Dog Aggressive Dogs

It is a common thing at my job to have a "dog aggressive" dog. This simply means that a dog, though not aggressive towards people, are very aggressive towards other dogs. Very often they are actually quite friendly with humans but the minute a dog is placed in their proximity, they become very defensive. There is no one type of dog which is like this, though I am sure it would be assumed that larger dogs behave in this manner more often than smaller ones. However, I have come across many smaller breeds that feel very uncomfortable around other dogs and become very angry when they are placed around one.

When a puppy is born, they have the genes which drive them to do certain things and do behave in certain ways. A puppy is programmed to be part of a dog pack but not as the leader of the pack, that job stands with the puppy's owner. When confronted by another dog, it is the owner's job to regulate what goes on between the two canines. If the strange dog is aggressive and attacks the puppy, the puppy from there on out is suddenly programmed to be defensive around other dogs. This memory stays with them and it becomes instinct to act aggressively whenever another dog approaches them.


A puppy's owner needs to take on the role as the pack leader entirely. In order for your puppy to grow up as a friendly dog, towards humans and canines alike, you need to protect it. If an aggressive dog approaches yours, you need to stop the encounter in any way you can.


A dog's owner needs to have control over their pet, not let their pet have control over them. Letting your dog run wild, allowing them to do as they please is not your responsibility as their pack leader and not your responsibility as their owner. Though your dog will love you, they will not respect you and many problems will arise from this. Show your dog respect but in a firm, obedient manner and in turn, they will show you the same respect and believe it or not, they will love you for it too.