Large breeds of dogs get a bum rap for being aggressive, violent animals, but in quite a few instances, it is really small breed dogs that really bite. Small dogs’ reputation as adoring, cuddly, cute companions may be warranted, however a poorly handled small dog is often a lot more unsafe than a pit bull. Comprehending the factors behind aggressive dog behavior can help owners minimize the chances of their dog hurting another person and help to eliminate the aggression altogether.
As funny as it sounds, lots of smaller dogs actually do suffer from insecurity due to their size. If you see aggressive dog behavior only when people are standing or walking around, chances are, the dog is afraid of being stepped or sat on. Be very careful not to pick up or coddle the dog when it begins barking at other people walking by; it could identify that as a reward, and instead of calming down, will simply come to be even more annoying. Instead, remove your dog from the area while people are moving around and pay no attention to the barking. Permit the dog back into the room only after it has quieted and everyone is sitting down.
One more typical reason smaller dogs tend to bite is because they have been mistreated by a prior owner. That is especially true of dogs which are normally loud and “yappy.” Once again, the most effective alternative is to remove the dog out of the area and ignore any attempts to get your attention until the dog is calm. Provide a quiet, safe area from which your dog can observe you and your guests until it decides that no one is really a threat.
Charging is actually an aggressive dog behavior that should not be tolerated for any kind of reason. Smaller dogs will often charge at strangers, and even close members of the family, to display their dominance. Under no circumstances allow a dog to dominate a human! Deal with charging swiftly and firmly; always keep a spray bottle of water near the door and any other area where charging is likely, and employ it. Spray the dog directly in the face and tell him, “no,” using a loud, clear voice. Water will surprise the dog, and it will quickly understand that charging is unacceptable. In the event that this method seems harsh, bear in mind that smaller dogs could be killed with a single kick by a frightened child.
Even though mouthing may be playful in certain dogs, and is usually harmless, dogs need to find out that employing their teeth on a human is wrong. Mouthing can in some cases cause unintentional biting, especially when smaller kids are playing with the dog, so all mouthing, nipping, and biting have to be discouraged. If licking is okay in your household, you could encourage licking rather than biting by putting butter, bacon grease, or salad dressing on your hands. Allow your dog to lick it off, yet move away and say, “no,” if your dog attempts to nip or mouth you. Eventually, the dog will learn that biting results in losing a treat, and will stop trying to bite.
With dogs who are truly out of control, skilled training is the next step. A good trainer will work with you and your dog to identify the causes for the aggression, and can then work one step at a time to train your pet to behave. As a final resort, however, a few dogs could need regular medication to control their behavior. In the event that training does not help, talk to the vet about prescribing a mild sedative, and purchase a good kennel to help keep your guests safe.
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