18 Sure Fire Ways to Manage Dog Aggression

Aggression is one of the most common problems that dog behaviourists are asked to deal with.

Dogs behave aggressively for a variety of reasons, and while some will direct their aggression only towards other animals, others will behave aggressively towards humans.

If a dog considers itself to be the dominant animal in the ‘pack’, it may try to exert its power by threatening family members, especially vulnerable ones, such as children.

Even small dogs like West Highland terriers will aim a nip at an adult owner if they have not been trained to accept their status.

Animals who regard themselves as top dog may also damage their owner’s possessions. A dominant dog will often stare directly at strangers, try to go through doors first and expect an immediate response to their demands for attention.

Do not confuse the behaviour of a dominant dog with that of a frightened one – although both animals will snarl, and possibly bite, the frightened dog will probably cower behind its owner and will be apprehensive when encountering new faces and situations.

Dominant aggression is treated by training the dog to accept its position as a subordinate member of the ‘pack’.
It is important to minimise the risk that your dog poses to others, so fit a muzzle or adjustable head halter before taking it for walks; this will also encourage obedience.
Groom your dog at least once a day because this reinforces human dominance.
Fit a houseline so that you can control its movements more easily.
Do not allow it to jump on to furniture and ignore all of its requests for attention.
Do not respond until it stops making demands, and then command it to sit before stroking it.
Ensure that you eat before the dog does because in wild wolf packs the leader always eats first: prepare the dog’s food, but eat your meal first, only feeding the dog when you have finished.
When exercising your dog, also initiate some retrieving exercises, which will further emphasise who is in control.
Do not give it any treats while you are carrying out this training.
Dogs behave aggressively towards other dogs either to defend their own territory or because they have been poorly socialised and are unused to the company of other animals.
Male dogs are more likely to exhibit this type of behaviour than females, and neutering reduces the problem in young dogs (around two years of age). Actual fighting is preceded by the display of aggressive body language: the dog will stare intently at its adversary and will assume a forward stance, with its ears and tail raised. It may also snarl and bare its teeth (and if your dog becomes involved in a fight with another dog, be wary of intervening in case you are bitten).
Prevention is possible, although you must first learn to recognise the signs of brewing aggression.
If you notice your dog making threatening eye contact with another animal, for example, divert its attention, if necessary physically turning its head away.
Think ahead and take a toy with you, and if its aggression seems to be escalating, command it to sit and use the toy to reward good behaviour, thus diverting its attention.
When a dog pulls on a lead, its feelings of aggression increase, so do not exacerbate the situation by forcibly pulling it back.
Anticipate the problem by muzzling your dog if necessary.
In order to decrease the likelihood of a dog fight, reinforce your dog’s recall training, first at home and then in an open area within sight of another dog.
Reward your dog when it ignores the other animal, or at least when it does not demonstrate hostile behaviour.