Our Dogs World 101

How To Correct Dog Aggression – 9 Things You Can Do For A Happier Dog

Today we are going to look at some different ways that you can correct dog aggression and how successful these methods are!

Dogs are the best. They’re always happy to see you, they wag their tails and give you wet kisses. But sometimes, they can be a little too enthusiastic – especially when they’re around strangers or other animals. If your dog has a tendency to act aggressively, don’t worry! There are plenty of things you can do to correct his behavior.

Often, aggression is caused by a combination of factors including the owner’s behaviour, the dog’s environment, previous treatment, and breed. 

Check out these nine tips you can take to correct your dog’s aggressive behaviour:

1. Establish Yourself As The Alpha. 

Dogs are hierarchical creatures, and in order for you to gain your dog’s respect and obedience, you need to establish yourself as the leader of the pack. This can be done through consistent training and exercise routines. 

By being the alpha, your dog will look to you for guidance and direction, rather than making their own decisions. This will help to prevent aggression and other behavioral problems.

If you’re not sure how to become the alpha, there are plenty of resources available that can help you learn the ropes. Once you’ve established yourself as the leader, you’ll be on your way to a lifelong relationship with your furry friend.

2. How To Stop Dog Aggression Towards Strangers

One of the most common questions we get asked is how to stop dog aggression towards strangers. It’s a big problem for many dog owners, and it can be really tough to overcome.

There are a few things you can do to help stop your dog’s aggression towards strangers. First, make sure that you’re providing plenty of socialization opportunities for your dog. This means exposing them to different people, places, and situations on a regular basis so they can learn to cope with new experiences.

Second, crate training can be a great way to help reduce your dog’s anxiety and stress levels. Crates provide a safe space for dogs to retreat to when they’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, and this can be helpful in reducing aggression.

Third, positive reinforcement training is an excellent way to help your dog learn new behaviors and unlearn aggressive ones. Reward your dog for calm and friendly behavior around strangers and ignore or redirect aggression. This type of training takes patience and consistency, but it can be very effective in reducing aggression.

If you’re struggling with your dog’s aggression towards strangers, reach out to us here at Our Dogs World 101 for help. We can assess the situation and offer specific advice on how to best address the problem.

Remember, you’re not alone – many dog owners face this issue at some point in their lives. With patience, consistency, and the right approach, you can overcome dog aggression towards strangers.

2. Create A Calm Environment. 

If you have a dog that is prone to aggression, it is important to create a calm and relaxing environment. Dogs who feel anxious or stressed are more likely to act out aggressively. By creating a peaceful atmosphere for your dog, you can help to reduce their stress levels and prevent them from acting out.

Dog Aggression shown by a german shepard growling at a mas hands

There are a few simple ways to create a calming environment for your dog. 

First, make sure that there is plenty of space for them to move around freely. If they feel cramped or restricted, this can increase their anxiety levels. 

Second, provide them with plenty of toys and activities to keep them occupied. This will help to distract them from anything that may be causing them stress. 

Finally, make sure that you spend time regularly interacting with your dog. This will help them to feel loved and secure, and less likely to act out aggressively.

By following these simple tips, you can create a calm environment for your dog that will help to reduce their stress levels and prevent them from acting out aggressively.

3. Socialize Your Dog Early And Often To Avoid Dog Aggression. 

Dogs who are not properly socialized are more likely to be aggressive. Socialization involves exposing your dog to a variety of people, places, and experiences in a positive way so that they learn to trust and be comfortable around others.

One of the best ways to socialize your dog is to enroll them in puppy classes or obedience training. This will help them get used to being around other people and animals, and it will also teach them basic commands that can be helpful in managing their behavior.

little dog and cat isolated on white backround

It’s also important to expose your dog to different environments on a regular basis. This can be anything from going for walks in new neighborhoods to taking them to the park or beach. The more exposure they have to different types of people and places, the less likely they are to be fearful or aggressive in new situations.

If you think your dog is showing signs of aggression, it’s important to consult with a certified behaviorist or trainer here at Our Dogs World 101 who can help you assess the situation and create a plan for managing your dog’s behavior. With early socialization and positive reinforcement, most dogs can learn to trust and be comfortable around others.

If you would like help with your dog’s aggression, please leave the details below and I will personally get back to you on how to remove this behavior.

4. Avoid Using Physical Punishment For Dog Aggression

If you’re trying to correct your dog’s aggression, it’s important to avoid using physical punishment. This will only serve to increase your dog’s anxiety and fear, which can lead to further aggression. 

Instead, use positive reinforcement techniques such as praise or treats to rewards good behaviour. With patience and consistency, you can help your dog overcome their aggression and learn to behave in a more positive way.

5. Do Not Reward Aggressive Behaviour. 

One of the worst things you can do when your dog is being aggressive is to give them attention, even if it’s negative attention. This will only serve to reinforce the aggressive behaviour. 

Instead, ignore your dog completely until the aggression subsides. If you consistently do this every time your dog exhibits aggression, they will eventually learn that the only way to get your attention is to behave in a non-aggressive manner.

6. Be Consistent With Your Commands. 

One of the most important things you can do when trying to correct your dog’s aggressive behavior is to be consistent with your commands. 

What this means is that you should always use the same words and phrases when giving them a command, and that you should never give them a command that you are not prepared to follow through on. 

beautiful woman doing high five her adorable golden retriever dog at home

For example, if you tell your dog to “sit” but then allow them to stand up, they will quickly learn that your commands are not to be taken seriously. Similarly, if you tell your dog to “stay” but then allow them to walk away, they will learn that they can ignore your commands.

It is also important to be consistent in the way you give commands. 

For example, if you sometimes use a verbal command and other times use a physical command (such as pushing them into a sitting position), your dog will become confused and will not know what you expect from them.

Finally, it is important to be consistent in the consequences you give for disobedient behavior. If you allow your dog to get away with aggressive behavior sometimes but not others, they will not understand what they are doing wrong and will continue to behave aggressively. 

It is important to be consistent in both the commands you give and the consequences you provide so that your dog knows exactly what is expected of them.

If you are consistent with your commands and the consequences you provide, your dog will quickly learn what is expected of them and will begin to behave in the way you want them to. 

This is the best way to correct your dog’s aggressive behavior.

7. Seek Professional Help For Dog Aggression. 

If you have tried everything you can think of to correct your dog’s aggressive behavior, and nothing has worked, it may be time to seek professional help. The team at Our Dogs World 101 may be able to help you if this is the case.

There are many different reasons why a dog may be aggressive, and it is not always easy to figure out what the cause is. If you have tried everything you can think of to correct your dog’s aggressive behavior, and nothing has worked, it may be time to seek professional help. The team at Our Dogs World 101 may be able to help you if this is the case.

Co-owners and Founders of Our Dogs World 101

Our Dogs World 101 specializes in helping dog owners with aggressive dogs. We will work with you and your dog to find out what is causing the aggression and help you to correct it. We have a wide range of experience with all sorts of aggression issues, so we are confident that we can help you and your dog. 

If you would like to learn more about our services, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us today. We look forward to helping you and your dog overcome the aggression issue.

8. Be Patient. 

When training a dog or puppy to correct its aggression, it is important to be patient. Results won’t happen instantly, and the process can take some time, especially if the problem of aggression has been ignored for some time.

key points:

  • Dogs need to be trained with firmness and love
  • Training a dog takes patience
  • The earlier you start training a dog, the better
  • If you’ve been ignoring your dog’s aggression, it will take longer to train them out of it
  • Be consistent with your training
  • Have realistic expectations – don’t expect your dog to be perfect, just less aggressive than before.

If you are consistent with your training and have realistic expectations, you will eventually see results. Be patient and don’t give up on your furry friend!

9. How To Correct Dog Aggression For Food?

If your dog is displaying aggression toward food, there are a few things you can do to help correct the behavior. First, it’s important to understand that aggression is often rooted in fear or insecurity. This means that your dog may be acting aggressively in order to protect himself from perceived threats.

One of the best ways to correct dog aggression is through positive reinforcement training. This involves rewarding your dog for good behavior and ignoring or redirecting him when he displays aggressive behaviors. For example, if your dog growls when you approach his food bowl, you would ignore the behavior and wait until he is calm before offering him a treat.

It’s also important to avoid punishment when trying to correct dog aggression. Punishing your dog will only make him more fearful and may cause him to act out in other ways. Instead, focus on rewards and positive reinforcement to help your dog feel safe and secure around food. With patience and consistent training, you can help your dog overcome his aggression and learn to enjoy mealtimes once again.

I have also had a lot of success by using the fake hand method where you place a fake hand on a broom stick in their food bowl while they are eating and let them get used to the idea that it is not a threat. You can also try this with a toy or anything else that they see as valuable.

If your dog is still having trouble after trying these methods, you may want to consult with a professional trainer or behaviorist. They can help you identify the underlying cause of your dog’s aggression and come up with a customized plan to help him overcome it.

With the right help, you can get your furry friend back on track and enjoying mealtime again in no time.

Can An Aggressive Dog Be Cured?

Yes, an aggressive dog can be cured. However, it will take time, patience, and consistency on your part. You need to show your dog that you are the alpha leader and that you are in control. This means being firm but calm when disciplining your dog. You should never hesitate or show fear when dealing with an aggressive dog, as this will only aggravate the situation. In addition to proper training, a healthy diet and plenty of exercise can also help reduce aggression in dogs. If you suspect that your dog's aggression is stemming from a medical condition, please consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Should I get Rid Of My Dog If He Bites Me?

This is a difficult question to answer without knowing more about the situation. Biting can be an act of aggression or self-defense, so it's important to determine why your dog is biting. If your dog is biting out of fear or anxiety, then you may be able to correct the behavior with training. However, if your dog is biting aggressively out of dominance or territorialism, then the behavior may be more difficult to correct and could potentially pose a danger to you or others. If you're unable to correct your dog's aggressive biting behavior, then it may be best to find him a new home where he can receive the necessary training and care.

How To Correct Dog Aggression Conclusion

Aggressive behavior in dogs can be corrected, but it takes time, patience and consistency. If you’re struggling with an aggressive dog, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. 

A professional trainer or behaviorist can assist you in developing a training plan that will help your dog become the well-adjusted companion you always wanted. 

With some effort on your part, your pup can overcome his aggression and become a happy dog. Have you had success correcting aggressive behavior in your own dog? Let us know how you did it!

Remember… Owning a dog should be FUN, not a chore! 

My name is Mark and I currently live in Australia.

I am passionate about educating Doggie parents and helping you to make the best possible decisions to help your dog live a long, happy and healthy life.

As a Dog trainer & behaviorist I have always used The Dog Solution methods with a 100% success rate.
Feel free to contact us, and stay tuned for updates and informative posts on dog care, training, diet, and much more!

“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen” – Orhan Pamuk

Mark & Saffron – Founders of Our Dogs World 101

6 thoughts on “How To Correct Dog Aggression – 9 Things You Can Do For A Happier Dog”

  1. The article is very helpful because we must face the fact

    that aggressive dogs can be more than a problem and the 

    article has just made things easy for us to be able to control 

    Our dogs I just wanted to ask how to  control an aggressive dog

    That you don’t own because I think dogs that you don’t own 

    can be very dangerous

    Reply
    • Hey Sabelo,

      Unless you are a qualified dog trainer, I wouldn’t even attempt to control an aggressive dog you don’t own.

      I have been working with and training dogs for over 35 years and my tip would be don’t 🙂

      Great question and thanks for sharing, Sabelo.

      Mark

      Reply
  2. Hey thanks for this post!

    I haven’t bought a puppy yet however have been considering one since a while now and guess what this is going to be a great guide! I visit it often and can tell you, I have learnt a lot, keep them coming!

    I believe socializing is the number one thing to best help them from the start!

    Reply
    • Hey Sariyah,

      100%… Socializing your dog from a puppy is the most important thing in establishing a well-tempered and confident dog, and the best place to start is with puppy classes.

      Puppy classes teach them the basics in training, but more importantly you are socializing them with other puppies.

      Thanks for sharing this.

      Mark

      Reply
  3. Dog aggression is a serious issue that unfortunately many dog owners do not care about much. Either they don’t know how or they don’t have the time to spend with their dog in order to correct the issue. You have some very valid tips there and hopefully it will help a lot of people with this problem. Thanks for the share!

    Reply
    • And that’s the sad thing Stratos… Owners not caring is why their cute puppy can end up being aggressive because it is basically ignored once the cute stage has passed.

      Dogs, just like your kids are a lifetime commitment and if you can’t give that then you shouldn’t be owning a dog.

      Great share Stratos 🙂

      Mark

      Reply

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