Dealing With Aggressive Dog Behavior In Small Breeds
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Large breeds of dogs get a bum rap for being aggressive, violent animals, but in many cases, it's small breed dogs that in fact bite. Smaller dogs' reputation as adoring, cuddly, cute companions might be deserved, but a poorly handled small dog is often more unsafe than a pit bull. Knowing the factors behind aggressive dog behavior can help owners reduce the chances of their dog hurting someone and help to eliminate the aggression altogether.
As funny as it might sound, quite a few small dogs actually do suffer from insecurity as a consequence of their size. In the event you observe aggressive dog behavior only if people are standing or walking around, chances are, your dog is frightened of getting stepped or sat on. Be very careful to not pick up or coddle the dog when it begins barking at people walking past; it could possibly identify that as a reward, and rather than calming down, will just come to be even more obnoxious. Instead, remove the dog from the area while individuals are moving around and ignore the barking. Permit the dog back into the area only when it has quieted down and everyone is seated.
Another basic reason small dogs have a tendency to bite is simply because they've been mistreated by a prior owner. This is particularly true of dogs which are normally loud and "yappy." Once again, the best option will be to take the dog from the area and pay no attention to any attempts to get your attention until finally the dog is calm. Provide a quiet, safe place where your dog can watch you and your guests until finally it decides that nobody is a threat.
Charging is an aggressive dog behavior that must never be tolerated for any reason. Smaller dogs will charge at strangers, and even close members of the family, to show their dominance. Under no circumstances permit a dog to dominate a human! Take care of charging swiftly and firmly; always keep a spray bottle of water near the door and any other area in which charging is very likely, and use it. Spray the dog directly in the face and tell him, "no," using a loud, clear voice. Water will surprise your dog, and it will quickly find out that charging is inappropriate. If this method seems cruel, keep in mind that small dogs could be killed with a single kick from a terrified child.
Though mouthing could be playful in certain dogs, and is generally harmless, dogs need to learn that using their teeth on a human is completely wrong. Mouthing can in some cases result in accidental biting, particularly when smaller kids are playing with the dog, so all mouthing, nipping, and biting need to be discouraged. If licking is satisfactory in your household, you could encourage licking instead of biting by putting butter, bacon grease, or salad dressing on your hands. Allow your dog to lick it off, but move away and say, "no," the second your dog attempts to nip or mouth you. Eventually, the dog will learn that biting results in losing a treat, and will quit trying to bite.
With dogs that are really out of control, skilled training will be the next step. An effective trainer will work with you and your dog to figure out the causes of the aggression, and can then work step by step to train your dog to behave. As a final resort, however, some dogs could require daily medication to manage their behavior. If training doesn't help, talk to the vet about prescribing a mild sedative, and invest in a good kennel to help keep your guests safe.
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