Aggression In Puppies
The behaviour of dogs is equally dependent upon both the training they receive as puppies, and their genetics. We can’t do anything about the genetics; but, if we get our dogs while they are still young puppies, we can influence them during their most teachable months if they are subjected to gentle, effective training during this time, this can overcome even stubborn genetic traits.
What Constitutes Aggressive Puppy Behaviour?
In a puppy, traits of dominance and aggression aren’t yet set. The puppy is very aware of his young and helpless status in the house, and isn’t likely to test the boundaries too much while still pre-adolescent. In a very young puppy (8 weeks to approximately 4 months) the worst non-accidental behaviour you are likely to get will be teething while playing the puppy will grip you with his teeth. Occasionally the skin may be broken. If this is the case, it’s a very serious matter and you will need to seriously consider the puppy’s future in your household. Do you have young children? If so, you will need to have the puppy assessed by an expert (a veterinarian or behavioural modification specialist). If, after expert assessment, the prognosis is to place the puppy out, you may wish to seriously consider doing this. Better to place the puppy out now, while it’s still cute and hasn’t really damaged anyone yet, if placing it out is going to be a possibility of any magnitude.
Prevention
The best form of aggression treatment in a puppy is prevention. A puppy can be hard work and constitutes a serious commitment on your part it may be several years before it has matured into a fully-grown dog capable of independently carrying out the behaviour you require of it. Until that time, you will need to spend time daily with your pup, training, playing, and rewarding it for good behaviour.
Reward, Don’t Punish Your Puppy
The most effective manner of training puppies is also the most humane and easiest to tolerate for the soft-hearted owner. It is not necessary to punish your puppy for bad behaviour: the trick is to use your brain and reward it when the puppy acts how you want. For example, say you come across your puppy chewing a shoe. You make a grab for it, the puppy runs away with the shoe, and you chase the puppy. This is reinforcing negative behaviour: the puppy has just found a wonderful new game (which involves wanton destruction of your possessions). Instead of reacting in this way, the smart method of training your pup would be to turn and run slowly (at puppy-running speed) away. The puppy will most likely follow you, as its natural instinct will be to chase things that move. When it catches up to you, gently remove the shoe from its mouth while saying, “Drop it” and substitute with a more appropriate toy. Praise the puppy lavishly and pet him when this is achieved. Your puppy has just learned that it pays to do what you want and when this happens again (which it should do at least several times more) and you react in the same manner, you will be reinforcing positive behaviour and preventing future trouble down the line (for example, when the issue of teething crops up).
Training Is Fun
You need to teach your pup that training is fun. It should never be a chore. Spend five or ten minutes a day EVERY day training your pup in the basic commands, such as “come” and “stay”. Never prolong training periods beyond this time limit, and always end on a good note: don’t train until your puppy is beyond its concentration limits. When the training is finished, it’s time for a play session for at least as long as you trained for. Frequent training sessions with small treats and lots of praise when the pup does as commanded.
Socialize, Socialize, Socialize
When your puppy has been fully vaccinated and registered, it’s time for his first foray into the outside world. These trips should be short and pleasant it’s very important not to exhaust or overwhelm your puppy when venturing beyond the household fence, as he will soon associate exploring and meeting new people with sensations of being overwhelmed and fearful. Take him to the park for fifteen minutes, and then it’s time for home and a nap. Your puppy will be more tired than you would believe possible after just a short walk.
The Human Approach Is To Be Welcomed
From an early age, it will help to teach your puppy that to have humans approach him and handle his food and toys while he is eating/playing with them will result in a treat and a pat. If this is not successfully ingrained into him, he may react savagely if a small child approaches him during dinner time and playfully makes a grab for his meal. The best way to go about doing this is to conceal a small treat in one hand as you approach the food bowl while the pup is eating. Command him to sit. (If he doesn’t know this command yet, gently push his head out of the bowl and push on his hindquarters until he sits, while repeating the word “Sit”) When he does so, take the food away and hold it for a few moments, substituting with the treat and lavish praise. Return the food to him when you are ready (never more than a few moments). Repeat this procedure at least once a week, even more if you feel like it.
Your Puppy Wants To Please You
Again, puppies are rarely aggressive creatures. They may misbehave from time to time, but if you as the owner keep your calm and remember your training methods, in time your pup will learn how and how not to behave. Remember to socialize your puppy should have his final shots by week 13 at the very latest, at which point it’s time to enrol in puppy preschool.
The most important thing you can do is to remain consistent. If you give the command to drop and then give up halfway through and indulgently fondle the puppy’s ears, for example, the pup will just become confused. Don’t send mixed messages react the same way every time and your puppy will grow into a happy, trusting dog.
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