No matter what breed of dog you have, Chihuahua, Cocker Spaniel, Bulldog, there is a chance that any of them can have an aggressive side. Besides, like us humans, dogs have their own, unique personalities and there can be a range of factors that point towards why it is behaving aggressively. Here are some steps to take following a diagnosis of aggressive behavior in a dog:
Seek Help
There is no point in trying to deal with your aggressive dog alone because you will get frustrated and might be putting others at risk, the longer you leave your dog without treatment. The first step is to call a veterinarian who can diagnose the cause of the dog’s aggressive behavior, which can range from painful injuries to neurological problems. Treatment for a medical condition linking to your dog’s aggression will likely improve its behavior.
If there hasn’t been any medical condition detected by a vet, you must next call in the help of a professional dog trainer or behavioral therapist. Like the vet, they will be able to uncover what is at the root of the dog’s aggression and help to alleviate its behavioral problems.
Make A Plan
Your professional dog trainer/therapist will be able to help you determine the best course of action to take for your aggressive dog and in most cases the cure might be to implement positive reinforcement. This is when the dog is rewarded for having not growled, barked, or launched towards a stranger and after time, results in planting a message in its brain that behaving equals treats.
If, however, the dog’s aggression is stimulated by objects or people in your life that you cannot escape from, then it might be that the professional dog trainer/therapist will recommend you handing it over to new pet parents.
Avoid Punishment
Punishing the dog can have bitter consequences and although you may be frustrated with its aggressive behavior, retaliating will only make the problem worse as the dog tries to defend itself.
Calling in medical and behavioral professionals is a much better alternative and can reduce the chances of attack on either you or anyone else the dog happens to come into contact with. It is also much better to have proof of making attempts to cure the dog’s aggressive behavior should it ever leave your sight and harm someone. This is especially important when an attorney such as those specializing in dog attacks, like at Horst Shewmaker, approaches the owner to seek whether the dog has “Vicious Propensities”.
Hopefully, the steps to dealing with an aggressive dog are much clearer and give you a few options to consider upon recognizing the first signs of aggression. It is important to consider all steps, however, make sure that if you only do one thing, you seek help. The problem will not go away by itself and might cause you emotional and financial damage further down the line if you try and go it alone.
