Ways to stop dog aggression towards other dogs
Aggression is an emotion that can cause severe harm to others if left unchecked. An aggressive dog can be very dangerous for the environment and for itself.
The best way to deal with this is by changing the dog’s energy. This can be done with Emotional Freedom Techniques and other Energy Psychology methods.
In the first part of this article series, you’ll get some insights into the reasons for dog aggression and learn how to stop aggressive behavior in a traditional way.
A certain amount of aggression between dogs is quite normal, here’s why:
Dogs are pack animals and each has its own status within its pack. In their natural environment, dogs live in a strict pecking order with the alpha female and alpha male leading the pack. It is only the alpha pair that produces offspring, so there is a certain amount of competitive aggression between the males as each of them wants to be the best dog.
Domesticated dogs still have a need to know their place in the pecking order and some want to increase their status so that they can be more attractive to female dogs. At the same time, they want other competitors to get out of the way to make sure it’s their genes that get passed on. This type of territorial aggression towards other dogs can increase in the presence of a female canine.
If your dog shows severe territorial aggression towards other dogs, this may be due to excess testosterone, which is why many vets suggest that you neuter your male dog. In fact, this can reduce his aggressive behavior as long as it is caused by hormones.
Territorial aggression is also quite common in female dogs. They want the other dog to get out of the way so they have enough food for her puppies.
While aggression between male dogs is usually a way of displaying strength and power, aggression between female dogs has a more serious undertone and purpose. A female dog will want to get her competitor out of the way to have enough food for her puppies, so a fight between female dogs can be much more serious than a fight between two males.
Are there other reasons for a dog to be aggressive towards other dogs?
Another reason for canine aggression is fear. Your dog may have had an unpleasant or even traumatic experience with another dog and you want to make sure this doesn’t happen again. For him or her, the best way to do this may be a preemptive attack on the other dog.
If you know this is the case for your dog, you need to make sure you protect him from further ambushes from other dogs, and at the same time protect other dogs from being ambushed by yours.
You can help your dog overcome his fear-based aggression by arranging to meet some friendly, good-tempered dogs that you can get to know and like.
Learned aggression arises when a young dog sees his older friend attack or threaten another dog. This is one of the dangers if he decides to get a second dog when his dog is aggressive. In the end, you may have duplicated your problem. In pack animals, aggressive behavior is contagious, so be sure to take the aggressive dog out alone so you don’t teach others the same bad behavior.
Aggressive behavior towards other dogs can be a consequence of incorrect training. This means that you can accidentally train your dog to be aggressive, not only towards other dogs but towards humans as well.
Since your dog learns by being rewarded for his actions, the scenario for teaching aggressive behavior is this:
- your dog growls or barks at another dog
- you speak to him in a soft and soothing voice
- your dog understands this as praise and shows more behavior
- over time your dog has learned to be aggressive because he feels rewarded by you
The point is to never praise your dog for being aggressive unless you want to train him to be aggressive on command. Don’t speak in a soft, gentle voice, but say “NO” clearly so he knows you don’t want him to behave this way.
Don’t punish your dog either, as he will associate the punishment with other dogs, which will make things worse.
When your dog gets startled when he meets another dog on a walk, hold on to his leash and quickly pass the other dog. Pay no attention to your dogs barking and growling, just walk around like it’s not happening. If you walk more slowly or even stop, your dog is likely to get worse because he has more time to do it. Walking quickly takes his attention away from the other dog and onto you. That way, the threatening situation will soon be over and you can both relax.
Handling a dog that tends to be aggressive towards other dogs requires some commitment on your part. You have to make sure that he can’t hurt others.
Keeping him on a leash in places with other dogs is very important.
If he’s really aggressive, you’ll have to gag him.
You may need to warn other dog owners to keep their distance and put their own dog on a leash when they approach.
The most important thing of all is to be assertive and maintain your authority over your dog. He must know that you are the boss and that he must ask you for guidance, no matter where or when.
