Aggression at Home: Handling

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

06 Aug 2007 08:15 PM

Being a canine good citizen starts at home. So if your dog growls at or snaps at a family member, it will help you to figure out why. Many dogs threaten family members for two reasons: the dog may be guarding something or may not want to be handled in a particular way.

For example, my dog Miko always growled at a particular friend of mine. She would try to pet him, and he would growl every time. The problem was that she was trying to pet Miko on the top of his head -- and he didn't like that. Once I suggested that she pet him somewhere else, he was fine! No more growling.

It's definitely easier to prevent aggression than to change a behavior once it's become a habit. You can get your pet used to handling at a young age -- be sure to touch his mouth, feet, and tail, too. If your dog (or other pet) is used to being handled by family, handling by strangers (like the veterinarian) will go much more smoothly. Be sure that handling is a positive experience -- reward your dog with praise and treats.

If you've adopted an adult dog, the process may have to go slowly. Start with gentle patting and move gradually to hugging and grabbing. Don't rush! Be patient and gentle and even the most reluctant dog will come to accept handling.

The end result? Your dog may not love it when a two year old grabs him around the neck, but he will be relaxed and tolerant. And you can advise people on the best way to approach your dog. Tell them "he likes it if you scratch his chest" or "her favorite place to be scratched is on her rump." That way, your dog is getting the kind of attention he likes. Remind a young child that pulling on a tail hurts the dog, and show them how to be nice.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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