First Coast Pet

Posts Tagged ‘puppy aggression’

Puppy socialization is a very important part of teaching your new pet how to get along in this world.  Many dog owners are surprised to learn that quite a few cases of canine aggression could have been prevented if the dog’s owner had only known about this important aspect of dog training.

Why Is Puppy Socialization So Important?

When you expose your dog to lots of different people, different animals, and different places, he learns for himself that new sights, sounds, and people are fun, not scary.

It’s easier to begin dog socializing while your pet is still in his puppyhood.You may not be aware that the best age for puppy socialization is between the ages of three and twelve weeks.  A young dog who has good experiences with new people, other dogs, and even cats will be much friendlier and less fearful of people.  This helps to prevent canine aggression towards strangers when he gets older.

Don’t despair, it’s never to late to start dog socializing.  It may take a little longer with an older dog, but you can still use canine socialization in order to help your pooch overcome a fear of strangers and be a happier, more trustworthy friend.

How Is Puppy Socialization Done?

Dog socializing is not that difficult, if you’re willing to make a little effort.

Many dog trainers suggest a puppy preschool.  This is a series of group-training classes for puppies and their owners.  Usually there are about 10 puppies and their people, along with a couple of dog trainers.  During these classes, the puppies start to learn basic dog obedience commands like sit, stay, and others.

But the obedience lessons aren’t the most important part of puppy preschool.  The play sessions are where your puppy learns essential social skills.While the play sessions are going on, the puppies will be taken off their leashes and allowed to play with each other.  Why is this important?

First, your puppy is learning valuable social skills by interacting with other dogs.

Second, because there will be dog trainers and other dog owners present, your pup will meet lots of unfamiliar people.  This is a great way for your puppy to learn not to be afraid of new people.

Third, it’s a controlled environment.  The dog trainers make sure things don’t get too wild.

Don’t Stop Puppy Socialization Too Soon

Many dog owners make the mistake of thinking that since their dog has been to puppy preschool, their puppy is now socialized.  This mistaken idea can lead to problems with aggression in puppies later on.

It’s important to continue to expose your young dog to new faces, new animals, and new places.  Sometimes puppies who seemed to be well socialized at a younger age “forget” those early lessons.  By the time your dog is between eight months and two years old, he may become fearful of people and start showing puppy aggression towards strangers.

You can learn more about using puppy socialization to prevent future problems with canine aggression by clicking on any link in this article.

Is dog food aggression a problem with your canine companion?  If your dog growls or snaps at anyone who gets too close while he’s eating, you need to stop this serious dog behavior problem before your dog attacks you or someone in your family.

Dog Food Aggression Is Instinctive Behavior For Canines

Dogs in the wild protect their food, their mates, and their territory.  Aggression is necessary for their survival.  The most aggressive dog is the pack leader, or alpha male, and he enforces his position by being the dominant dog in the pack.

But the pack leader in your home shouldn’t be your dog.  If he is, you’re in for trouble, because he thinks he’s the alpha male, and, like he would in the wild, he’ll use canine aggression to enforce his position.  This is a dominance issue that won’t go away on its own.  You must take steps to deal with his aggressive behavior before it reaches a dangerous level.

Causes of Food Aggression In Dogs

Many dog owners think puppy aggression is cute, especially when he’s “guarding” his food.  Encouraging this behavior is a serious training mistake many dog owners make.  Instead of being amused by canine food aggression, you need to nip this problem in the bud.

Your dog doesn’t know exactly who the pack leader is.The way your dog understands it, there is a leadership vacuum if you don’t take the role of the alpha male, even if you’re female.  If you don’t step into the role, he will.  And he won’t be nice about enforcing his position in your household.

He thinks that since he’s top dog, he can take whatever he wants from whoever is lower in rank than him.  The reality is that the family dog should be at the bottom of the heap, not the top.  Anyone in the household should be able to take anything away from him, even his food.  Of course, you’re not really going to do this, but he needs to know where he stands in your household pack.

Dog Food Aggression Training

With a puppy, you’ll make it clear that having people or other animals around when he’s eating is OK.  Do this right from the beginning, and you’ll probably never have a problem with this type of canine aggression.  Anyone in the family should be able to safely stand right next to him at any time while he’s eating.You should take control of his food if this isn’t the case.

It’s always a good idea to feed your dog after you and your family have finished eating.  Your dog will instinctively understand that the alpha dog always eats first.This teaches your dog exactly where he ranks in the family is in relation to everyone else.

Require that your dog sit and stay quietly while you’re fixing his food.  If your dog growls, and demands food, don’t give in.  He needs to earn his food by behaving in a non-aggressive manner.

Don’t let your dog “win” his food by showing aggression towards you.  This only rewards his bad dog behavior and reinforces the very behavior you want to stop.

If dog food aggression is already a serious problem in your household, a dog behavior course should be your next step.  You can find a course that includes a consultation with an experienced dog trainer by clicking on any link in this article.