Regardless of age, breed and size, the dog must be socialized. A well-mannered pet should not demonstrate hostility towards people and pets without reason - its aggressive reaction can cause harm to both the person against whom it is directed and him.
The dog attacks other dogs, what should I do?
How to teach a puppy to react normally to dogs?
It is necessary to socialize an animal and stop its inappropriate behavior literally from birth. Immediately after quarantine, it is worth gradually teaching the puppy to adequately react to external stimuli.
In order to teach your puppy to calmly and adequately perceive other dogs and strangers from the first year of life, you should use the following instructions:
Step 1. Teaching forbidden commands. First, you need to ensure that the puppy unquestioningly carries out the primary forbidden commands. The pet must be rewarded for following the command and punished for disobedience. The sooner the owner teaches the dog to carry out primitive commands, the fewer problems can be avoided in the future.
How to train a dog
Step 2. First walk. The first walks may be short. You should walk with your puppy in quiet and peaceful areas, away from public places (always on a leash). After a certain period, you can increase the duration of the walk, and as soon as the puppy begins to get used to it, begin acquaintance and socialization.
The puppy's first walks should be in quiet and peaceful areas.
Step 3. Meet your relatives. While the puppy is very small, you should not constantly concentrate his attention on other individuals. It is better to accustom him to communication gradually, showing his relatives from afar in the first stages. Watching other dogs from the window will also be a good training - the puppy will feel safe, and at the same time he will get used to normal reactions to his relatives.
Step 4. Socialization. The ideal way to start socializing a puppy would be to communicate with peers or calm, friendly dogs. The dog’s communication with other individuals must take place under the vigilant control of the owner. It is necessary to observe the animal’s behavioral reactions, the situation and its surroundings.
The dog must be introduced to its relatives
Step 5. Behavior correction. In order to prevent the dog from reacting to other animals in the future, you need to walk with your pet in the private sector, while weaning it from barking at animals that are in the yards. It is advisable to stop such dog behavior with a stern tone and forbidden commands. The dog should always react first to its owner, and not to external influences.
The most successful reaction of the owner will be to prohibit and distract the puppy from such antics. For example, you can force him to carry out various disciplinary commands, thereby reducing the level of arousal.
So, you need to gradually teach your puppy to react calmly to other animals, confidently demonstrating to him that there is no point in being afraid or showing aggression.
Video - Socialization of a dog
How to make dogs friends
It's a familiar situation - two people try to introduce their pets, but it ends in a dog fight and general chaos. This can happen when different people start living together, start dating, or even when a new pet is added to the pack. This does not always have to happen, unless one or more dogs are in the "red" zone (requiring the help of a professional trainer), you can take steps to prevent or resolve the problem.
How to introduce dogs correctly
One big mistake people make when trying to introduce dogs from different packs or bringing a new member into the pack is they simply bring both animals into one of the dogs' territory and hope they get along. Maybe they'll get along, maybe they won't. By bringing a new dog into another's territory, you risk causing an aggressive or defensive reaction in the owner dog. It all depends on the energy of the newcomer, which can be completely submissive or fearful, or maybe retaliatory-aggressive. Whether you are bringing a new dog into the pack or moving in with another person with a dog, the procedure is the same - all dogs should meet on neutral territory and go on a long walk together before coming home. The owners enter the house first, then the dogs that live in the house, and then the new dog. This way, you give the dogs the opportunity to become a united pack on a walk, and then the dogs who previously lived in the house bring the newcomer into the house. Simply letting an unfamiliar dog into your home is considered trespassing. The method described above imitates the invitation of old dogs to a new family member into the house.
What to do if dogs fight?
An isolated dog fight won't be a disaster unless you repeat your reaction to it. Sometimes fights break out even among the closest members of the pack. One pet does not respect the personal space of the other and punishment turns into conflict. It happens that the owner drops a piece of tasty food on the floor and both dogs rush to him. One of the dogs may be in pain, and the other unknowingly touched the sore spot. The first step in the first fight is to quickly and calmly separate the dogs. Caesar Milan in his books tells step by step how to break up a dog fight, where your instinct is the key point. Direct your attention to the most tense dog, touch him to redirect his focus (the dog will let go if he has grabbed someone with his mouth), and then lift him up (but don't pull him back). Never scream or yell when dogs are fighting - this will only irritate them. You can shout loudly to the dog, but remain calm. You won't separate dogs with your voice, but with your energy you will defuse aggression. The second step is your behavior after the fight. The right thing to do is to forget that it (the fight) happened, because that’s what dogs will do. It’s wrong to start worrying about the next fight; this is the fastest and surest way to a new fight.
How to Avoid Dog Fights
Dogs fight in their pack for only one reason - they do not have a strong leader. This is why setting rules, boundaries and limits for the entire pack is so important. If all dogs see you as the leader of the pack, they will not look at each other as rivals. It is important to walk your dogs together, side by side. Not only does this reduce their energy levels and the likelihood of fighting, but walking together gives them the opportunity to focus on a single goal rather than each other. Remember: the worst thing you can do for dogs that fight constantly is to isolate them from each other. Socialization is the key to a balanced dog. This creates a separate territory for each dog, and competition for territory is a natural cause of fights between pack members. If dogs smell each other's scent, the conflict will develop into obsessive behavior. If they get close again, a collision cannot be avoided.
The key to success is you
Even between the most balanced members of the pack, skirmishes can arise. It's important to remember that you are in charge and this fight won't be the end of the world. Quickly and calmly separate the dogs, redirect their attention, take them for a walk together and don't worry about the collision happening again. Maybe they will fight again, maybe they won’t, but if your worries haven’t become your obsession, you won’t feed negative energy into your pets, and fights won’t happen again. Reward dogs when they are calm and obedient, and correct them when they are not. Your dogs would not want to get into a fight, and you, as the leader of the pack, can help them in this matter.
Have there been any fights in your pack? Tell us how you dealt with them in the comments below!
How to take control of the aggression of an adult animal?
If an adult dog shows hostility towards other dogs, the owner should take immediate action. It is important to remember that there are no animals that cannot be trained and trained. Any dog can be trained adequately to calmly accept other animals and behave well on the street.
Attention! You need to act persistently and consistently, since only the correct approach of alternating encouragement with censure will contribute to achieving the desired result.
You can train an adult dog to stop being aggressive in several stages:
Stage 1. Gaining authority. The animal's uncontrolled behavior both on the street and at home directly indicates that the dog does not accept its owner. This shortcoming in training can be corrected by regularly using certain techniques: it is necessary to demonstrate to the dog calmness, confidence and dominance not only during training, but also in any life situations. As befits a leader, the owner must eat first, win games, go first through all passages or doors, and limit the dog’s personal space to certain limits.
How to become an authority for a dog
Stage 2. Reducing the level of arousal during a walk. When aggression occurs, it is worth diverting the dog’s attention using prohibition commands or touching (not hitting!). It is worth teaching the dog the commands “Come to me” and “Nearby”, and immediately stop hostile manifestations towards other animals or causeless aggression. Until the dog begins to treat its relatives normally and calmly and obey commands, you can only walk with it on a leash.
Stage 3. Introduction and greeting ritual. As soon as the dog stops showing signs of aggression and begins to be interested in its fellow dog, it is necessary to proceed to the next stage of behavior correction. The pet will have to learn to observe the correct greeting ritual: sniff its relative without expressing any hostility. The owner should not interfere with communication - just move away a little, and after a while you can let the pet off the leash.
Dogs must sniff each other
Stage 4. Walking together. After successfully establishing contact with other individuals, the dog can be taken out for walks together. These can be public walks or “parallel movement” groups, when all participants with their pets on leashes walk in the same direction, forming a row. As the dogs get used to each other, the distance between the pairs decreases more and more.
Important! The animal should always be praised for its discipline.
The owner must mentally prepare for failures, since adjusting the upbringing of an adult animal is a rather difficult task. But if the dog feels the strength of its owner, his determination, will and authority, sooner or later it will be possible to change his behavior. It is important to remember that the dog must perceive its owner as a leader, otherwise it will not follow commands.
Video - Dog aggression towards other dogs
Weaning a dog from barking and attacking other dogs: 10 practical training tips
- Before displaying anger, the dog may show some signs of destructive behavior - pursing its ears, raising its front paws, taking a waiting position. At such moments, the owner needs to call the dog to him or say the command “Nearby”. It is advisable to try to achieve immediate execution of the command.
- If the dog tries to attack his fellow dog, but is on a leash, you must quickly say the prohibition command, while pulling on the harness.
- If the dog behaves well while walking, but immediately loses control without a leash, you need to let the pet go without unfastening the leash. This will make it easier for the owner to catch up with the dog.
- Dog handlers recommend blocking the view of aggressive dogs. For example, when another animal approaches, you should take the pet behind parked cars or a fence and wait.
- If the dog behaves aggressively, it is necessary to touch the dog's side or back, switching its attention. It is important to maintain eye contact with your pet.
With these signals, the dog says that it is better not to approach it.
- When unfriendly dogs find themselves in front of each other on a walk, the owner needs to silently and calmly stand in front of his pet, giving the “separation” signal of reconciliation.
- When a dog is behaving badly, you can only pull it to the side, but not upward.
- At the first attempts to rush at another animal, the dog's owner should touch its ears. This way he will let the pet know that he is under his protection.
- To establish trust between dogs, you can force an aggressive dog to sit with his back to his fellow dog - the dog on a subconscious level will no longer perceive him as a threat.
- Petting or giving treats to a dog that has shown aggression is strictly prohibited. The dog will perceive such actions as approval from the owner and will copy this behavior model.
It is strictly forbidden to touch or pet an aggressive dog.
What to do if your dog attacks strangers?
If the owner is able to ignore the hostile behavior of his pet towards his relatives, then an attack on people is a more serious cause for concern. Such destructive behavior is often caused by a number of reasons, but it must be corrected. Attacks on strangers can have dangerous consequences for both people and the dog itself.
Possible reasons for a dog's hostility towards strangers:
| Cause | Image | Description | Correction method |
| The dog perceives himself as a leader | Pets with a lack of training often do not perceive the owner as their leader. If a dog does not obey its owner, it can decide on the object of its own anger independently. Most often, such dogs attack people selectively, confidently demonstrating their superiority | Gaining authority and demonstrating strength and dominance on the part of the owner. Regular command training (it is advisable that the dog learns at least 5 commands per month) | |
| The dog is not able to expend accumulated energy | Active, passionate and temperamental dogs, for whom their owners cannot provide suitable living conditions, often pester passers-by. There is usually no aggression in such behavior; the dog is capable of simply trying to throw out all the energy it has accumulated. The animal rushes towards the person, jumps on him and jumps back again, inviting him to play with him. There are often situations when a frightened passerby begins to wave his arms or try to hit the dog, after which the animal actually shows aggression | Overexcitation combined with training. The essence of this technique is that the owner of the dog should walk him every day in an open area, giving him the opportunity to splash out his energy, and then in busy places for up to half an hour. | |
| The dog is unsocialized, attacks out of fear | The main indicator that a dog attacks people or other animals due to lack of self-confidence is its calm behavior at home. In a familiar environment and without the influence of stress factors, the animal behaves adequately, but as soon as it gets into a situation that causes stress, its behavior changes | Creating positive experiences and projections. The technique is based on accustoming the dog to strangers who do not threaten him. So, each time approaching a dog, a person stops at a certain distance while the owner rewards the pet for its lack of aggression. Gradually the distance decreases | |
| True dog aggression | An animal with a protective past can often exhibit actual aggressive behavior. This is explained by the dog’s upbringing - its hostility towards strangers was encouraged, it was taught to react to the behavior of a stranger. Often these dogs are trained for guard duty. | Adjusting hierarchical behavior |
Causes of aggression and methods of solving the problem
| Cause | Image | Solution |
| Leadership skills | The owner should start training his pet, paying special attention to obedience. This will make the dog obey the will of the owner and feel his authority | |
| Excess energy | The owner needs to find time for long active walks. When walking, you should play with your dog, you need to find exciting activities for it, without stopping the training process | |
| Lack or lack of socialization | Owners should consider different walking areas and allow the pet to make friends with people and other dogs | |
| Real aggression | It is necessary to avoid provocations, do not walk with the dog in crowded places, do not let him off the leash where there is a possibility of the presence of others or animals. |
Thus, almost any dog can be trained to behave adequately and calmly. The owner should be patient and assertive - it will take a certain period for the dog to get used to reacting normally to its relatives. It is important to understand that correcting the behavior of an adult pet requires training skills from its owner.
How to stop a dog from barking?
Certain results can be achieved either by teaching the “Quiet” command, or by switching the dog’s attention to something more interesting, or by avoiding the stimulus that causes barking. By identifying the cause of barking or the source of irritation, you can minimize this unpleasant habit.
For example, walking at different times with a dog that your pet doesn’t like. Start going to a training area to give your dog the opportunity to socialize and play with other dogs. And in the future, don’t be afraid to let her off the leash while walking. Teach her a command to stop barking.
In all cases, the habit of barking at other dogs can be overcome with careful attention and regular exercise, as another reason why a dog barks is boredom.
When the owner is working with it, the dog simply will not have the time and energy to bark at all the dogs and people passing by.
