How to Train an Aggressive Dog
Fortunately, there is a way out of this dilemma. If your dog attacks other dogs, or just really doesn’t like other dogs, the good news is that new dog training techniques are being developed that can help you change your dog’s association and aggressive response to other dogs. Like McCue, who opted to take Wurley to “Growl” classes, you may find these training remedies can improve your dog’s manners so that you can feel comfortable handling him in public again.
Although the techniques themselves may be new, Jean Donaldson, author of Culture Clash and founder/principal instructor for the Academy for Dog Trainers, says that they are solidly grounded in behavioral science theory and the “laws of learning.” Though different trainers design their own classes differently, in general, “Growl” classes are geared to teach dogs to associate other dogs with positive things, and to teach dogs that good behavior in the presence of other dogs will be rewarded.
The first method commonly used in dog aggression training classes involves simple classical conditioning—the dog learns that the presence of another dog predicts a food treat, much as Pavlov’s dogs learned to associate the sound of a bell with dinner coming.
Operant conditioning is also used to teach the dog that his own actions can earn positive reinforcement in the form of treats, praise, and play. Both types of conditioning attempt to change the underlying emotional that leads to aggression in dogs, rather than just suppressing the outward symptoms with punishment.
This approach is a departure from the past; only a few years ago, most trainers recommended “correcting” (punishing) lunging and barking with a swift, hard leash “pop” (yank). Although this forceful method can interrupt an aggressive outburst, it seldom produces any lasting improvement—and it does nothing to change the way the dog will “feel” or react the next time he sees another dog.
In fact, this sort of punishment often exacerbates the problem by sending the wrong message to the dog; he learns that proximity to other dogs brings about punishment from the owner! This can stress him more and cause him to behave even more aggressively. Teaching him to anticipate scolding whenever another dog is nearby is not how to calm an aggressive dog (a dog who displays aggression at other dogs).
Punishment results in additional negative side effects. A dog who has been punished, just like a person who has been physically or verbally rebuked, usually experiences physiological stress reactions that make it harder for him to calm down. Also, when a dog growls at other dogs or shows signs of unease and is punished, the dog may simply learn to suppress his growling and visual signals of discomfort; the result can be a dog who suddenly strikes out with no warning.
These are some of the reasons that behavior professionals like Dunbar and Donaldson now believe that it is absolutely necessary to eliminate all punishment and reprimands when dealing with a dog who is aggressive to other dogs
Encountering Other Dogs Outside Your Home
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1 Let dogs meet their own way. Whether you’ve trained your dog for years or have recently become an owner