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Dog TrainingSUPPLIES
- Your dog
- A friend or family member who owns a calm, trained dog
- Correction collar
- Short dog leash
- Dog treats
Overview
If you own a dog, you may know the problems that can arise when your dog is not socially receptive to other dogs. Perhaps you have witnessed this from your dog, or perhaps other dogs have barked at or even attacked your dog. This most likely happens because the dog showing aggression is either not very social in nature or is protecting his territory or owner. Whether your dog merely barks at other dogs or shows extremely dangerous behavior, you can train him to like other dogs.
Step 1
Invite friends or family members who have dogs to come over for a training visit. Conduct these sessions with people you trust and with well behaved dogs. If you have more than one animal that shows aggression toward other animals, keep their training sessions separate, for both convenience and safety's sake.
Step 2
Spend a little one-on-one time with your dog before you begin training with the other dogs. This will give him a chance to work off extra energy and help him become more focused and less anxious.
Step 3
Attempt to put your dog into a non-aggressive, submissive and calm state of mind. If you are not able to do this easily, use a short leash attached to a correction collar. The collar will enable you to control your dog more easily.
Step 4
Walk your dog to a partially congested area along with your training partner and her dog. Ask your dog to sit. Once he is in the sitting position, pull the leash taught so that he can't break away from you and will know that he is to remain in this position. Pull the leash tightly enough to control the dog without pulling down on his head. The dog's head should be level, and she should not be looking either up or down.
Step 5
Have your friend and his dog walk into your dog's field of vision. The other dog should be no closer to your animal than 10 feet. Ask the other person to walk slowly, so that your dog can have a good, long look at the other dog; this also allows the dog time to become anxious and lets you gauge his reaction. Once the dog starts exhibiting anxious behavior, give the leash a firm, quick tug and a negative command. Try using "stop," "no" or a simple "shhhhh" as your command.
Step 6
Watch for your dog to regain composure. The minute your dog appears calm and stays in a submissive state, reinforce the behavior by giving him a treat and praise.
Step 7
Repeat this process by asking your friend to parade his dog past your dog several times. Try this process using different dogs, so that your dog will realize that he should react the same way with all of them. Repeat both the corrective and the positive commands to reinforce good behavior to your dog.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : Always remain calm when instructing your animal; if you are anxious, your dog will be as well.
- WARNING : Aggression toward other dogs will not disappear overnight. You may need to repeat this process several times before your dog reacts the way you wish him to.
