Realize that in order to have control of your dog in all kinds of situations and to enjoy a normal, wonderful life with your dog, proper training is essential. The earlier, the better. Early training when the dog is a puppy between the ages of seven to ten weeks is best. However, if the dog is older, training should also be mandatory. This applies to every dog regardless of breed, size and sex.
Make sure your dog is in good health with no medical reasons for him to react aggressively because of pain.
Obtain as much information about your dog's ancestry, history and medical history as possible from the dog's veterinarian, previous owners, the breeder, the shelter - wherever your dog came from.
Learn to recognize the signs of aggression.
Determine what type of aggressive behavior you are dealing with.
Test your dog and test any dog you are considering bringing into your home, puppy or adult.
Recognize that a truly aggressive dog is not a happy dog and that living with the dangers and the liabilities is not a safe or normal way of life.
Know that anyone (professional or otherwise) who says that aggression is not a problem or that your dog will out grow the problem, does not understand aggression.
Take appropriate action early on, when your dog is still a puppy and behavior modification is easier.
Seek professional help from a qualified expert who understands aggression and will not exacerbate the problem.
In a few cases, behavior cannot be modified and options need to be considered. |