How To Prevent Your Dog Being Aggressive Towards Other Dogs

November 5, 2008 by Richard Cross

How aggressive your dog is towards others can depend on many things including breed, situation and upbringing. It’s always important to remember that while dogs are domesticated they were originally pack animals and as such there is always a chance of confrontation between them. Because of this, as a dog owner it is vital you know how to handle such situations should they ever arise.

First of all, if your dog does get aggressive towards another dog always stay calm. Dogs can sense the mood of their owner, and if you behave in an anxious manner this will only make your dog more aggressive. On the other hand, if you stay calm it is likely your dog will find it easier to relax.

If the dogs are still being aggressive towards one another and a fight does beak out never get between the dogs to try and break it up. In the heat of the moment the dogs may bite you as they are already in an aggressive frame of mind. Instead, try to distract your dog. Again it is important to stay calm as becoming outwardly anxious will only make things worse. Most dog fights don’t end up with any serious injuries, and you should never risk your own health to try and break it up.

If your dog has been aggressive towards another, remember not to pet or praise it to try and comfort. Dogs don’t think like humans and will assume that they are being praised for their aggression. Accidental positive reinforcement is one of the most common mistakes dog owners make when trying to prevent their dog being aggressive.

Above all, training your dog in the basic commands such as “sit”, “stay” and “come” can avoid almost all confrontations between dogs. Just remember to train your dog to respond to these commands even with distractions.