STRONGDOGZ™

Dogs are instinctively aggressive animals, and this was once a vital resource when they were in the wild, since they hunted and had to defend themselves. Even though this trait has been minimized through breeding, it can still be present in any dog.  However, dog owners can take steps to recognize and prevent this potentially dangerous trait.

1. Treatment or Handling Issues – Your dog is uncomfortable with the treatment/handling they receive from you or other family members.

Every dog has different handling thresholds.  While some dogs are perfectly happy to be hugged, kissed, and have an arm draped over their shoulders (this is essentially “I’m in charge” to a dog); others are uncomfortable with too much full-body contact.  The latter will get anxious and irritated when someone continues to try and hug them.

Some dogs may be aggressive when being handled due to a negative experience they had when being groomed.  It can be quite easy to accidentally cut the blood vessel that runs inside the dog’s nail when they are being trimmed . This is extremely painful to a dog, and will leave a lasting impression whenever they see the nail clippers.  Most dogs don’t like being bathed, and a lot of dog owners feel that they should restrain their uncooperative dog to give them a bath.  This creates more panic for the dog, and reinforces their impression that bath-time equals scary-time.

It is definitely much easier to start off training your dog at a young age.  Handle your puppy frequently, and get them used to being touched and rubbed all over. Typically young dogs like being handled, and it is usually the older ones who aren’t used to much physical contact during their lives that sometimes find physical affection difficult to accept. You can practice picking up your dog’s paws and touching them with the clipper, or take them to the bathing area and start to introduce the water to them, be sure to use warm water as it is more soothing.  And supplement this with lots of praise and the occasional small treat throughout the process.

It is a bit more difficult for an older dog that may have already experienced many unpleasant handling/grooming instances.  First, you must undo the damage already caused by those bad experiences.  You will need to take things nice and slow, making sure your dog remains calm through the process.  As soon as they begin to show signs of stress, stop immediately and let them calm down.  It will work better if you introduce this to them like a game, by  giving lots of praise and treats.

If your dog continues to resist being groomed, despite all the practice you put in, it’s wise to use a professional groomer.  Your vet can clip their nails for you, but do make sure to tell him first that your dog gets aggressive when the clippers come out.  For bathing and brushing you can use any of the number of dog-grooming businesses available in your area, and again be sure to tell them about your dog’s reaction to the experience first.

2.  Protecting Their Resources – Your dog is defending something they think of as theirs from a perceived threat, you, which is known as resource guarding.

Resource guarding is quite common among dogs.  If your dog is resource guarding then they may growl at you if you come near them while they are eating, or stare at you directly and intently, if you attempt to take a toy away.  All dogs can be possessive from time to time, since it is in their natures.  Some dogs may be possessive over objects with no apparent value, such as trash, balled up paper or tissue, or old socks.  However, resource guarding is usually an issue over things with an understandable value like food and toys.

Dominance is the root cause of resource guarding. Dogs are pack animals, and so they are used to a very structured environment.  In a dog pack each dog is ranked in a hierarchy of dominance, in relation to every other animal. Each knows the rank of every other dog, which means they know exactly how to act in any given situation. Dogs view their human family as their own dog pack. Your dog has ranked each member of the family, and has their own perception of where they rank in this pack as well.

If your dog perceives that they are ranked higher than other family members, there will be a power struggle in the house. If your dog thinks they are the pack leader then they will act aggressively, because dominance and aggression are the exclusive rights of a superior-ranked animal.  A lower ranked dog would never show aggression or act dominantly to a higher-ranked animal.  The bottom line is if your dog knew that they are not the pack leader, then they would never attempt to prevent you from taking away toys or food.

The best course of action for dominant, aggressive behavior is consistent and frequent obedience work.  Training your dog to be obedient will demonstrate your authority over your dog.  All you need is two 15-minute sessions each day to make it crystal clear to your dog that you are the boss.  Be sure to reward your dog (with treats and lots of praise) for obeying a command, and isolating them (putting them in a “time-out”, either outside the house or in a room by themselves) for misbehavior.  If you are unfamiliar with dog psychology and communication it is best to learn about this, so you can understand what your dog is trying to say.  This will help you to stop any dominant behaviors, and to communicate your own authority more effectively.

STRONGDOGZ™ KENNELS