What if your dog is dominant or aggressive with people or other dogs?
Dominance and aggression in dogs are very complicated subjects. There are many
factors that play into each situation. To the point that not even a very experienced
trainer can give a complete answer without knowing your complete situation. This is
why it is important to have an animal behaviorist sit down and listen to your entire
problem before offering a suggestion. However, there are some things that every dog
owner must understand, things that apply to every situation. But especially to
aggressive and dominance issues.Â
First, it is important to understand that dogs NEED leadership. Some dogs will accept
(even prefer) being led, and want to be dominated. Others will insist that leadership is
their rightful and deserved position and therefore challenge your position as the leader.Â
Either dog will assume the leadership position if given the feeling that the position is
vacant. Because of this, every dog owner needs to understand how to assert his position
in the family (the dog's "pack") effectively. This is not something that most people
know how to do automatically, and many owners will go about it incorrectly. Most
owners will not know how to handle situations of dominance and aggression from their
dogs, whether they realize it or not. However, there is always an answer...
Obedience training DOES help in issues like these. The reasons are numerous, but we'll
mention the main two from our experience. For one thing, the dog learns (if taught
correctly) that when given a command, that is his ONLY option. If told to sit, he sits
until told otherwise or released. This takes a bit of work to get to this point, and having
someone around who understands your dog's mind thoroughly. So it's important to have
a professional dog trainer help you and your dog get to the point where he will obey you
regardless of distractions or anything else. This is a must for a dog that you need help
trusting.Â
The second reason obedience training helps in this regard is that it reaffirms your role as
leader. Every time you give your dog a command and he complies, he has just worked
for you. This is ideal for you and the dog because the dog must learn to work for every
good thing in his life. Attention, food, furniture privileges, etc. Nothing comes for
free to the dog, and the dog is much happier with this consistency and structure. He
learns that you are his leader, he works for you happily, and it is YOUR decision (as the
alpha in his pack) as to what he does. Including whether or not he attacks another
person or dog.Â
This, of course, is not as simple as it may sound. It is a concept that is vital for dog
owners to grasp, as is the concept that ANY sign of possible aggression must be dealt
with. It is not something the dog will grow out of. It is a sign that something has gone
wrong that needs to be corrected in the dog's mind. Again, understanding these
concepts and accepting that obedience training is the first of many options an owner
should consider in this case.
It is also important to understand that it serious cases, an owner should expect to have to
seek out a professional dog trainer who is qualified and experienced in working with
aggression and dominance. Any owner with any dog with any worse-than-average
problem (even if the problem is uncontrollable jumping) must expect to work with their
dog and a trainer more than the average group class go-er. The owner must be entirely
committed to helping the dog work through these problems. Otherwise, in serious
cases, the end of the dog can be inevitable.Â
However, always remember that there is always an answer, and always a way to fix any
problem a dog has. IF the owner understands the points mentioned, seeks out a trainer
they trust, and is committed to the success of a solution.
**Note from DTU: To get advice for your specific situation regarding any behavior issues with
your dog or between your dogs, feel free to email us or call us anytime. You can expect us
to be honest with you about our expertise and experience in your particular situation. If
we feel further expertise is necessary, we will always know the best direction to point you.**
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Dominance and Aggression - Not the "end-all" for your dog!
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