| If you see any of these signs in your dog then you | | | | back on the road to calmness and responding to |
| probably have an aggressive or easily agitated dog. | | | | commands? You should start now with the following |
| - Shows fear when around other dogs. | | | | actions. |
| - Shows panic or fear when startled by sounds. | | | | - Increase the exercise time with your dog. |
| Thunderstorms are a good example. | | | | - Get a good dog crate. There are so many uses for |
| - Becomes aggressive when around some other dogs. | | | | the dog crate. One use is short time outs. Once you |
| - Loves to chase vehicles, bicycles or anything with or | | | | dog is calm again give him a treat and let him out. No |
| without wheels that is moving. | | | | toys or food inside the crate please. A time out is a |
| - Consistent barking. | | | | time out. A heavy duty dog crate is recommended for |
| - Separation anxiety in dogs | | | | medium and large agitated or excitable dogs. |
| - Shows aggressiveness around visitors. | | | | - I recommend a Heavy Duty Dog Crate since many |
| - The ever popular destruction of furniture or other | | | | aggressive and agitated dogs have "chewing" issues. |
| items within the home. | | | | Do not keep replacing crates if you have a chewer. It |
| - Often ignores commands from pet parent due to | | | | is costly buying better and better dog crates only to |
| excitability. | | | | see them chewed through or the door pushed open. In |
| What are some of the causes of this behavior? | | | | addition, the veterinarian bills from tooth damage can |
| Before the correct treatment or training can be | | | | get expensive. |
| determined one should know the causes or source of | | | | - Find a good dog trainer or dog training course and |
| the aggressiveness or agitation. | | | | start now. Get educated then start educating your |
| - Some breeds tend to be more aggressive than | | | | dog. Time, attention and proper training techniques will |
| others. Human behavior can contribute to the problem. | | | | make a big difference. |
| - Not enough quality time with the human parent. | | | | - Doggie and parent playtime is important but never in |
| - Pet parents of these types of dogs must know | | | | an aggressive or combative fashion. |
| proper training techniques in order to be a successful | | | | - Congratulate your dog when he or she is acting calm |
| "Alpha" to get calming results desired. | | | | or good especially when you can see the positive |
| - Dogs like to see pet parents on a regular schedule | | | | change in their actions. |
| much like children I suspect. | | | | - Do not be afraid to be the alpha dog, the leader. Be |
| - Your dog can pick up on your mood so be calm | | | | stern but loving. |
| during your interactions if you expect calmness from | | | | This can happen in all sizes and breeds. The problem is |
| your dog. | | | | more severe in the strong dog and large dog breeds |
| - Some believe that should a strong dog is removed | | | | for obvious reasons. Your small dog is easier to control |
| from its mother prior to 7 weeks that puppy will not | | | | once he is overly excited. |
| learn certain social skills taught by the mother such as | | | | There are so many great dog trainers available on the |
| not biting and much more. | | | | internet and most have books and recorded video |
| - Many rescue dogs act out what they have learned | | | | media and other ways of educating yourself so you |
| from their previous negative experiences. | | | | can make a difference in your aggressive dogs' life. |
| - Stresses in the pet parents life or significant life | | | | It is a simple fact, and I think you will agree, that a calm |
| changes can cause agitation such as divorce, birth of | | | | and happy dog will improve quality of life for him and |
| a child or separation all of which may mean less time | | | | the whole family. Everyone can relax more often |
| spent with the your dog. | | | | without worrying about your dog or your guests. It is |
| - Not enough exercise especially if there is a large dog | | | | worth the time and effort. |
| in a small home. You dog will need 1 to 2 hours walking | | | | Here is a quote I found that should cause you to stop |
| per day. | | | | and think of what your special friend means to you |
| - Sudden reduction or elimination of daily walks and | | | | and your responsibility to him or her. |
| runs will be interpreted by your dog as a serious | | | | "She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your |
| decrease in the size of their territory. This can lead to | | | | dog. You are her life, her love, her leader. She will be |
| confusion and then to aggressiveness. | | | | yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart. |
| How can you solve these problems and get your dog | | | | You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion. |