17/04/2020
*This is how we create an aggressive dog:*
1. We don’t adequately or properly socialize the dog.
Socialization is the single most significant thing you can do for your dog early on in life. It’s true that it’s always a good time to socialize your dog but the first 8 to 14 weeks are considered the most impactful.
A lack of socialization can ensure that your dog progressively begins to feel troubled and stressed by unfamiliar sights, sounds, environments, dogs, humans, and so on. If the thing is novel and your dog has no experience with it then there’s a good chance that your under-socialized dog will feel uncomfortable in its presence.
Aggressive behavior is often rooted in fear, distrust, and insecurity of the unfamiliar. Fall short in your socialization efforts and you could be paying for it for the rest of your dog’s life.
2. We isolate or confine the dog for long periods.
Of course this is counterproductive, but many resort to isolation in the face of growing aggressive behaviors.
This is sadly enough what many owners with reactive dogs do. The social shame and embarrassment that many experience when walking their reactive dog is enough to keep them from doing it again. The activity is no longer enjoyable and even considered dangerous to some. So they provide the dog with a sheltered life of sorts. Like a permanent quarantine. This often worsens the dogs condition since the issue is never worked on, the humans put an end to any socialization efforts, and they therefore never develop the skills and confidence necessary to help the dog cope.
3. We don’t make the dog feel safe about the world
Dogs, like humans, are always craving safety and security. The more anxious and fearful a dog is, the more they yearn to feel safe. The onus is on us to provide them with that safe world with routine, structure, safe environments, safe humans, and consistency in how they’re dealt with and handled. In other words, you want to make life extremely predictable for dogs. Pre
