Change Your Dog's Aggressive Behavior

By Denise Mahaffey

A child pets a dog and gets a snappy reaction. A trip to the dog park turns into a dog fight involving your pup. A glimpse at another canine brings on a deep growl. It's behavior in need of modification. Dog trainer Rick Bell says there are several steps a dog owner can take to address the aggression problem.

Bell says," Your dog will always reflect the mood of his pack. A household that is filled with anxiety, rancor and consistent arguing can't help but have a negative effect on the canine member of the family. In such a home the pooch can often express the negative energy with aggressive behavior. So, bite your tongue and count to 10 while taking deep breaths. It will not only calm you down, it will also have a positive influence on your dog."

Bell also suggests that dog owners not keep their pets inside the confines of a gated yard or behind the closed doors of a house. "Socialization is an effective tool in eliminating aggressive behavior. As often as possible get your dog out of the house, walk it on a leash in the neighborhood, play in the park and seek out friendly people and dogs. This will get him familiar with different sights and sounds of the world, making it less likely that these things will frighten him into an aggressive reaction.

A dog that growls, snaps and bites may not be naturally aggressive. According to Bell, the dog may be hiding a serious medical problem. "Dogs will growl, snap or bite when touched in a painful spot." Bell adds, "If your dog is exhibiting this type of behavior, it's wise to have your pet thoroughly checked out by a veterinarian."

If a veterinarian determines there is no medical reason for the aggression, Bell suggests a session with a qualified trainer to evaluate the cause of your dog's bad behavior and come up with a plan to end it. Bell says, "Trying to rehabilitate your pooch without experienced guidance is a recipe for dog-gone disaster."

Denise Mahaffey is the Founder of Malama Marketing and is also the proud owner of the laziest chocolate lab in the world, Koa.