Stop Dog Aggression Before it Starts - Puppy Training That Works

To stop dog aggression before it starts, puppy training should start as early as possible. Most puppies' aggressive behavior patterns start between age three and fourteen weeks - biting, fighting, barking and attacking - an age where they are emotionally connecting with their mother, their siblings and people around them. Fortunately, young aggressive puppies can unlearn this negative behavior as their aggression stems from fear and feeling threatened from previous human interactions. Ironically, it will be certain humans who will train the young puppy to remove the aggression.

Socializing the Unsocialized Puppy Puppies who are unsocialized when young are candidates for being aggressive when older. It is difficult but not impossible to socialize an unsocialized puppy before it becomes too aggressive, something which takes lots of fun and love. Puppy training should be done persistently and in a continuous routine. Meanwhile, it is important to remember that most unsocialized puppies have had little attention or love. Because of this, they do not know how to act correctly around people or other animals. Patience is the key.

Disciplining the Aggressive Puppy An emotionally starved puppy is hungry for love and attention, but does not quite know how to go about getting it. But loving the puppy and giving it lots of attention is not all there is. Disciplining the aggressive puppy should be a priority before it begins to display some pretty nasty behavior: biting, barking, attacking and generally being mule-headed about it all. This is not acceptable, no matter how darn cute they are.

Recognizing signs of defensive puppy aggression:
• Baring his teeth
• A held direct gaze
• Hackles will raise
• Tail curled between the back legs
• Body will be arched

These signs are considered aggressive when accompanying simple social activity interactions: approached by other dogs or strangers; when eating or drinking; around children; being petted on the head; protecting their belongings and toys; being groomed or examined at the vet; or protecting the yard/house. If not controlled as a young puppy, an aggressive older dog will do some serious damage.

Training Aggressive Puppies Once puppy socialization is in progression and discipline training has begun, then aggression training becomes even more involved. The most important step in aggressive dog training is to not punish the puppy for being aggressive.

I know. I know. It may sound stupid, but aggressive dogs and aggressive puppies have become this way due to fear, so punishing them by yelling or throwing them outside will only make the situation worse. When the puppy displays a sign of aggression, give the command "No, (name of dog)" and then state the command "sit". Do not remove them from the situation.

If the puppy does not know the command, gently push their hindquarters down to the ground while simultaneously lifting their chin upwards. After awhile, this command will be memorized by the dog. Whether the puppy follows the command or it is completed by the owner, praise it for doing such a good job. This is a technique which needs to be done time and again for signs of aggression.

Tony Cox enjoys learning about and sharing information about dogs, dog training, and dog health.

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