Know what to do if approached by an aggressive dog Stand still, don't run. Keep your hands by your side. Stay quiet, try not to make any noise. Avoid eye contact with the dog, look at the ground.
Back away.
“Most dogs are not aggressive enough to attack a runner, and will stop at a certain point.” But don't run away, as that may trigger the chase response. Instead, back away slowly without making direct eye contact. Be aware of your footing so you don't trip and fall.
Physical punishment should never be a course of action following a puppy or dog bite. Tapping or popping them on the nose can be misunderstood and seen as being playful. This could also encourage more unwanted biting behavior. Hitting a dog, or being too rough with a dog, frequently encourages more biting as well.
People and dogs can become injured when there's a fight. Also, a dog will remember that he's been attacked. It may be very difficult–if not impossible–for them to get along afterwards.
As many employees of the U.S. Postal Service know, pepper spray is one of the most effective weapons to deter dog attacks. Inexpensive, compact and effective, it can repel aggressive canines without causing any lasting or long-term damage to them.
Aggression in dogs can be due to guarding territory, resources, or a family member; fear; frustration; prey drive; or pain. In all of these situations, a dog may be pushed too far and can transition quickly from reactive, fearful, or guarding behaviors to being aggressive.
If his growl doesn't mean a bite is imminent, stop what you're doing but stay where you are. Wait until he relaxes, then move away, so you're rewarding the relaxed behavior rather than the growl.
The most common causes include conflict aggression, fear-based, defensive aggression, status related aggression, possessive aggression, food guarding aggression and redirected aggression.
Aggression in dogs commonly includes body language or threat displays such as a hard stare, growling, barking, snarling, lunging, snapping, and/or biting. Aggression can be a normal form of communication in dogs, yet the display of aggression toward a person or animal is often considered undesirable or problematic.
Do not wait for someone to be bitten. If your dog does any of the following, it's time to look for expert help in person: Growls, barks, snarls, snaps or lunges at people on walks. Shows aggression toward visitors to your home.
Best case scenario if you growl at your dog — you'll get his attention because you've made a novel noise. Worst case scenario – you'll get bitten in the face. I used another example to illustrate the fact that growling at your dog is not only silly, but dangerous advice.
Don't Punish Growling
You won't have done anything to address the underlying issue. For example, punishing your dog for growling in the presence of other dogs will stop the growling. However, your dog will still feel uncomfortable around other dogs.
Give up the dog if none of the methods succeed. If your dog has a serious mental condition, or bites several times no matter how much training you give it, it may be time to remove him from your home.
It is imperative to visit a doctor if:
If the wound has not stopped bleeding after 15 minutes of applying pressure. If there is a nerve or tissue damage due to dog bite. If in the last five years you have not taken a tetanus vaccine. If you are bitten by a stray dog or an unknown dog.
Usually conversations about serious behavioral problems include three primary options for dealing with all serious behavioral problems: 1) Keep the dog and work with a trainer or behaviorist to mitigate or manage the problem, 2) re-home the dog if it can be done safely and responsibly, and 3) euthanize the dog.
There are many steps to take to help curb puppy biting and others you should avoid, including: 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.
Do not use physical punishment on your dog. Hitting your dog could cause him or her to become afraid or more aggressive. Treating canine aggression is usually complex and can be dangerous, so a treatment plan should be designed and supervised by a behavior specialist.
If you punish a growl with a reprimand, you are adding something unpleasant on top of an already unpleasant feeling, which will only make your dog feel worse. If instead, you teach your dog to look forward to the things he was previously afraid of, your dog will stop needing to growl! Happy Training!