Aggression is a very common behavioral problem in pet dogs which many dog guardians struggle with. An aggressive dog can be dangerous and a liability in the event she hurts a person or another animal. The good news is that aggressive behavior can be successfully modified using a combination of good management and humane behavior modification techniques. Let’s explore why dogs show aggression and how to train an aggressive dog safely and effectively.
Why Do Dogs Show Aggression?
Aggression is a normal behavior for dogs and part of their species-specific behavioral repertoire. However, it can become problematic when shown in ways that put the safely and wellbeing of people or other animals at risk. Common reasons that dogs show aggression include:
- Fear or anxiety: Aggression can be a symptom of underlying fear or anxiety triggered by a person, another animal, or a situation. In this case, aggression is used to increase the distance between the aggressing dog and a perceived threat.
- Pain or illness: When a dog is unwell or in pain, they often have a reduced tolerance to things that wouldn’t otherwise bother them. This can result in an increased likelihood of aggression.
- Territorial instincts: Despite being domesticated, dogs retain some instincts in common with their wild living relatives including the instinct to protect their territory (home). This can manifest in aggressive behavior (e.g. barking, growling and lunging) toward passers-by, other animals, or visitors to the home.
- Resource guarding: Some dogs use aggression to gain or maintain access to high-value resources. This behavior often develops when a dog had to compete for access to resources (such as food) as a puppy or constantly had her resources taken away from her.
- Social dynamics: Aggression can occur during interactions with other animals, particularly following new introductions, due to poor socialization or when relationship parameters are first being established.
How To Train an Aggressive Dog
Understanding the root cause of the aggression is essential to allow you to train an aggressive dog safely and effectively. Before you begin to train your aggressive dog, take the following steps:
- Pinpoint the triggers that cause your dog to show aggression. Refer to the list above for assistance.
- Identify the severity of the aggression in terms of its frequency and intensity. Is it mild, moderate, or severe? Does it happen frequently and has it persisted for a long time? Has the dog caused a serious injury to a person or another dog? If so, the aggression might be on the moderate to severe end of the scale.
- Make an appointment with your veterinarian to identify and address or rule out a health or medical issue that could be causing or contributing to the aggression.
- Use safety tools such as a muzzle, leash, crate, and baby gates to prevent harm to others and avoid, as much as possible, situations that trigger aggressive behavior.
- Work with a professional trainer or behaviorist who specializes in aggression to ensure the right behavior modification practices are utilized.
When it comes to training an aggressive dog to reduce aggressive behavior the most common and effect strategies include:
- Desensitization and Counterconditioning: This involves gradually exposing the dog to the trigger at a level that is well tolerated by the dog and does not elicit an aggressive response. At the same time, counterconditioning is implemented and involves pairing the trigger with positive experiences (high value food works best) to change the dog’s emotional response from a negative to a positive association.
- Avoid using punishment: Using positive punishment can increase fear and escalate aggression (Arhant et al., 2010). Research shows that aversive training techniques jeopardize the mental and physical health of dogs (Ziv, 2017). Instead, positive reinforcement should be used.
- Teaching an alternative behavior: Once the dog starts to anticipate the treats during this training you can ask for a behavior, such as sit or look, and reinforce that with the treats in the presence of the trigger.
- Consistency, repetition, and patience: Training an aggressive dog takes time and progress is typically not linear. This means there will be good days and some bad days. The key is to be consistent and patient and work at your dog’s pace.
- Regular monitoring and adjustment if needed: It’s important to monitor progress and keep in touch with your trainer or behaviorist so they can adjust the training plan if needed. Celebrate any improvements you make with your dog.
How To Manage and Handle an Aggressive Dog
Good management and handling of an aggressive dog will help to prevent bite injuries to people and other animals. The aim is to avoid or at least limit things that trigger the aggression and to handle the dog in a way that keeps you, other people, and other animals safe. This could include strategies such as always walking the dog on lead when outside the home, utilizing a muzzle, and walking the dog in areas where they are less likely to encounter triggers for aggression. For dogs who show aggression towards visitors to the home, it’s important to physically separate the dog from visitors at all times.
When it comes to handling, avoid attempting to physically move your dog, such as pulling them by the collar, as this will likely lead to an aggressive response. Instead, use positive reinforcement such as high value treats or their meal to encourage them to follow you if you need to move them from A to B.
Training an aggressive dog involves time, consistency, repetition, good management and a kind, positive reinforcement-based training approach. Working with a professional is highly recommended when it comes to training aggressive dogs due to the risk they pose to others.
How To Choose the Right Trainer or Behaviorist
Choosing the right trainer or behaviorist is crucial to getting the help you need to understand and learn how to train your aggressive dog safely and effectively. Due to a lack of regulation within the industry, anyone can refer to themselves as a dog trainer or behaviorist, even if they lack relevant qualifications. Unfortunately, this often results in unsuspecting owners engaging unqualified trainers or behaviorists who use outdated or harmful training techniques, such as shock collars, prong collars, and other punitive methods, which can make the aggression worse.
This means it’s up to dog guardians to do their due diligence and research local trainers and behaviorists to find one who is reputable, knowledgeable, and experienced teaching people how to train an aggressive dog.
Look for a dog trainer with formal dog training qualifications which prioritize positive reinforcement and humane techniques. There are several organizations in the United States that offer dog training courses utilizing the latest scientific understanding of dog behavior, learning, and welfare. These include the Karen Pryor Academy, the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).
Animal Behaviorists have a master’s or Ph.D. level university qualification in animal behavior whereas veterinary behaviorists are veterinarians with further qualifications in animal behavior.
What is their training philosophy?
Look for trainers who have a modern training philosophy that prioritizes the use of humane and welfare friendly positive reinforcement techniques while avoiding harsh punishment.
Professional Memberships and Certifications
Reputable dog trainers and behaviorists are usually members of professional organizations and must adhere to the code of ethics, vision and mission set out by the organization.
There are also professional certification programs for animal and veterinary behaviorists such as the Animal Behavior Society’s Board Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Certification. These programs require a high level of academic education, knowledge of behavior, and extensive practical experience.
If you’re struggling with aggressive behavior in your dog, please reach out to a suitable professional. The right training for aggressive dogs can make the world of difference to them and the people that love them.
References
Arhant, C., Bubna-Littitz, H., Bartels, A., Futschik, A., & Troxler, J. (2010). Behaviour of smaller and larger dogs: Effects of training methods, inconsistency of owner behaviour and level of engagement in activities with the dog. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 123(3-4), 131-142.
Ziv, G. (2017). The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs—A review. Journal of veterinary behavior, 19, 50-60.
PHOTO: Caption: In most cases, the right training can make a big difference for dogs exhibiting aggressive behaviors. Credit: sae1010 | Getty Images
