The Labradoodle Handbook by Linda Whitwam

Author:Linda Whitwam [Whitwam, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781484008409
Publisher: Linda Whitwam
Published: 2015-08-21T00:00:00+00:00

Techniques

Desensitisation is the most common method of treating aggression. It starts by breaking down the triggers for the behaviour one small step at a time. The aim is to get the dog to associate pleasant things with the trigger, i.e. people or a specific person which he previously feared or regarded as a threat.

This is done through using positive reinforcement, such as praise or treats. Successful desensitisation takes time, patience and knowledge. Again, a professional behaviourist will give you detailed instructions at the outset. If your dog is starting to growl or snarl at people, there are a couple of techniques you can try to break him of this bad habit before it develops into full-blown biting.

One method is to arrange for some friends to come round, one at a time. When they arrive at your house, get them to scatter kibble on the floor in front of them so that your dog associates the arrival of people with tasty treats. As they move into the house, and your dog eats the kibble, praise your canine for being a good boy. Manage your dog's environment. Don’t over-face him. If he's at all anxious around children, manage him carefully around them or avoid them altogether. Children typically react to dogs enthusiastically and some dogs may regard this as an invasion of their space.

Some canines are aggressive towards the partner of a dog owner. Several people have written to our website about this and it usually involves a male partner or husband and a small dog. Often the dog is jealous of the attention his owner is giving to the man, or it could be that the dog feels threatened by him.

They key here is for the partner to gradually gain the trust of the dog. He or she should show that they are not a threat by speaking gently to the dog and giving treats when the dog is well behaved. Avoid eye contact, as the dog may perceive this as a challenge.

If the subject of the dog’s aggression lives in the house, then try letting this person give the dog his daily feeds. The way to a dog’s heart is often through his stomach.

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