This is a question that I as a canine behavior specialist hear multiple times per day.  There can be several different reasons for this problem so let’s talk about them and what you can do to fix this unwanted behavior.

Most of the time when I get this call the dog in question is between 12 and 24 months of age.  If you remember from my article titled “What Can I Do With My Puppy To Avoid Aggression Later” the period of socialization for a puppy is from birth to 20 weeks of age.

The dogs in question 100% of the time are UNTRAINED and the owners admit that they kept planning on training the dog but they simply kept putting it off for one reason or another.

Training is IMPORTANT.  Obedience training your dog is what establishes you as the pack leader.  If you do not become the pack leader your dog will assume that position, so start formal obedience training at 4 months of age.

Another cause of aggression is because the owner allowed it to happen gradually.  What I mean is that at 6 months of age the puppy growls or shows some type of aggression and the owner thinks isn’t that cute he is protecting me.

The problem with this scenario is that if the dog is not corrected it then assumes that it is doing exactly what the owner wants.  Over a period of time the aggression gets worse and before you know it you have a dog that has bitten.

So far we have been talking about dogs that are aggressive with people however dogs that are aggressive with other dog is a serious issue as well.  In fact, many of the calls I receive talk about dogs that are great with people however they are dog aggressive.

For some people that are very social and enjoy going to the dog park or to gatherings where people bring their dogs are devastated when they realize that their dog is not welcome because of the dog’s aggression.

Again this is a byproduct of the lack of socialization with other dogs as a young dog.  When I talk about socializing your pup with other dogs I am talking about other dogs away from your house.  Just because you have other dogs does not count as socialization, those dogs are simply part of the pack and that does not count.

Okay, so now that you realize there is problem, what can you do?  Contact a canine behavior specialist.  You want a person that has a bunch of experience dealing with and treating this type of problem.  The average dog trainer simply does not have the needed experience to solve a problem like this.

Your canine behavior specialist will want to start rehabilitation with obedience training and some behavior modification.

So before giving up on your dog give it a chance at rehabilitation with the help of a .

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Does your dog need help with aggression?  We can help. If you are in ,  Chattanooga, TN,  Clarksville, TN, Knoxville, TN, Huntsville, AL and Indianapolis, IN visit our website and give us a call.

If you have an aggressive dog please be sure to visit www.DogAggressionExperts.com for help…

Please remember we can help you with dog training or problem solving no matter where you are located.  In fact we have clients all over the U.S.

P.S. Do you need some advice from a Canine Behavior Specialist?  If so CLICK HERE now!

About Wayne: Wayne Booth is owner of   which is headquartered in Nashville, TN but serves clients all over the U.S..  If you have a dog with aggression, behavior problems or simply needs training feel free to contact him.

Wayne has also been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network.  If you would like to become a Professional Dog Trainer he can get you started.

This article is from our friends in Chattanooga, TN at https://YourChattanoogaDogTrainer.com

In this article, I want to address the new dog owner.  I mean, the new dog owner that has never owned a dog before or it has been many years since owning your last dog. You need to remember that you are bringing a living creature into your home, and it will be your responsibility to give it everything it needs to become a happy member of your family.

1. One of the first things your new dog will need is a den. Dogs are den animals, and to be happy, it should have its own comfortable den.  When we talk den, we are talking about a crate.  We want a den-like crate so that rules out the wire cages that you see at all the pet stores and online.  You will be looking for the plastic airline type crate.  They are more den-like, your dog will like it better, and for several reasons, they are safer for your dog.

Remember that the crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lay down.  It should not be big enough for your dog to invite friends over for a party.

2. The next bit of advice has to do with training.  Every dog needs obedience training. Obedience training is what established the dog master relationship and shows your dog that you are the pack leader.

The ideal type of training will be private in-home training.  It is so much better than group class training in so many ways, and the best part is that your trainer will be able to help you solve the issues that your dog is having rather than spending time with 10 – 15 other dogs and their owners.

One thing to keep in mind when looking for a great dog trainer is don’t hire the cheapest trainer you can find because usually, you will find that is wasn’t a bargain after all. A great dog trainer knows what he or she is worth to a dog owner and will hopefully give you everything you paid for and more.

3. Exercise and plenty of it is very important for your dog.  For years I have told owners that a Trained Dog Is A Happy Dog, but an exhausted dog is happier, and that is a true statement. 

Your dog should get a daily walk, and I don’t mean a quick trip outside to do its business, I mean a nice long walk for exercise and to build serotonin in the brain to make it feel good.

If you are not able to walk your dog regularly, you may want to consider doggy daycare.  Even just 2 or 3 days a week can make all the difference in a nice, calm, happy dog and a dog that is creating chaos in the family.  Check your local area for a doggy daycare close to you.

4.  Good food and a good vet are next on the list.  I always tell people that giving your dog the cheapest food you can find will cost in the end.  Just like humans, if we eat nothing but junk, we end up with health issues and end up spending more time and money with the doctor.  The same is true for your dog. 

Feed food that offers good nutrition.  Your vet should be able to help you make a good food selection.

Speaking of veterinarians, there are a bunch of them out there, so find one that you like and appears to care about you and the welfare of your dog. I prefer to deal with a clinic that allows me to see the same doctor each time I go.  That allows the vet to know my dog and me much better than seeing a different person each time your dog needs a checkup or is sick.  That is the way most people are with their personal doctor, so it makes sense to do the same for your dog.

I hope that this article gives you some good information and things to ponder before bringing that new dog or puppy home.

If you live in the Chattanooga, TN area and need a GREAT trainer, please visit our website at https://yourchattanoogadogtrainer.com or better yet give us a call at 423-800-5170

One thing that always amazes me is how a dog owner will not admit that they have an aggressive dog.  They come up with all types of excuses and reasons why the dog is showing aggression and it is never the dogs fault.

If you have read any of my articles on dog aggression you know that I have mentioned that aggression has become an epidemic. Yes, you would be really surprised what a large percentage of dogs have aggression towards other dogs, people and sometimes even members of their human families.

I always explain to an aggressive dog owner that to be successful with rehabilitating an aggressive dog they first have to admit that there is a problem.  Without that the training and behavior modification are usually merely a waste of the dog and the owner’s time and the dog does not get better.

Once I have that commitment from the owner the process of rehabilitating the dog can begin.  The next commitment I need from an owner is that they will be willing to work with the dog at least once a day for no more than a 15 minute training session.

Of course repetition is the number one principle of dog training so if the owner has the time 2 or 3 sessions a day is even better.  I do tell them however that if they can only train once a day they will be amazed at what they will be able to accomplish with their dog and how quickly the dog’s attitude toward the owner, the ALPHA, will change.

Besides the obedience exercises that the dog needs rehabilitation will also include some behavior modification.  Each dog needs something different and we actually design a behavior modification program that is specific for each individual dog.

Rehabilitating a dog that is showing aggression does involve work and commitment from the owner.  On some occasions the dog owner is not willing to commit and instead chooses to find a new home for the dog and in extreme cases even have the dog euthanized.

Rehabilitating or rehoming is always a decision that the owner and family must make and there is not one right answer instead it has to do with the commitment that the owner is able and willing to offer.

Remember, that a very large percentage of aggressive dogs are that way because they did not receive proper socialization as puppies.  When you get the next puppy make sure that you find a well-qualified trainer that can teach you how to properly socialize your puppy.

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Do you need help with an aggressive dog?  We can help.  If you are in ,  Chattanooga, TN,  Clarksville, TN, Knoxville, TN, Huntsville, ALand Indianapolis, IN visit our website and give us a call.

Please remember we can help you with an aggressive dog no matter where you are located.  In fact we have clients all over the U.S. simply give us a call so we can tell you how.

Until next time,

P.S. Do you need some advice from a Canine Behavior Specialist?  If so CLICK HERE now!

About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of   which is headquartered in Nashville, TN but serves clients all over the U.S..  If you have a dog with aggression, behavior problems or simply needs training feel free to contact him.

Wayne has also been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network.  If you would like to become a Professional Dog Trainer he can get you started.