Before you can deal with a dog dominance issue at home or in dog obedience training, you must recognize that dog behavior and dog communication are not in line with human psychology. After all, your dog is a canine (canis familiaris of the Family Canidae), not homo sapiens. So he thinks like a canine, not like a person. Your dog responds as one might in a wolf pack, not as a human family member. He or she has real emotions, but they are canine emotions, not human emotions, and not to be mistaken as such.

The basic communication system of dogs involves three critical elements: silence, submission, and leadership, sometimes referred to generally as the dog whisper technique with elements of wolf pack communication. We will use these elements in this and subsequent dog training articles about solving Dog Dominance problems. You and I need to understand, “read,” and use your dog’s own communication system for optimal effectiveness in working with him.

Dogs have an inherent “pack psychology” which governs their thinking and actions. In a pack, there is one dominant one, and the rest are all followers. There is one “Alpha male” and one “Alpha female.” To relate to a dog from a position of strength, respect, and control, YOU must be the “Alpha Leader,” the “Pack Leader,” and you must use pack psychology and pack communication.

Often we see dominant dogs taken home as young pups, because people are amused by their spirited behavior. Actually, they are usually the first puppies chosen, the proverbial “pick of the litter.” However, if this “high-spirited nature” is not controlled, then things get out of control quickly . . . becoming worse over time . . . until the situation sometimes becomes dangerous. Dominance can lead to “violence.”

So you might look for a mature dog, such as a Shelter Dog or Rescued Dog. However, looking for a less dominant pet is not so easy in shelters. There a dog’s true nature is difficult to discern without the aid of an experienced person. While in the shelter, the dog rarely has an area or anything that is under the dog’s control, so there is little opportunity to observe possessiveness and dominance problems.

Nor are dogs cooped up in shelters able to burn off excess energy. It’s very hard for an untrained eye to differentiate between an excited “please take me home” and the more troublesome “I want to control you!” of the hyper-active, dominant canine.

But the dominance problem quickly becomes evident when you go home and relax, for dominance shows up where “weakness” is present. For example, petting your dog when it is submissive (e.g., sitting or lying down) is appropriate and desirable, but not when it is in an aggressive or dominant stance. If you display any sign of soft laxity at the wrong time because of your affection, that will be interpreted by your dog as weakness . . . and then, “Katie bar the door!” With dominant types, you simply cannot afford to let down your guard, or to make an exception “just this once” because the pup is so cute.

You must establish and maintain firm, consistent control of the Dominant Dog at all times. These eye-catching, spirited animals are highly intelligent and have great potential, but they also are usually very willful, stubborn, born leaders who seek to control you, other animals, and their environment. They want to rule the roost! You cannot give them an inch . . . or they will take it, and take it, and take it . . . over and over, time and again. These dogs are persistent!

For example, one friend had an Old English Sheepdog puppy, an “Alpha Female” about eight months old, who had a very bad reaction to a toxic flea dip in the 1970’s. As the puppy started to tremor, the frightened owners lifted their darling onto the foot of the bed, both for her comfort and to ease their own backs as they nursed her.

MISTAKE! That one incident led that puppy and her litter-mate to sneak onto the bed whenever possible . . . a pattern the owners never succeeded in terminating for the rest of the dogs’ lives!

Too many owners just coddle the two-and-three month old “babies” and think that puppy training can start later. NO! The intelligent, spirited ones, especially, must be “trained” from day one with consistency, with You clearly as the Master. Because of their high intelligence, they are ready much earlier than others for more formal types of training, too. Training helps remove boredom and release energy, while giving the prideful animal a proper goal for which to strive, and achievement about which to strut with regal, dignified, proud bearing and the clear satisfaction of pleasing.

“Don’t move with them, you lose them!”

I, too, have had a trying personal experience with an aggressive “Alpha pup.” I brought home a beautiful “Rescued Dog,” a retriever puppy from the Humane Society. She turned out to be the most willful and stubborn dog I have ever seen, striving for dominance in all things! There is no way she would have lasted in a “normal” home. However, because of my sheer determination with consistent, proper training, she is becoming a loving, playful, and obedient “sweetheart” who, without loss of any spunk or pride, nevertheless submits to my command by a mere glance. I am her undisputed “Pack Leader.”

Still, it wasn’t easy to get her to that state. In great frustration, I eagerly sought the advice of two other trainers with vast puppy experience. So I say to beleaguered Owners of aggressive, dominant puppies and dogs, “Don’t be embarrassed. This can happen to anyone! Never be ashamed to ask for help from a Dog Trainer.” (Just make sure they really understand pack psychology.)

If you have a dog dominance problem, there is a specific training technique that will work for you, and it centers on “FOCUS.” It applies the communication system of silence, submission, and leadership, and is a dog training technique which is effective with most dog dominance issues. [It’s much more effective and pleasant than hitting and yelling!]

So get help with control of the dog dominance behavior, and restore a right relationship with your pet, and peace and harmony in your home!

Source:findoutaboutdogs.com

Types of Aggressive Dog Behavior

Dominance Aggression
When a dog is aggressive because he demands obedience, it is dominance aggression. Here the dog loves to be the undisputed king of the household and will often be deaf to your commands. He will exhibit aggressive behavior when asked to do certain things or even when patted or groomed.

Territorial (Overprotective) Aggression
A dog might become aggressive, when he believes that someone is violating or intruding his personal space/ belongings. Sometimes, the animal gets aggressive without the presence of any actual threat. Such an animal is guided by a sense of excessive protection for his house/ owner from other people or animals.

Fear Aggression
Sometimes a dog tries to be aggressive in order to screen his own fear, nervousness and insecurities. Such a dog reacts to anything and everything. Any sort of disturbance in the surroundings alerts him and makes him exhibit aggressive behavior. He might even bite if you try to pacify him.

Predatory Aggression
This is also a potentially dangerous aggressive behavior in dogs. Here, the dog’s aggression is triggered by anything that moves. One can witness this behavior with street dogs that chase moving vehicles. Sometimes such an animal might chase playing children, joggers or even normal pedestrians.

Punishment Aggression
Some owners mete out severe punishment to their dogs that can at times turn out to be unhealthy and dangerous. Such behaviors from their owner might undermine the dog’s confidence. The dog may see his master as a source of threat, and retaliate by displaying aggressive behavior sooner or later.

Pain Aggression
}Sometimes a dog might react aggressively when you touch him in sensitive, infected or cramped areas. Various illnesses (arthritis, ear problems, and hip dysphasia) also make his temperament foul and vicious. Thus, such an aggressive behavior is the off-shoot of pain.

Maternal Aggression
Such an aggressive behavior is noticed in females, when they rear and feed their new born pups. She might instinctively exhibit aggression if any human or animal approaches the whelping area. Maternal aggression slowly disappears in the mother as her puppies grow.

Dog Aggression
Such dog-to-dog aggression is noticed in puppies while they play and learn. It should be curbed at once. Such behavioral patterns, if left unattended, give rise to adult dogs that can be highly dangerous. Dog-to-dog fights generally take place for various reasons like territory, food, dominance or fear.

Redirected Aggression
An already aggressive dog might redirect his aggression to anyone. In this form of aggression, the dog is already aroused/ agitated and tries to harm whoever tries to interfere with or put an end to his aggression. Thus, it is always better to find out what is the primary stimulus of the dog’s aggression and treat/ prevent it.

Stopping Aggressive Dog Behavior

* Let the dog know and understand his position in the family.
* Select the right breed of dog that suits your lifestyle and habits.
* Never make your dog a part of aggressive games and play.
* Provide your dog with rewards for displaying good behavior.
* Mild discipline should always be maintained.
* Provide him enough mental and physical exercise.
* Don’t pat or praise him excessively, without any reason.
* Don’t mete out unwarranted punishment on your dog.
* Don’t leave the dog unsupervised with strangers and small children.
* Consult your veterinarian and appoint a good trainer.

We see that a dog might be aggressive due to various reasons. Thus, it is very important that you delve into your pet’s psychology to understand what exactly is making him aggressive. Leashing an aggressive dog in a secluded corner or meting corporal punishment will do no good. Try the above tricks and be the happy owner of a happy dog.

Source:pets.iloveindia.com

Aggressive dog behavior should be taken very seriously. We all know what an aggressive dog can do. He can get into a lot of trouble and get you into a very troubling situation. Besides getting you into a legal mess, he can cause you a lot of stress and embarrassment with his unacceptable behavior.

Aggressive behavior manifests in many ways. Of course, biting and growling at people or other dogs is the most obvious. But you should always be aware of different kinds of dog behavior that are sometimes overlooked and can get out of control.

Aggressive dog behavior includes:

1. Walking ahead of you on a leash, or going in and out doors ahead of you.

2. Being demanding, whether whining or barking, to get your attention.

3. Being stubborn and willful, and not listening to your commands.

4. Jumping or putting their paws on people.

5. Pushing you to pet them or play with them by nudging you.

Aggressive dog behavior does not happen overnight, so you should watch out for signs of developing dominant behavior. Also, all aggressive dogs do not exhibit biting and growling, but they may have one of the other signs of dominant behavior.

Dogs know that they depend on humans for their survival. They are fed and taken care of by humans. However, when they know they can get their way by being demanding, they will think of themselves as the leader. Since we cannot allow dogs to be the leader and let them exhibit all kinds of dominant behavior, such as biting, we need to nip this aggressive dog behavior before it has a chance to develop into more serious aggression.

You can hire a dog trainer to work with your dog. However, this can be very expensive. Also, dog training is as much training for the owner as it is for the dog. The owner needs to be the alpha dog, so you both need to be trained. You need to learn how to become the leader, and how to show your dog that from now on you are in charge.

Let’s face it, aggressive dog behavior can be very stressful and embarrassing at best, and very dangerous at worst. You love your dog, and it would be awful if he did something irretrievable that could have grave consequences.

Source:ezinearticles.com

Aggressive dog behavior is not always recognized. Many people only recognize the major aggression problems, but some smaller aggression in dogs goes by unnoticed or at least accepted. But dominant and alpha behavior in dogs should be corrected.

Dogs depend on humans for their food and to open doors for them, etc. But if the dog becomes demanding, then he feels he is the dominant one, and this is where dog aggression starts. If he is not stopped he will continue developing aggressive behavior over time, which can become a very serious problem.

Not all aggressive dogs bite or growl. They can have more subtle aggressive behavior, such as being stubborn and demanding. They might refuse to obey you and insist on getting their way. They might jump on your lap without being called, or nudge you to play with them. They might whine or bark at you when they want something. All these are signs of aggressive behavior.

Aggressive dog behavior, if left untreated, will develop over time. Your dog will become more and more dominant, and he might start acting out more aggressively. We all know that this is not only stressful, but dangerous as well. Dog attacks are not uncommon, and are known to happen with family dogs that have been in the family for years.

Dogs are supposed to obey your command and follow you, not the other way around. When a dog is making you do what he wants, there is something wrong with that picture. You have to become the leader again and put a stop to his aggressive dog behavior in order to avoid a major catastrophe. We love our dogs, and I cannot think of a worse scenario than if one of my dogs injured someone and I would have to give him up.

A dog trainer is very expensive. Also, the dog trainer will train your dog, but you need as much training as the dog, so you can learn how to become the dominant one. You need to learn how to regain the command of your dog, so he will recognize you as the leader.

Source:ezinearticles.com