Dog on Dog Aggression:

It is very unnatural for a dog to lack the social skills at a young age to interact around other dogs. That doesn’t mean your dog will be best friends with every dog they encounter but having realistic goals and expectations that include:

• Maintaining reliable obedience in public around other dogs
• Walking on leash past other dogs on a sidewalk or street
• Taking a trip to your vet office or going to a pet store where dogs will be present

All these events can and should take place without your dog lunging, barking or acting out at the site of another dog.

If you are having any of these issues with your dog, you want to make sure you are not sending the dog mixed messages in your handling. The most common contributing factors towards your dog’s aggressive reaction towards other dogs are:

• Walking the other way when seeing a dog
• Restraining a dog while he/she is barking or lunging
• Distracting a dog by asking for “eye contact” or obedience commands
• Using treats to bribe a dog not to bark/lunge
• Using treats as a method to distract the dog

These approaches are incorrect and are unfortunately often suggested by other trainers.  This method can cause more frustration, which you can see demonstrated by the seasoned reactive dog that has now created this response as their new job. The Doghouse, can help you understand the root of the issue and the proper training approach to take.

Human Aggression:

Having issues with your dog lunging/barking at people can be very unsettling. Many people get a dog for some sense of “protection”, but what draws the line between having a dog that alerts them of a stranger and having a potential liability occurrence? It is important to remember that all dogs are capable of growling, barking or biting and that all dogs are in full control of their mouths and what they decide to do with them.

Insecure dogs that have found a “false” sense of security by acting out aggressively towards our friends, neighbors, and/or the community are a liability and can become a potential danger.

In some cases, an overly confident dog has experimented with controlling people by using aggressive behaviors.  Sometimes, these displays of challenging begin with a low grumble or lip curl over a high drive bone, their food bowl, space on furniture, and/or you attempting to groom them.

If these acts of aggression have started occurring in your household, possible outcomes are:

• Inability to have friends over
• Unable to take the dog to the vet without them being sedated or muzzled
• Members of the household becoming timid around the dog
• Having to wait to take your dog for a walk until no other dogs/people are present
• Restricting your dog to never leave their house/backyard

The Doghouse and their training team have had the privilege of rehabilitating thousands of aggressive dogs to be successful members of the community.  Having trained Personal Protection Dogs and competing with our own dogs in protection sports, we understand the various drives within aggression and more importantly how to manage them.

The first step to rehabilitate your dog is to schedule a Behavior Analysis/Meet Greet at the training facility.  With access to many different ages, breeds, temperaments, and personalities of dogs in a controlled setting, we can thoroughly evaluate your dog and advise on the best training approach