Dog biting and aggression
Owning an aggressive dog or a dog that bites can quickly take the joy out of being a pet owner. Aggression is the most serious behaviour problem you may be challenged with as a dog-owner. If the behaviour is not addressed early, your dog may become too dangerous and may have to be euthanized to prevent him from seriously harming other animals or people. It is impossible to guarantee that your dog will never bite anyone but there are several things you can do to prevent it. Also, be aware that the most common type of aggression is fear-based.
Owners may excuse early signs of aggression as normal behaviour for young untrained dogs. For example, growling and snarling to protect their food, toys or other possessions, lunging and/or barking aggressively towards other dogs or people. Unfortunately, if you do not address these behaviours early on, your dog may become too aggressive to handle. Biting and mouthing are also behaviours that are common and natural, especially among puppies while they are teething and playing. It is important to begin training your dog when you first bring him or her home to teach the dog when biting is and isn’t appropriate.
If you are concerned about your dog’s aggressive behaviour, the first thing you should do is consult with your veterinarian to make sure there are no medical causes for the aggression. If you have tried to train your dog to be less aggressive but have not made significant progress, see an animal behaviour specialist or trainer. Also make sure any training methods you use will help and not worsen your dog’s aggression. For example, using excessive force to punish aggressive behaviour can make the situation worse. It is extremely important that you ensure the safety of other animals and people your dog may come in contact with. Avoid the situations and places that cause your dog to be aggressive.
Here are some tips to help you prevent dog bites and ending up with an aggressive dog:
Socializing
Without proper socialization, dogs may become fearful and aggressive; therefore it is extremely important that puppies be socialized gradually as soon as possible, to help them become used to other dogs, cats and other animals as well as humans, including adults, children, men, women, and individuals of various ethnic backgrounds. This socialization must continue frequently until the puppy is a year old. Puppies bite each other in play and it is through playing with other puppies that they learn to control their biting and mouthing. The response of other puppies and dogs will teach them to control their biting and mouthing.
Playing with other puppies also helps them release the energy they have, so they will be less likely to bite their owners or other people. Otherwise they can be overly playful with humans and may bite in their excitement.
Training
Training is another essential aspect to responsibly caring for your dog and preventing it from biting and becoming aggressive. The best way to train your dog is to take it to training classes with a professional dog trainer. Here, you can learn proper training techniques and also provide your dog with the opportunity to socialize with others. When selecting a trainer make sure they use humane training methods.
When training your dog, it is important to be gentle but firm. Praise and give rewards for good behaviour and deny treats for bad behaviour. Make sure you are consistent in your training.
Spay/Neuter
All dogs should be spayed/neutered to prevent overpopulation but this is not the only incentive for neutering. Statistics show that neutered male dogs in particular are less aggressive, less territorial, and less likely to bite. Spaying or neutering affects the testosterone hormone in your dog and may cause it to be less aggressive and territorial, especially if done early enough.
Dogs and Children
Never leave your dog alone with young children. Children may provoke and tease dogs, and their games can trigger a dog’s prey drive. As a result, they may end up being bitten by the dog. It is also important that your dog learns to respect you and other members of your family. Dogs will form a social hierarchy and may challenge the authority of others, particularly more submissive and timid members of a household. If they do not learn that they are at the bottom of this hierarchy in the home, they may become aggressive, dominating dogs, more prone to biting and other aggressive behaviour. Your dog may also try to assert its dominance by being rough with a child. To avoid this potential aggression, make sure children are supervised when they are in the same vicinity as a dog – even the trusted family pet.
