Puppy Gal's Discussion of Aggressive Behavior

Are You Making Your Dog Aggressive???

Some people think it is funny to see a puppy of any breed get it's dander up, as Grandmother use to say, but it's such a horrible thing to do to any animal or human. It is sadistic and this type of treatment will make any bred of dog mean. This is exactly the treatment to which Pit Bulls are subjected to make them into killer dogs.

I have seen seemingly normal people laugh and think it was funny when their Chihuahua attacked the pant leg of a friend because the friend sat down in the dog's chair. Just think if this was a powerful big dog. I have also had people to tell me proudly about their "protective" Bully who acts very similar! I cringe, thinking of the possible damage any big dog could do to a person, especially one as tenacious as a Bulldog. If anyone who has one of my "babies" ever tells me anything of this nature, I will not be able to contain myself and you will not want to hear what I will say because I foresee the Bully having to be put down!!! When a Bulldog and many other breeds lock down on something in anger it does not let go!!

Never should you dog, regardless of breed be allowed to play with a toy, another animial or person to the extent that it growls ... growling is a display of aggressive behavior.

Really Spoiling Your Dog

If you start off holding and cuddling your puppy all the time, it will expect it and become more demanding with time, just like a child. I've had people to tell me they put their puppy to sleep by walking, rocking or giving it a hand upon which to chew. And after a few days they always picked it up when they heard first whimper to prevent a full- blown fit because they didn't want it stressed. Then these same people wondered why it nipped them when it was 4 months old and didn't get its way!!

When you treat your dog in this manner, you are sending the message that they rule the world and they will attempt to do so. You are not loving your dog; you are allowing it to go down the path to destruction, If you can't control it what are you going to do with it, even if another person takes it, it will not be long before they too give up and it will end up being "put down" at some point. Think about the harm it could cause others along the way. It doesn't matter if this dog is a Chihuahua or a Great Dane the logic still applies.

The Will to Dominate

All dogs of any breeds have a will to dominate, some not as strong as others, all will normally 'try you" between the ages of 6 months to a year. If you do not win this confrontation, your Bully will be of no value to you or itself. If you have properly trained your dog by firmly established a master and dog relationship, this may amount to no more than a look or a staring contest, but if you have not trained your dog you are going to have a problem!!! I write on this subject in hopes of liberating you from uncertainties that have kept you from being firm and forceful with your dog, of any breed.

Do NOT allow your puppy at 5 pounds to do what you do NOT want it to do at 50 pounds.

Training of your new puppy starts the moment you get it, but have realistic expectations.

Just like a "baby" it will not have the retention ability necessary to be trained as such, but it is time to establish a relationship of control. To this end by the time they are 4 months old every Puppy should be trained to obey at least five basic commands - "Come," "Sit," "Heel," "Stay" and "Lie Down." The reason is to ensure that you are the master and that it knows that it is to obey, this should be the basis of your relationship.

The best way to teach your dog obedience is to attend a dog obedience school and/or classes. There are also many good books on obedience training but often we do not put into practice what we read. Classes which both you and your puppy/dog attend are the very best method of accomplishing the task.


Other Points to Consider

1) If your dog has experienced a total switch in personality, it could very well be a physical problem i.e. it's in pain or otherwise sick therefore grouchy.

2) Hunger makes both animals and humans real grouchy. Feed all they will eat twice daily.

3) If aggravated by either human or animal as a puppy, the mature dog, about 12 months old, many will "stand their ground" toward that human or animal to show them they are no longer going to be treated in that manner. This is because they have developed the confidence of a grown dog. Never allow your puppy's interaction with humans or animals to reach the point of producing growls or other aggressive behavior.







Information presented here is strictly my opinion based upon research and/or 50 years experience at rescuing animals of all sorts. Consult your vet and perhaps even get a second opinion from another vet about all you read on my website.