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Ideally, all cases of aggression should be seen in person by a qualified, experienced behaviourist - each case needs to be treated individually, especially where aggressive behaviour is concerned, and so this is not to be considered a comprehensive guide to managing aggression. However, a few simple rules apply:
- If a dog is properly raised, and managed carefully around puberty, there should be no issues around who is the dominant one in the relationship. However, in some circumstances aggression problems can still arise and need to be tackled as soon as possible.
- The dog is behaving completely naturally for a dog - he doesn't understand that what he is doing is undesirable. He is not a "nasty" or "bad" dog, just a misguided one.
- Try to avoid giving the dog any opportunity to get it wrong. For example, if he tries to bite people as they enter the house, simply arrange for him to be in another area when they come in. Look at each cirumstance, and work out a way for him to get it right every time.
- Reward, reward, reward! Even the slightest success must be pointed out to him as the right thing to do. If last week he attacked your Auntie Nellie, but this week he just looked at her, throw him a party! The more positive experiences he has, the more positive he will feel towards the situation.
- And on that note, DO NOT physically punish him or attempt to intimidate him. Not only does this create a negative experience which damages the dog-owner bond, it could also trigger an aggressive outburst. The only form of punishment that can be used in this case is negative punishment - the removing of something he finds desirable - but even this should be carefully considered, as aggression may arise if the dog perceives you as taking something that is rightfully his.
As you can see, the basic principles of training still apply. Positive reinforcement and negative punishment are a powerfully effective team when used properly, but when issues of safety are concerned, should only be attempted by experienced people. If in doubt, call in your friendly neighbourhood behaviourist!
2 comments:
Dear Mismorphic, what do you recommend for a terrier who is fiercely aggressive towards other dogs and will lunge to attack them on lead or run accross a field to them. I strongly suspect fear aggression as she shows fearful behaviour and body language. I have tried counterconditioning with chicken treats and others but the stress level is far too much for her to take it. What you reckon?! (or do you just want her lol).x
I think some habituation work might be needed in this case.
An ideal scenario would be to find a training group that work in a large open space, and would allow you to train not with them, but near them.
Keep her on an extending lead, and start by training her at a distance from the other dogs that she doesn't find stressful. Make the training simple for her, so she earns lots of rewards, but interesting enough that it holds her attention. Over time (which in the case of an older dog might be weeks or even months) gradually decrease the distance between yourself and the other dogs, until she is working relatively calmly at a reasonably close distance. Then maybe introduce some walks with the strange dogs (on leash still, for damage limitation!), so her attention is allowed to move from you and towards the dogs that she doesn't know yet, but has got used to being near.
It's all about late-stage socialisation, which isn't easy but is possible. Take it really really steadily, and don't push her beyond her comfort zone, and she will improve. This is a hybrid of the techniques used by Cath Phillips and Victoria Stilwell - they should know!
Oh, and no thanks - she's lovely, but she looks like a mop and I couldn't be doing with all that coat lol x
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