We see biting as a display of aggression but we sometimes overlook that dogs that bark and lunge at people are also displaying aggression. Aggressive behaviour has to be dealt with immediately before is escalates into a very serious situation.  Possible injury to a person or another dog or animal can be a reality that we cannot overlook.

The number one solution to a dog’s aggressive behaviour is training.  Unfortunately simple obedience training is not going to be that effective when dealing with aggressive behaviour.

Normally aggressive dogs are not allowed into normal obedience and training schools for the simple fact of protecting the other participants in the class. You are going to have to find a trainer who specializes in aggressive dogs. Your vet may be able to help you with this or you can check out the yellow pages.

Although the proper training may be expensive and not that easy or simple, you have to do what you can to resolve your dog’s aggression.

Before you sign up check out what techniques are being used to deal with the aggressive dog. Some outdated methods can actually be harmful to your dog so be sure to do your research. Ask the potential trainer if you can watch his training methods. At the end of the day what you want is for your dog to stop attacking. You don’t want to be constantly worried whether or not your “companion” is going to bite you, someone else, or another animal.

Remember also that some states or provinces have laws in effective that deal very harshly with an aggressive dog.

In Ontario Canada right now they have Bill 132 commonly referred to as the Pit Bull ban. This is very scary legislation.

This legislation bans pitbulls and other bull terrier types and the onus is on the owner to prove their dog is not a pitbull.

This legislation allows your dog if seized to be put down, given to someone else that lives where the ban is not in place, or give your dog to a laboratory for research.

This legislation does not define what a bite is, what an attack is or what menacing behaviour is. (Hope you get along with your neighbour).

I strongly believe that we should have some protection from aggressive dogs but to ban specific breeds is not the way to do it. To follow their trend of thought would be to say that if we found one white male politician that had not kept his campaign promises then we should not ever allow any white males to hold politic office since they all are not trustworthy. For some reason I can’t see something like that even being considered.

Remember when you get a dog they are a lifetime commitment. Training is vital for them and you and will allow you to establish that bond that really you both desire.

Remember the single greatest cause of death in dogs under one year of age is not Parvo, it’s not Distemper, it is lack of obedience training and 93% of training and behaviour problems can be solved using a series of simple dog training techniques.

Until next time

Maureen Brownell