Dogs and Aggression Biting

Some people think if a dog bites one time, that it will bite again and again. This is not necessarily true. Everything depends on the situation and why the dog bit. If your dog bites someone, it should let the owner that his dog is in need of immediate training modification to reduce his aggressive tendencies. In order to do that, you must first find out the reason the dog bit.

Biting is a natural defense mechanism with dogs. They bite for obvious reason such as hunting and killing their meals. Dogs also bite as a way of communicating with their fellow animals to establish rank and position. It has taken many years for the canine to become domesticated to live in human society. However, a large percentage of domestic dogs continue to bite humans, and aggression is the number one reason why dogs are euthanized. Most often, this kind of drastic decision can be reduced by educating owners and working with them to teach their dog to reduce aggression.

It is thought that genetic factors may play a role in whether or not a dog may bite. Some breeds are thought of as guard dogs and so aggression is appreciated. Many breeds have an instinct for chasing moving objects which can escalate in to a predatory type situation. Socialization is an important factor from the time your pet is a small puppy to adult-hood because fear of others is a major cause of aggression.

Preventing aggression from the puppies youngest years means socialization and consistent training. Most puppies love to nip at your hands or body parts. As a puppy, no damage is usually done by this playful exchange. But if it allowed to continute, when the puppy becomes an adult they play can turn in to something else. Play biting and rough housing should not be allowed from day one. Using punishment as a means of teaching this will not work. Positive reinforcement should be associated with non-aggressive behavior. This is the most effective form of training.

It is Important to remember that dogs bite out of fear or protectiveness, so it is important to properly socialize your pet so that they trust people. Expose them to as many environments and situations as possible so as to make them familiar with everything around them. This keeps the calm and happy. Lots of praise and healthy treats can be given while in these new situations to let them know that all is well. Praise them when a stranger approaches and offer a treat as the stranger passes and your pet remains seated and quiet. The stranger could even offer them a treat so that the dog associates strangers with good things.

There are many resources you can turn to that will help you teach your dog to be calm around strangers. Also, any sudden or isolated biting incidents could be related to a medical condition, so a trip to the Veterinarian should rule out that possibility first.

If you have any questions on Pet Training or Posh Pampered Pets, please call 936-520-2903. Our home office is located in Waller, Texas, with warehouses located throughout the United States such as Detroit Michigan (MI), Indianapolis Indiana (IN), Jacksonville Florida (FL), San Francisco California (CA), , Kansas City MO, Miami, Florida (FL), Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (NC), Washington DC, Los Angeles, California (CA), Fayetteville, Arkansas ( AR), San Francisco California (CA), Columbus Ohio (OH).

This article was written by Janine Carter, owner of Posh Pampered Pets, http://www.poshpamperedpets.com.