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Dealing With Aggressive Dog Behavior In Small Breeds
As funny as it sounds, many small dogs really do suffer from insecurity because of their size. If you notice aggressive dog behavior only when people are standing or walking around, chances are, the dog is afraid of being stepped or sat on. Be careful not to pick up or coddle the dog when it starts barking at people walking past; it may see that as a reward, and instead of calming down, will just become even more obnoxious. Instead, remove the dog from the area while people are moving around and ignore the barking. Allow the dog back into the room only when it has quieted and everyone is seated. Another common reason small dogs tend to bite is because they've been mistreated by a previous owner. This is especially true of dogs that are naturally loud and "yappy." Again, the best option is to remove the dog from the area and ignore all attempts to get your attention until the dog is calm. Provide a quiet, safe area from which the dog can observe you and your guests until it decides that no one is a threat. Charging is an aggressive dog behavior that must not be tolerated for any reason. Small dogs will charge at strangers, or even close family members, to show their dominance. Never allow a dog to dominate a human! Deal with charging swiftly and firmly; keep a spray bottle of water near the door and any other area where charging is likely, and use it. Spray the dog directly in the face and tell it, "no," in a loud, clear voice. The water will startle the dog, and it will soon learn that charging is unacceptable. If this method seems cruel, remember that small dogs can be killed by a single kick from a frightened child. While mouthing may be playful in some dogs, and is usually harmless, dogs need to learn that using their teeth on a human is wrong. Mouthing can sometimes lead to accidental biting, especially when small children are playing with the dog, so all mouthing, nipping, and biting must be discouraged. If licking is acceptable in your household, you can encourage licking instead of biting by putting bacon grease, butter, or salad dressing on your hands. Allow the dog to lick it off, but move away and say, "no," the second the 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. For dogs who are truly out of control, professional training is the next step. A good trainer will work with you and your dog to determine the causes of the aggression, and will then work step by step to train your dog to behave. As a last resort, however, some dogs may need daily medication to control their behavior. If training doesn't help, talk to your vet about prescribing a mild sedative, and invest in a good kennel to keep your guests safe. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Are you looking for help with aggressive dog behavior? Be sure to visit my site for tips on how to stop dog aggression. |
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