Can aggression be trained out of a dog?

We set our dog up to succeed rather than lash out. We decide what we want our dogs to do instead of bark, lunge, and bite. And, maybe most importantly, we help our dog feel differently about his world and the people and other animals in it. When we change our focus in this way, we naturally shift from confrontation to collaboration. We start working with our dog rather than working on him. That shift leads us away from punishment and squarely toward positive reinforcement dog training. Dogs who behave aggressively are under pressure. They are emotional. The barking, lunging, and biting is about making that person or other animal go away or stop. Often this means training with the person or other animal farther away. Sometimes we start in a setting in which there are no stressors at all. Regardless, create an environment where your dog can get it right over and over. Here’s an example of how we train a new behavior to replace an old aggressive behavior pattern. Because we are using happy talk, food, and movement we are actually influencing our dog’s emotions. Specifically, we are affecting a change in how he feels about the thing that was scaring him or making him angry. The aggression does stop. That offensive behavior pattern gets replaced with one that is calmer and functionally better for the dog and the people involved. More importantly, we are addressing the underlying emotions that fuel the aggressive behavior. Our dog learns to relax a bit around the thing that was scaring him or making him angry. Over time this can lead to what we call behavioral flexibility, the ability to take on other experiences with less rigidity.

For most dogs exhibiting aggression, there is hope for at least some behavior change when an experienced professional dog behavior consultant assists you with your dog. However, it must be noted that not all aggressive dogs can be helped. If a dog is genetically predisposed to being aggressive or there is an untreatable medical condition present, then the aggression may not change to the point that the owner can safely live with the dog. The key is to catch the aggression early and work on it consistently. The longer the aggression goes unchecked, the harder it will be to change. Training an aggressive dog is possible in most cases but it will take time, patience, and consistency on your part. For most dogs, there is hope for at least some behavior change when an experienced professional dog behavior consultant is assisting you with your dog. Once the root cause is ascertained, we can develop a behavior modification and training plan using positive reinforcement-based methods to help change the dog's behavior.

TRUE aggression cannot be FIXED, it can be CONTROLLED. Controlling your dog’s aggression is NOT the Same as Fixing it. True dog aggression can’t be fixed, but by controlling your dog’s aggression the overall scenario can be FIXED. If you focus your attention on fixing your dog’s aggressive temperament you may be severely downplaying the role genetics play in canines. Focus on what you’d like to accomplish with your dog rather than the aggression. When it comes to dog aggression, your main goal is to have your dog be obedient to you which requires your presence. I can tell you first hand that when a dog trainer talks about “fixing aggression” we are usually referring to management and control.

We have tried to have him associate people with pleasant things but he just wont stop growling and being very defensive. He was about 5 months old and he was a very submissive dog. Over the next few months he gained confidence to enjoy walks, but gradually became very aggressive towards other animals and people outside immediate family. He cannot be trusted and left out with anyone outside previously mentioned people, and has actively sought out friends and family members we had at house to try and bite. Im no expert but clearly he wasnt socialized enough when a puppy and had issues to begin with. All we have been able to do is crate him, lock him in basement or leave him in our yard while people are over, but he will still bark or whine. Friends and family are pretty unwilling to be by him due to his large size and intimidating behavior. Ive tried to contact multiple dog trainers in my area but they will not work with him.

Aggression in dogs, whether it be toward a dog's owner or other dogs, is a serious behavior that should be adjusted with the help of a professional dog trainer. Of course you can work on basic training in your home, but serious effort will need to be taken to first identify what in your dog's environment makes them aggressive and then take steps to change your pup's behavior. The first step to training an aggressive dog is to identify who they are aggressive toward. Once you're aware of what causes your dog's aggression and to whom he is aggressive, it's time to work one-on-one with a professional dog trainer. Before you start any training, check with your vet to make sure your dog is healthy. A visit may help you identify any underlying health issues that may be causing your pet's demeanor. Never Ignore Aggression. If you notice aggression in a dog that you don't know, it is best to leave it alone. If these traits are being exhibited by your own dog it is necessary to ensure you find out why, so you can take steps to reduce their aggression.