I think the most read post on this site is Tips to Stop Dogs from Fighting, so I thought I’d share a little more information. I’ll start with a story a friend told me the other day.

I had three dogs that got along great. They slept together, ate out of the same bowl, etc. and barely even growled over toys. One day, one of the dogs started viciously attacking the other dogs. It was completely out of the blue. No new behavior in any of the other dogs, no new pets, etc.

Then, I realized that there was one thing that had changed in their lives. That was me. I had gone from working part time to working overtime with my new job. The dog who was fighting decided that with the “top dog” (me) gone so much, there was a job opening at home and she was going to fill it.

It wasn’t easy, but I did manage to regain control and stop the fighting. It took almost a year of constant work with the aggressive dog. I had her neutered, did obedience classes with her and made sure I was in charge the entire time I was at home. It was hard and constant work, but I’m glad I stuck it out.

This story illustrates why I’m always asking what has changed in the dog’s environment. It can be something you think of as very minor, but to your dog, it is a big change and your dog acts accordingly.

This is also why I emphasize talking to a behaviorist. My friend had to work constantly to keep her position of top dog, because she wasn’t naturally assertive. A behaviorist can help you work on proper responses and body language as you work with the aggressive dog.

Finally, notice the time frame. It took almost a year of hard work to regain the proper “pack” balance in the home. That’s a year of snarls and fights and possible dog bites for owners trying to separate their pets. Quite a few of those months involved the neutered dog’s hormones still being those of an un-neutered dog, which could have been part of the problem. If you haven’t neutered your dogs and there is no reason for them to remain that way, (i.e. dog shows) please consider doing so before there is a behavior problem.

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Free Dog Tips gets so many requests for dog aggression help that we have been looking for some additional resources for handling aggression in dogs. The best resource we’ve found is Sit, Stay, Fetch, a training course for dog owners packaged in a handy e-book format.

Just a few things covered in this e-book course for people with aggressive dogs:
* how to solve over 25 dog behavior problems
* real-life case studies
* the best dog training techniques
* an email consultation with the SitStayFetch team
* piles of photos that will boost your learning
* step-by-step instructions

If you’re having problems with your dog, check out Sit, Stay, Fetch. (Even if you decide you don’t want to buy the e-book course, they have a free newsletter packed with tips on training your dog.)

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We have been domesticating dogs for centuries and as we’ve done this through the ages, there are many behavioural and emotional problems that have been created or passed down. One of the most common behavioral challenges you can find in a dog is whether he is too dependent or independent.

Many dogs that are too independent create problems and can prevent a close relationship with a family from developing. When you have a dog that would rather be by itself, it is difficult for him to adapt into a family where children want to be around him and pet him all the time.

You can work with your independent dog to try to help him become more attached to the family. In many cases, being social is a learned behaviou, just as independence can be. Take it slowly with him, and show him how fun being in a family environment can be. When he enjoys being petted and being around the children, praise him and give him a treat. Spend a lot of time with him, making sure you don’t overstep his boundaries. Ideally, you will eventually have a social dog that loves being with you and the family, but is still ok to be left alone every once in a while.

On the other hand, we have dogs that are extremely dependent. They will whine and beg for attention. These are the kind of dogs that are under your feet 24/7 and make it impossible for anything to get done. This kind of behaviour makes it difficult for someone who lives in an apartment and goes to work from 9 to 5. While you are away, your neighbors may be complaining about your dog howling and barking.

Another effect of being left alone is that your dog could become a home wrecker. He’ll chew everything in sight and ruin your old books, not to mention the left shoe from every pair in your closet. To prevent these kinds of things, leave a light on in the house, or get him a raw hide to chew on. Another effective way to stop the howling is to leave the radio or TV on during the day. Your dog will hear the voices and not feel so lonely. Also, considering getting another dog for companionship while you’re away. In many cases it’s better to have two dogs when you aren’t home for part of the day, as both dogs will be happier, healthier, and better behaved.

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