| Dominant Aggression |
| Dominant Aggressive dogs are like the big bully. There much too confident. They want to be Top Dog, the leader, especially in their families. The Dominant Aggressive dog will try to bully the person who isn't asertive enough with him/her the most. They usually only have one or two people in the familly who actually have "control" over the dog. These types of dogs will try to bite, snap at, bark, or growl to try to get the point across that "Their Top Dog". Dominant aggressive dogs usually try to look as big and tall, and tough as possible. He will raise his hackles (hair along his spine) in a tempt to look larger, and/or stand sideways to try to block your path. His tail will raise, a long with his ears, and he will become tense. Signs of Dominant Aggressive dogs can start as early as three months. Male dogs are more common to be Dominant aggressive, but it accurs in females too. HE may become defensive, or aggressive when being groomed, while playing, or while he's rolled over on his back. (A dog on his/her back is a sign of dominance, so a Dominant aggressive dog will NOT want to be in the possision.) He may also become defensive when you try to move him off the sofa, or any other place he's lying. A dog may become defencive if you threaten him in any way (hitting, pointing, yelling ect.). Dominant aggressive is almost always inherited. Another way a dog becomes Dominant aggressive is if he's not proberlly sociolized when he's a puppy, and/or isn't "put in his place". Dominant aggression can be prevented if you socialize your puppy lots when you first get him, and when playing, mack sure you show your pup who's boss. By rolling him/her over on his back while playing helps, and when playing Tug (which I advise you don't because it's a cause of aggression), make SURE you win. Remove the rope (or what ever your playing tug with) from your puppies mouth when done playing. This also helps for training the "Drop it" command at an early stage. |