is still there.

Undomesticated, dogs are essentially social animals, and live in packs, with an established hierarchy. As dogs reach adulthood they strive to assert themselves, within the pack, to determine their social ranking.

It is no different in domesticated dogs as far as the instinct to assert itself within the pack, which is the family that owns it, is concerned. It becomes very important to the household puppy to know its ranking within the family that owns it, and even within the neighborhood it lives in.

Your dog has that natural instinct and desire to protect his or her pack, your family, and his or her territory. If your dog sees neighborhood dogs as a threat to his territory, or his social standing, it will become aggressive.

The desire to protect its family will also cause your dog to act in an aggressive manner. Taking the time to help your puppy become familiar with different situations will help it understand when aggressive behavior is inappropriate.