Training for Aggressive Dogs Case Study
Bruce and his family enjoyed Matt, their yellow Labrador, but they sometimes had a problem when the kids would play in the backyard with the dog. Matt would frequently knock them down and when Bruce would play with them the dog would try to mount him. At times if Bruce scolds his children to reprimand them, Matt would get distress and start growling. Bruce tried spanking Matt or tapping him on his nose, but nothing seemed to be curbing the dog’s aggression.
Unfortunately, Mike chose to give up on Otto’s behavior. But at a dinner party, Mike found himself talking his frustration over Otto’s aggressive behavior with a neighbor. His neighbor recommended a dog trainer. He was also told that the trainer would visit them in their house to work with Mike and his family to be part of the crucial training for aggressive dogs like Otto.
When the trainer visited Bruce’s house he observed as Bruce and the kids huddled and talked to Bruce about what behaviors Matt was exhibiting. The trainer suggested that the family stop allowing Matt to assert that he was the Alpha Dog, and that Bruce would need to establish himself as the leader of Matt’s pack. The trainer further explained that dog’s have a pack mentality wherein one dog has dominance over everyone. Matt’s behavior was a way of him presenting he was in charge.
Mike followed the trainer’s advice and started taking control over everything. The trainer explained to Mike that Otto should wait first for permission to use any toy or even to eat. Otto needs to accept that Mike and his family were in control. Mike put up Otto’s toys and refrains from letting him jump on the couch or bed unless he sat first.
When Otto wants to play or go out the backyard, Mike will begin training him to sit in front of the toy box or doorway. For when he sat on command, Mike would let him play with a toy or open the door for him. If Otto would not follow, Mike would not give Otto what he wanted. Mike also instructed his kids how to do the same thing. At first Otto would not respond, but realized that he was not getting what he wanted, so he would follow to commands.
The trainer also discouraged Mike from playing tug-of-war with Otto. Even though this was one of Mike’s favorite games to play with Otto, he observed that Otto’s behavior worsened after a game of tug-of-war. The trainer cited that these kinds of games are instinctual ways for dogs to assert dominance in the pack. He suggested games of fetch and using other active toys to excite Otto.
A few months later, Teru’s aggression dissipated. Time and time again, Teru would try to reassert himself as the alpha dog, but the family now knows not to give in to any of his demands. Teru had truly improved and had matured for he no longer knocks down the kids when they would play, and he certainly stopped mounting on Gab. Gab even teaches Teru other tricks that he never thought he was capable of learning.
The key to Bruce’s success with Matt was that the family had to institute dominance over Matt. As soon as Matt realized his spot in the hierarchy, he was better behaved and the aggression subsided.
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