Important Tips On How To Control Dog Aggression

How To Train The Dog

* There are 2 situations in which aggression between dogs occur.

* 1-When one dog is unfamiliar with another dog.

* 2-Aggression between familiar dogs that live in the same household.

* Dogs may encounter other dogs while their owners are walking them. A dog that is not well-socialized might have dominant body language and stare other dogs straight in the eyes, which is conceived to be a direct challenge. Dog's that are otherwise friendly when not on a leash will more likely bark and lunge at another dog.

* To avoid these confrontations owners should stay alert and keep their dog on a short leash. They should have voice control at all times and not let their dog sniff or come in contact with another dog. To prevent aggression when a dog is on a leash is to train the dog early on he can't visit with every canine he meets. Owners should also teach their dog to sit and wait for permission before approaching another dog. They should also train their dog not to pull on the leash. Behavior and basic obedience training along with voice control can help in preventing aggression and fights.

* Along with keeping their dogs on a leash and with proper training owners can also avoid fights by keeping their dogs from roaming free, neutering them before one year of age, and start socializing their dogs when they are in the puppy stage between 5 and 10 weeks of age.

* There are 4 behavioral clues to look for if a fight is threatening to start:

* 1-A stern, deliberate, and targeted stare.

* 2-Body language; the tail held stiffly up or down; lips pulled tight against the teeth.

* 3-Rigid body movement.

* 4-A dominating posture stance.

* When dogs first meet they tend to establish a social hierarchy and determine whose top dog. They become involved in loud barking and growling. Sometimes the aggression escalates and a fight ensues where one dog latches on to another dog.

* If you intervene don't put your hands or get between them to avoid getting bitten yourself. If another person is there you can take your dog by the tail or hind legs and the other person takes the other dog and both pull back until one of the dogs loosens its grip. You should then move away quickly. This can be risky since dogs will sometimes bite whoever is hanging on to them.

* Fights and aggression that occur between dogs in the same household will be about those resources that are considered most important to dogs. These include territory, possession, food, sleeping-quarters, and favored people.

* Fights often come about over their sleeping territory near their owners, treats, food, owner attention (or greeting the owner upon return).

* Dogs of the same sex occur most often than those of the opposite sex and seems to be most intense between female dogs. Fights can also start between familiar dogs where one is obviously dominant.

* There are some familiar characteristics when it comes to fighting between dogs in the same household.

* A-Adult dogs over 3 years old.

* B-Dogs fight only when the owner is present.

* C-Dogs are of the same sex.

* D-A clash often between dogs is which one will be the dominant dog in the family pack.

* An owner might try punishment but typically this only promotes more aggression and creates new problems. Any breed of dogs can get into fights, and it depends more on the dogs training, temperament, and socialization.

*Some fights can start so quickly the owner is caught off guard, but many times you can spot behaviors that signal problems ahead. Keeping a watch out for these signs can keep a fight from starting.

*Of course the best approach is prevention and giving your dog proper training and providing good leadership.

Article source : Lamar Deane

6 Significant Dog Instincts And Traits

How To Train The Dog

Domestication:

Canines were probably the first species to be domesticated by humans. It's a generally accepted theory that the worlds first dogs were tamed wolves. Dogs share biological similarities with wolves. They look much alike. Anatomically, they have almost identical teeth, adapted for seizing and tearing. Their actions are similar and they have extremely sensitive senses of smell and hearing. Domesticated canines are loyal to and dependent upon their masters. They have taken a subservient place in human society. The only reward many dogs seek is a kind word and a pat on the head. Still, the study of dogs and wolves teaches us many traits that haven't changed much since before they were domesticated.

1. Instinct:

Instinct is an inborn tendency to behave in a way that is characteristic of a breed.

2. Body Language:

Postural display is yet another characteristic of canines.

* When meeting a strange dog or person, non socialized dogs will raise their hackles (hair on their backs and necks). This is more noticeable in short haired dogs, which makes them look larger than they normally are. It is meant to intimidate other dogs and people who pose a threat. Oftentimes hackle raising is combined with pulling back their lips to show their teeth.

* A dogs ears and tail positions are among other postural displays that will tell what a dog is thinking. For instance, most dogs will tuck their tails between their legs and their ears will fall when submitting to a greater power.

* Rolling over on their backs is another action of submission a dog will portray.

* Kneeling, or putting their front legs on the ground and lowering their front quarters is an indication they want to play. Combining this with a wagging tail displays friendliness.

* A superior more dominating dog will usually assume another significant body posture toward another dog. Standing tall on stiff legs, the superior dog will strut around the powerless one, often stressing this posture with frequent growls and snarls.

* Another instinctive habit seen in many dogs, is turning in circles before lying down. Some experts say this circling goes back to the days when dogs turned around and around to pack down the grass to make a soft bed. Others think the habit is more likely connected to their checking the ground for the scent of its enemies, since the dog has its nose to the ground during the turning around.

* Digging is another inborn trait in that dogs will occasionally dig dens under porches or yards. Terriers were known to pursue their quarry underground by digging, and this too is an inherited behavior.

* Chasing cars and/or other animals is not a bad habit, but just another instinct in many dog breeds.

* Attacking small animals is an inborn hunting trait derived from the time these small rodents were the dogs main food source. These inherited instincts are so natural that they cannot be stopped or changed completely, no matter how much effort is used.

3. Sense of Smell:

Sniffing or smelling the wind is another characteristic long established by wolves and other wild canines. This serves as a dual purpose; to detect the scent of prey and to distinguish predators in the area. Some breeds have a more keen sense of smell than other breeds. Domestic canines have 40 times more olfactory (sense of smell) cells than humans have.

4. Sense of Hearing:

With their erect ears dogs can hear the faintest sound and are excellent in early warnings of danger. Able to differentiate the distinct sounds of different cars in the distance, pet dogs often announce the arrival of their owner even before they can be seen.

5. Sight:

Dogs have highly developed visual capability. Their fields of vision is different and in some ways inferior to that of humans, but for their purposes, it is quite adequate.

6. Memory:

Dogs have an excellent memory which gives them the capability to learn quickly. In addition to a good memory and learning ability, a dog has the capacity to think and reasoning capabilities with which to solve problems. Dogs are a cunning and intelligent animal with a complex mind.

Although dogs' instinctive actions and personalities are influenced by heredity, like other intelligent mammals, they are the products of genetics, experience, and training.

Article source : Lamar Deane