The best way to learn how to stop a dog from being aggressive is to understand why it’s happening to begin with. In this post, we’ll cover:
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- 3 Common Misconceptions About Dog Aggression
- What Actually Causes a Dog to Become Aggressive
- Super Effective, Easy-to-Follow Dog Aggression Training
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Watch My Video: How to Stop a Dog from Being Aggressive
In this video, we discuss three things people commonly think about what actually causes dog aggression, why they’re false, and what actually causes dog aggression.
3 Common Misconceptions About Dog Aggression
Many people just take common statements people make about dog aggression as truth, when in fact, it’s really more complicated than what most people think. I used to do that too, until I learned more about what actually makes dogs aggressive. Three of the most common misconceptions people have about dog aggression are:
1. Aggressive dogs are mostly males
2. Large dogs are the most aggressive
3. Certain breeds are more aggressive
These statements are just not true. Professional Dog Trainer and Behavioral Specialist, Doggy Dan has worked with thousands of different types of dogs. Check out his free tutorial, 3 Common Misconceptions About Dog Aggression, where Doggy Dan explains exactly why these statements are false.
What Actually Causes Dog Aggression?
First, you should be aware that there is a physiological process that can occur in dogs that goes all the way back to their primal, “fight or flight” instincts.
It can cause a whole load of chemicals to be released in their bodies, such as cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones send your dog into a sort of “overdrive” state where they cannot control their emotions.
Watch this video where Professional Dog Trainer and Behavioral Specialist, Doggy Dan, discusses why dogs become aggressive:
What Makes a Dog Aggressive?
I think it’s important for you to have a complete understanding of what is happening in your dog’s brain when he becomes aggressive so you’ll be more capable of solving it. I was shocked when I first heard Doggy Dan explain this. And the biggest thing I took from Doggy Dan’s explanation was that your dog literally cannot help it. They can’t fight what happening in their brain.
Once you understand this, you can take actual steps to help your dog learn how to reactive (and think) differently about certain situations.
We’ll be discussing the solutions in this article.
But first, let’s discuss the three biggest reasons why dogs become aggressive:
1. Lack of Guidance. Dogs need to be taught what sort of behavior is acceptable and what is not going to be tolerated. Ideally, this training should happen when the dog is a puppy, and continue throughout the dog’s life. However, this sort of training can still be implemented in adult dogs.
The most important factor in providing guidance for your dog is to make sure they know that you are in charge. If they see you as “the pack leader,” they will instinctively follow your guidance on how to behave.
2. Lack of Boundaries. Just like children, dogs need boundaries. If they don’t have boundaries, they can become overwhelmed, anxious and over-excited, and behavioral issues and aggression are often the result.
It’s also important to establish boundaries to teach your dog that you are the leader and the provider.
Again, once your dog sees you in this way, he’ll follow your lead, take direction from you, and he won’t feel like he has to be the one in control.
3. Lack of Exercise or Stimulation. Pent up energy or a lack of stimulation can cause a dog to become aggressive. They need an outlet to release tension so their energy doesn’t build up and cause them to misbehave or become aggressive.
Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise – at least 30 minutes a day.
What to Do About an Aggressive Dog
The best way to begin fixing your dog’s aggressive behavior is to apply effective dog training techniques. Doggy Dan has developed a step-by-step dog training program called, The Dog Calming Code, specifically made to stop dog aggression.
According to Doggy Dan, if you want to understand how to stop a dog from being aggressive, you must first realize that your dog is making his own decisions because he has not received proper guidance, he doesn’t understand his boundaries, or he’s trying to release pent-up energy (or all three!)
Check out Doggy Dan’s program for step-by-step instructions on how to solve this. You can read my full review of The Dog Calming Code here.
You can also read my post, Training to Stop Dog Aggression, which further explains how The Dog Calming Code helps with aggression.
Bottom Line on How to Stop Dog Aggression: You Have to Be the Pack Leader
The most important concept to grasp is that your dog must look to you as the pack leader. You need to convince him that you are the decision maker, so he’ll know he doesn’t have to be.
Only then can he relax and not become aggressive toward you, other people, or other dogs.
Once you have convinced your dog that you are the pack leader, you’ll soon see he’ll start to take notice of how you are behaving. Instead of just suddenly becoming aggressive, he won’t just act – he’ll look to see how YOU are acting, then copy you. Remember, dogs are pack animals. They follow the pack leader.
I strongly recommend visiting Doggy Dan’s training specifically about dog aggression and how to become the pack leader.
For a more deep dive into everything you need to know about dog aggression, check out my Ultimate Guide to Understanding & Managing Dog Aggression.
For More Help With Dog Aggression
- What is Dog Aggression? Dog Behaviorist Explains
- Why Your Dog Thinks Aggression is Necessary
- Why is My Dog Suddenly Aggressive?
- Dog Aggressive Toward Other Dogs?
- Dog Aggressive Toward People?
- Dog Aggression Towards Owner
- Dog Aggression Toward Children: A Parent's Guide
- Fear Aggression Dog Training
- Dog Food Aggression Training
- Stop Dogs Fighting: 7 Ways to Stop It and How to Prevent It
- What to Do (and NOT Do) if an Aggressive Dog Approaches You
- Why Do Dogs Growl? When It's Normal and When It's NOT
- Common Misconceptions About Dog Aggression
- Dangerous Dog Behavior: Solving Serious Aggression
I Hope This Helped!
Remember that dogs are highly intelligent animals, and however they are behaving, whatever they are doing, however they are reacting, it’s for a reason that makes sense in their head.
I believe it’s our job as pet owners to understand why our pets do what they do, so that we can figure out how to solve it.
I hope this post has helped you begin to understand why dogs become aggressive, why it’s important for you to relieve your dog from being the pack leader, and how learning dog calming techniques and pack leader training can help.
If you have a puppy who’s behaving aggressively, check out my post, How to Stop a Puppy from Being Aggressive (includes video).
Please feel free to comment below with questions or additional suggestions to help with dog aggression.
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Thank you for visiting my website. Dealing with dog aggression can be very stressful. I hope this helped!
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