The safest and most effective way to treat an aggression problem is to implement behavior modification under the guidance of a qualified professional. Modifying a dog's behavior involves rewarding her for good behavior—so you'll likely be more successful if your dog enjoys praise, treats and toys.
The most common causes include conflict aggression, fear-based, defensive aggression, status related aggression, possessive aggression, food guarding aggression and redirected aggression.
Is training an aggressive dog possible? Yes. Aggression in dogs, whether it be toward a dog's owner or other dogs, is a serious behavior that should be adjusted with the help of a professional dog trainer.
In female dogs, the increasing levels of oestrogen can cause them to appear irritable or annoyed. In some young female pups, this can cause them to start resource guarding — anger or aggression to warn us away from their 'treasure'.
Many older dogs show increased aggression, anxiety, or compulsive behaviors. These behaviors are aggravated by body inflammation, sensory changes, and cognitive decline.
Potential Side Effects of Spaying Your Dog
A small number of studies report that unspayed female dogs who are aggressive to family members may become more aggressive after they're spayed. This could be caused by a decrease in estrogen and oxytocin, both of which may have calming, anti-anxiety effects.
The safest and most effective way to treat an aggression problem is to implement behavior modification under the guidance of a qualified professional. Modifying a dog's behavior involves rewarding her for good behavior—so you'll likely be more successful if your dog enjoys praise, treats and toys.
Don't Let the Dogs “Work It Out”
Years ago, people used to believe in letting dogs fight to work it out between them. This is dangerous for both dogs and for nearby people. Also, the dogs may never get along after such a fight.
Certain breeds seem more prone to suffer from rage syndrome, including Cocker and Springer Spaniels (hence the once-common terms – Spaniel rage, Cocker rage, and Springer rage), Bernese Mountain Dogs, St. Bernards, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, and Lhasa Apsos.
You should NOT punish a dog for biting. This method may also teach the dog not to give a warning prior to the bite. It certainly doesn't do anything to minimize the dog's stressors.
In one posture, hold the pup over your head, firmly supporting him with both hands and stare into his eyes (staring is a dominant behavior to the dog). Maintain this position until the pup has been still for 10 seconds. He must be still for that length of time or he hasn't submitted to you.
Most scientific studies indicate that it is very possible to rehabilitate a dog after they bite another dog or person.
Females may show less aggression towards dogs and humans after they're spayed. By getting your pet spayed, you can also eliminate the chances of hormonally driven defensive behavior. Female dogs will sometimes behave aggressively if other pets or people try approaching or touching their puppies.
The short answer is that no, your dog isn't likely to be less hyperactive after getting spayed or neutered. It won't change their personality much, if at all. Each dog has its own positive and negative social habits.
In neutered males and in females the sex does not necessarily make them prone to fight. All dogs have different dominancy levels within the same breed be they male or female. It's the level of dominancy which effects fighting, not the sex of the dog.
Don't yell at your puppy, tap your puppy on the nose or hold their mouth shut when they bite. This will only confuse your puppy and teach them not to trust you when you want to play. Don't antagonize your puppy to get him to bite for training or any other purpose.
Fear- or anxiety-related aggression may be confusing as the dog might display defensive or offensive body language. "Fear or anxiety related aggression is perhaps the most common form of aggression in dogs."
Types of dog aggression include:
Fear Aggression. Territorial Aggression. Idiopathic Aggression. Predatory Aggression.