Exercise With Your Dog It can also help your efforts to keep the following tips in mind: Above all else, be realistic. Take your dog to the park to let them burn off excess energy. Taking your dog for a walk once or twice a day should do the trick. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998. If you’re trying to calm down aggressive behavior in dogs that don’t belong to you, say you encounter one on a walk or jog, this is where the BarxBuddy can come in handy. It's important to make a note of what caused the aggression. How to Calm a Hyper Dog Like treating aggression in dogs, treating hyperactivity in dogs requires a lower-protein diet. Once you’ve recognized the signs of an aggressive dog, it’s important to understand how you can minimize or eliminate their aggressive behavior. Make your dog's triggers known to any trainer should you enroll in a aggression training camp or behavioral course. Have the right plan to soothe the aggression of your dog so as not to try techniques that may not work well, or may only worsen things. Calming your dog’s angry temperament all comes down to you being vigilant and noticing when he is showing warning signs and then knowing what your next step is going to be. I have an adult female Yorkie who attacks an adult female Poodle. If you adopted an adult dog with behavioral issues, or missed the symptoms of aggression in your pet’s puppyhood, there are still ways to stop aggression even when it becomes a serious problem.. If you are earnestly looking for how to calm an aggressive dog or to stop a dog being aggressive in 2018, your acquisition of Doggy Dan’s Online Training Program will be one HUGE step forward toward a better behaved dog and a much happier you! What can we do? Calm and reassure your dog to make sure it feels safe. Immediately report any violent aggression to your local humane society to appropriately treat the situation. My dog gets aggressive when its nails are being cut. If it's actively attacking you, make yourself small and don't run. Handle With Care: Adopting and Training Abused Dogs, #StoptheShock: Positive Dog Training Without Shock Collars, Recall Command: How to Teach a Dog to Come When Called, Becoming still and rigid (hair on the back raises). What do I do if my dog attacks other dogs for no reason? Never offer a reward as a way to calm down a dog. We've recognized certain triggers and are preventative in most cases, but once in a while, she'll latch onto her fur. So, your first step in calming an aggressive dog down is to try and work out what is triggering your dog to act out. So in this type of condition keep calm and don’t get panic. Your dog can reflect your attitude. In these cases, it's best to find the owner or contact local animal authorities. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 He has given me a superficial bite, which turned my hand black for a week. If the dog retreats, calmly walk away. Check with your shelter to discuss their aggressive animal policy. Stay as calm as possible and stay facing the dog, but start moving away slowly. When you take of his harness, give him treats and praise and love. Petting should be calming and therapeutic for the dog to relax and take off its … 2 Move slowly and calmly away from the dog. As he is biting or fighting the object, you can take the opportunity to get away safely. How to Calm an Aggressive Dog. He is 5 yrs old. If he barks, ignore him. If you run, dogs will be tempted to chase after you. But ultimately, aggressive behaviors like barking, growling, snapping, and lunging ARE serious problems. This is a position of submission and an aggressive dog will resist this "challenge" vigorously. Speak to him in a soothing tone. Be patient. Dogs can display aggressive behavior for a number of reasons. This article was co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD. Thoughtful measures will help you better address dog aggression. Aggressive behavior is not permanent and there are many methods and approaches to change and calm your dog’s aggressive behavior.  If you respond to a growling dog by hitting, yelling or using some other aversive method , the dog may feel the need to defend itself by biting you. Many shelters have a euthanasia policy in place for aggressive animals. Aggressive behavior is not permanent and there are many methods and approaches to change and calm your dog’s aggressive behavior. Speak in a normal tone and control your body language. Leash Training. This is most likely because of trust issues. Take note of your pet’s triggers. Knowing what your dog’s triggers are, as well as exposing them other dogs and individuals, will help curb their aggressive behavior. How to Calm an Aggressive Dog Be calm. Scents like lavender and vanilla can help calm your dog down, especially if you associate them with times when the dog is calm — like having a scented air freshener near her bed.Be sure that your dog doesn’t have any allergies to particular scents and ask your veterinarian for recommendations on the scents that work best at calming dogs down. Pay attention to all of his behaviors, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Understand body language. 1) Remain calm and still. This includes yelling; don’t yell at an aggressive dog. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. The very first step to training an aggressive dog is making sure that everyone is safe. See if you can get some professional help. If your vet finds something medically behind your dog’s aggression, he or she might recommend treatment or medication to reduce, control, or eliminate negative behavior. Because dogs can act aggressively due to underlying medical problems, we suggest that you rule out health issues. This article has been viewed 21,867 times. However, if medical troubles are ruled out, ask your vet for some dog behaviorist recommendations. No matter. If your dog growls over a bone, snarls at another dog, or lunges at a child—your first instinct is likely to scream, “NO!!!!”. Over time you can desensitize him by offering praise and treats as you gradually reduce the amount of space. You may find that a change of scenery will help your pet learn not every stroll needs to end in chaos. Additionally, socialize your dog as early as possible to allow it to get used to all sorts of encounters with humans and other animals. Because your this habit will make him more confident in his attack and he will definitely make an attack upon you. This ultrasonic hand-held training device emits a high-frequency sound that dogs can hear, but humans can’t. Given the “right” circumstances, any dog can show aggression to humans or other animals. Be extremely careful as you approach a shy, fearful, or aggressive dog because your own body language and demeanor are important, too. If your dog has a habit to be particularly withdrawn and fearful, offer them a safe space or a crate from your helper. Or play a game that you usually play with the dog. Dog appeasing pheromones are synthetic pheromones similar to the calming pheromones that female dogs give off while nursing puppies. What if your dog is the one displaying aggressive behavior? By using our site, you agree to our. Get knowledge in some ways which will … Taking your pup to a few behavioral classes could be the answer…. Dogs can display aggressive behavior for a number of reasons. When the dog tries to bite, give it a toy. Take slow and short steps as you move away from the dog, and avoid running in any circumstance. If he only snaps at other dogs when toys are around, then he is being possessive. Calming your aggressive dog starts with noticing the warning signs we have talked about above. This is a hard question to answer as there could be many different reasons (medical, behavioral) so you should contact your veterinarian for advice on your dog. Alternatively, if your dog has had prior traumatic experiences, consider enrolling it in behavioral classes to give it the proper tools for handling aggression. From Excessive Barking, Poor Recall Response, Aggresive Behavior, Pulling on the Leash, Naughty Puppies & Other 30+ Problems And This Method Works to ALL BREEDS. Rewarding your dog with a walk around the park is one of the best ways to deal with aggression. One of the best aggressive dog training tips is to stay calm. If you punish your dog harshly, some dogs stop communicating discomfort to avoid further punishment. If you have adopted or rescued your dog, it may be the case of a post-trauma that is causing the change in calm to anger. How to Calm An Aggressive Dog By Yourselves Got a Frustating DOG PROBLEM and about to give up? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This is important because, in order to talk to the mind, you need to remove the energy from the body. I think that the opposite is worse – owners who turn a blind eye to their pet’s behavior and pretend that everything is normal.. A dog who reacts badly to other dogs should be handled carefully to avoid incidence.. However, if your dog is very aggressive, you will want to consult with a professional dog trainer. Depending on the specifics of your problem, here are some effective solutions that will transform a grumpy pooch into a calm pup. Avoid tensing up the leash, forcing your dog to move quickly, or raising your voice if you anticipate a aggressive outburst. There are collars, sprays, and diffusers, so you can choose the best option for your dog. Solution: Put your dog on a leash while you watch TV and ignore him. Reward good behavior every chance you get. Don't run. Take your dog for regular daily walks at least twice a day. What should I do? Do not take him to a dog park and even if … Learning how to calm an aggressive dog is something no pet owner wants to be tasked with. Prevention and understanding are the best ways to keep an aggressive dog calm. It’s difficult to admit that you have an aggressive dog because people start to assume that you’re not doing the best you can. How to calm an aggressive dog? How To Train An Alpha Dog To Be Less Aggressive. Put a lot of effort into rebuilding trust, including getting a dog behaviorist if that can help. Send him to an isolated place or to his crate and this may calm him down. Instead, calmly lead your dog away from approaching dogs or if they are already displaying aggressive behavior. Stay the course. Does he react negatively toward strangers or children? If he gains your trust that nothing bad will happen to him, then he might stop. Practice prevention. This is … This will help it to know that other dogs are not a threat and that it can be calm and doesn't need to get angry, defensive or aggressive. Once they seem comfortable continue approaching at a steady rate and stop and wait once their aggression is triggered again. Use a slow petting method that is similar to massage or light scratching to calm a dog down. If you’re full of anger and hostility, he will be too. This will help them become familiar with the individual and will allow for them to approach your dog. The key to calming an aggressive dog is figuring out what is making your dog so aggressive. To learn how to deal with dogs who are aggressive toward people, keep reading! The cause of bad behavior is difficult and sometimes can take years to find out what triggers your pup’s aggression. Nevertheless, listed below are some of the methods that you rely on to keep your dog calm around people. If your dog gets uncomfortable and walks away from you or another person, give him space and don’t make him feel cornered. Bring your dog's triggers to the attention of your vet to see if their behavior can be treated with medication. Teaching your dog NOT to growl before he bites will jeopardize the safety of everyone you love. This may be caused by a fear of other dogs, so make sure your dog feels safe. While there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to aggressive dogs, there are several things you can do to learn how to calm an aggressive dog. Even inanimate objects can touch off aggressive behavior. You can not change your dog’s behavior overnight, or even a few days or weeks. The idea is that your dog will learn to associate his triggers with something positive. Check Out The Techniques To Immediately Calm And Control Aggression In Dogs. Ensure everyone in the household is on the same page. 02. Before you can address your dog’s aggression, you need to first understand what makes dogs aggressive, and what’s behind the anger. To establish yourself as the alpha dog in your home, you may have to use a leash inside your home. You have to keep your dog on a short leash while outing. Another way to stop aggressive dog behavior is to give him a �time out� punishment when he becomes aggressive. Problematic behavior should ensue some precautionary steps. To calm an aggressive dog, try exercising it at least twice a day to allow it to burn off extra energy and be more calm in general. Maybe your pet snaps when another dog approaches him while he’s chewing on a bone or eating his food. However, the above signs could also indicate fear or anxiety. Dogs have a lot of energy build up inside them, and without expressing it, it could result in combative behavior. Exercise more often. How to Calm an Aggressive Dog. Situation #1: My dog is aggressive toward strangers She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998. Consult your vet for recommendations for enrolling your dog in a socialization class. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. If he jumps on you, gently move him away from you with the leash. Dog exercise burns the dog’s excess energy and helps maintain the dog’s healthy state of mind. Aggression in dogs is characterized by warning signs that can include: Of course, not all dogs show aggression. I have five year old Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix. What can I do? Have the individual slowly extend the back of their hand and offer it to your dog to smell. If you see signs that indicate the dog may bite, do not approach. Punishing your dog for aggressive behavior usually backfires and can escalate the aggression. Unfortunately, this assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. Remember, the calmer you are the calmer your dog will be. Take your dog to the park to let them burn off excess energy. Identifying what provokes your dog will help you determine the best approach to calming aggressive dogs. WHAT TO DO IF THREATENED BY AN AGGRESSIVE DOG. Avoid pulling back on the leash when pulling your dog away from other dogs. Keep in mind that it’s always a good idea to get the help of a certified dog behavior consultant, certified applied animal behaviorist, or veterinary behaviorist when working to tame an aggressive dog. These pheromones can help reduce anxiety in some dogs and are available in a few different forms. Ensuring your dog receives adequate physical exercise, and mental stimulation can further help reduce your dog’s aggression. 01. It’s time to draw up a plan that probably should involve your vet and possibly a dog behaviorist. It’s either things will become worse, or the aggression may slow down or stop dog aggression. You should distract the dog. Never use punishment as this could exacerbate the problem. You could take him to a private training session, as well. This ultrasonic hand-held training device emits a … Take notes with you and share your notes with the vet staff about your dog’s behavior. Exercise your dog . To learn how to deal with dogs who are aggressive toward people, keep reading! % of people told us that this article helped them. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. An aggressive dog is one that tends to growl, snap, bite and otherwise dominate other dogs, people and maybe even you. Avoid unnecessary exposure to triggers. By always paying close attention to your dog’s body posture, you can’t get surprised by sudden aggressive outbursts. https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-behavior/aggression/understanding-aggression, https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/training/reasons-aggression-dogs, http://www.petexpertise.com/dog-muzzle-guide.html, https://www.caninejournal.com/gentle-leader-vs-easy-walk-harness/, http://shibashake.com/dog/dog-to-dog-aggression, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. You should also consider using equipment such as a muzzle to assure that your dog will not hurt another person or dog when it becomes aggressive all of a sudden. The common notion is that canine aggression is a large dog breed or “dangerous” breed issue. Many dogs that demonstrate aggressive behavior benefit from extensive exercise regimens. Try using a blockade, like a car or tree, when another dog is approaching. Instead, pull your dog to the side and calmly lead them away. Make sure that there are no distractions in the time out place. If all the efforts, including those of your veterinarian and an animal professional, do not help resolve your dog’s aggressiveness rehoming your dog may be the best option for you and your pet. My dog is aggressive at home. However, beware, often a dominant aggressive dog will give no sign before biting. Ask the individual to slowly back away and re-approach once your dog has calmed down. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Calm-an-Aggressive-Dog-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Calm-an-Aggressive-Dog-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Calm-an-Aggressive-Dog-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid4971741-v4-728px-Calm-an-Aggressive-Dog-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"