Where the aggressive behavior comes from

Dog aggression can start as early as 6 weeks, This is the age to get your dog involved socially with other dogs and trained not to bite other people. The necessary period of social interaction with other dogs should last until the dog turns 14 weeks old and can extend further beyond that.

Several rules of thumb can be applied here. Firstly you should never take a puppy away from the litter before 8 weeks of age. You should never use yelling or harsh discipline with the puppy around the period of 8-10 weeks. Hitting, yelling or other harsh punishments at a young age can breed aggressive behavior in dogs over time.

A puppy needs to socialize correctly with people and other canines during the period of 8-14 weeks, this will prevent unwanted aggressive behavior in the future.

A dogs aggression can be triggered off by a number of reasons. Some breeds are known to be more aggressive then others – genetics does play a roll here – but it is not set in stone. Also, dogs that have not been neutered or spayed are more likely to be aggressive.

The most enduring factor in the character of an aggressive dog is their environment. A dog exposed to poor living conditions and harsh owners – where there is no interaction with other dogs, or that has been frightened or attacked by another dog – is far more likely to be aggressive as it grows up.

Aggression can derive from the need to establish a pack pecking order. Signs of biting, posturing and other aggressive behavior are the result of a dog testing for dominance. By beginning to establish your dominance from an early stage and maintaining that dominance through the dogs adolescence you will ensure control of your household.

Aggressive tendencies in your dog can be stopped and controlled.

If signs of aggression start surfacing after 14 months of age, usually at the time of sexual maturity and especially if this occurs after it has been altered, you should not allow for the bad behavior to escalate. The first thing you should do is make sure you have established yourself as the pack leader, then don’t reward your dog for aggressive behavior, even if it is scared – actually especially in this case.

Teach your dog to obey your commands and control its feeding and walking times – also make sure the dog has a strong leader in the house. If you do not allow your dog to take liberties in your house, it will be less aggressive toward others.

If your dog displays defensive-aggressive attributes, they may strike out at a person in fear. The cause could be that they did not properly socialized with people or other dogs. Keep them away from small children (which they may see as direct threats) and attend a training session or behaviorist who can slowly acclimate the dog to a social atmosphere.

Aggressive behavior in canines is a immense issue that lots of owners have, but it can be controlled, even as your dog gets older. If your aggression ever advances to violence, think about hiring a professional to intervene before someone gets hurt and your dog is blamed.

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive a dog training ebook absolutely free

Paper training is the process of teaching your puppy to eliminate pee or poop in the appropriate places inside your house. You use newspapers in order to train your dog. News papers are ideal because they are readily available and because they will not cost you as much.

Paper training is different from crate training. With crate training, your train your dogs to go outside when she needs to make a toilet break. With paper training, you simply train your dog to pee on newspapers.

Many dog owners opt for dog for paper training because it requires less time and effort. Consider the following tips when paper training your dog.

1. Choose the “elimination area” inside the house. Many would choose the laundry corners of the kitchen or laundry area.
2. Spread the newspaper thickly in this room. At first, keep the newspaper area big.
3. Restrict her movement to the papered area of the floor. Expect that your puppy will eliminate at random on the paper.
4. After a few weeks shrink the papered area. By this time, you may allow her to move freely to un-papered surfaces.

It would take a few months before your dog gets used to the paper training method. The most important thing to keep in mind is that she’s confined to the papered area except when she is eating, sleeping, or playing. Consider the following tips to help you with paper training:

1. Always praise her when you see her take a toilet break on paper. You can also give her a treat.
2. Many dog owners catch their pets eliminating off-paper especially during the first few months. Interrupt you pet with a clap then put her on paper. When she’s done, show her how happy you are by praising her or playing with her.
3. Supervise your pet. The first few weeks or months will not be easy. So you should be ready to allot enough time for paper training. If things are not going well, it could be an indication that you’re not supervising your pet closely. Step up the conservation.
4. Make a feeding schedule. This will encourage her to eliminate only at the right time and at the right place. The advisable schedule for feeding is at 8AM, 1PM, and 7PM.

Paper training may be a challenge to both parties. For first time dog owners, it will need your devotion and commitment. You need to be able to give enough time to paper train your dog. For the pets, it will take a few weeks or months before they get used to the process.

Submissive /Excited Urination

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive this ebook absolutely free

If your dog is a submissive urinator, he does not hesitate to urinate anywhere. He urinates on the floor, on himself, on you – everywhere. This happens when he is feeling a sense of excitement or stress. Many dog owners experience this behavior when they return home at the end of the day or when he is being reprimanded.

Puppies are prone to submissive or excited urination but there are also adult dogs that experience the same problem.  These dogs are either timid or highly-sensitive. Pets with a history of abuse and those who come from shelters are also vulnerable to becoming submissive or excited urinators. There are a host of reasons that contribute to this behavior. These include greeting time after prolonged absence, play time, arrival of guests, stressful situations at home, reprimanding, and sudden loud noises.

What can I do about it? The good news is that it is not difficult to treat a dog with this kind of behavior.  Take your dog to the vet to ensure that there are no underlying medical reasons for this. Diabetes and bladder infection can also cause the behavior. Consider the following:

1. Limit water intake to control his bladder effectively.
2. Stay calm and mellow when you greet your dog.
3. Do not punish your dog harshly.
4. Stress can lead to urination so take the stress to level down by being authoritative and firm but not angry.

Scent Marking

Scent marking is another common problem among homeowners. It is where a dog left a mark in your home with his urine. You can tell that a dog is scent marking is the urine produced is small and if it is directed against vertical surfaces like doors and walls. Male dogs which are unneutered or at least 5 months old are also prone to scent marking.

To solve this problem, neuter your dog as soon as you can. If this is done before your pet reaches 6 months, it halts marking altogether. However, if your dog has been marking for a long period of time, there’s a chance that she will continue scent marking even after being neutered because the pattern has been established for a long time.  Cleaning your soil thoroughly also yield good results. Use a non-ammonia based cleaner. You can also use other commercial cleaners to lift pet stains. Bear in mind that dogs will re-mark the same places so you need to redefine the areas in order to avoid repeat offending.

Consider the following tips:

1. Feed her near the spot
2. Play with him near the spot
3. Groom him near the spot
4. Put his bed next to the spot

Through this, you will be able to eliminate two of the most common problems that most dog owners have.

Arrival. Once the puppy is home, find time to take her out. Doing so also saves you from the troubles of her first toilet break. When the puppy relieves herself inside, she is more likely to do it again. You should be able to set a precedent for toilet behavior as soon as the puppy arrives.

Consider the following tips:

1. Upon arrival, take her to a designated toilet area.
2. Do not play with her while she takes her toilet break. Wait until she sniffs and ensure that you do not associate “the toilet” with games. You should be able to instill the idea that this part of the house is only for toilet breaks.
3. After she relieves herself, say the words that you want her to associate with toilet breaks. Many dog owners use the phrases “pee”, “go pee”, or “potty time.” The shorter and the more recognizable a word is, the faster that your dog understands the idea.
4. When she’s done, make her feel that you were happy with her action. Praise her and give her a treat.

Inside the house. When you take her inside your home, start the house training right away. Many pet owners consider crate training as the most accepted and efficient method of training a puppy. Crate-training is the process of using a small indoor kennel that allows you to confine your puppy even in the absence of your supervision. The idea is to restrict your pet’s movement to her sleeping space. Puppies submit to the limitation until she is let out of the crate. Because of this, it is very important that you choose a crate that fits your dog’s size. If the crate is too big, she will end up using one as a toilet and the other end as a bed. Consider the following tips when choosing a crate:

1. Choose a crate that’s huge enough for her to stretch. She will grow bigger soon so you need to allot space allowance for your puppy. It should be spacious enough so that he stays comfortable even if he stands up.
2. Use a barrier that will reduce the internal size of your crate. Many owners use a wire grille or a board.

You can also use the crate for house training. To make this idea efficient, you have to keep the puppy inside the crate at all times – whether she’s eating, sleeping, or playing. Consistency is very important. If you are not consistent, your plan will not work. Take a look at the following schedule:

7AM  Take your puppy out for a toilet break

7:25: Feed your puppy breakfast.

7:45 Accompany your puppy for another toilet break. This should be under your supervision.

7:50 Take your puppy out of the crate for playtime and cuddle time.

8:45 Take your puppy out for his third toilet break.

8:50 Put your puppy back in the crate for his nap.

11AM Take your puppy out for his fourth toilet break.

11:05 Play with your puppy. Take your puppy out of the crate for playtime.

12:30 Lunch time

12:45 Take your puppy out for his fifth toilet break.

1 PM Take your puppy back in the crate for his nap.

Keep these tips in mind when house training your puppy. You may also want to take a look at tips on canine behavioral problems which include the most effective training techniques.

Arrival.

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive this ebook absolutely free

Once the puppy is home, find time to take her out. Doing so also saves you from the troubles of her first toilet break. When the puppy relieves herself inside, she is more likely to do it again. You should be able to set a precedent for puppy potty behaviour as soon as the puppy arrives.

Consider the following tips:

• Upon arrival, take her to a designated toilet area.
• Do not play with her while she takes her toilet break. Wait until she sniffs and ensure that you do not associate “the toilet” with games. You should be able to instill the idea that this part of the house is only for toilet breaks.
• After she relieves herself, say the words that you want her to associate with toilet breaks. Many dog owners use the phrases “pee”, “go pee”, or “potty time.” The shorter and the more recognizable a word is, the faster that your dog understands the idea.
• When she’s done, make her feel that you were happy with her action. Praise her and give her a treat.

Inside the house.

When you take her inside your home, start the house training right away. Many pet owners consider crate training as the most accepted and efficient method of training a puppy. Crate-training is the process of using a small indoor kennel that allows you to confine your puppy even in the absence of your supervision. The idea is to restrict your pet’s movement to her sleeping space. Puppies submit to the limitation until she is let out of the crate. Because of this, it is very important that you choose a crate that fits your dog’s size. If the crate is too big, she will end up using one as a toilet and the other end as a bed.

Consider the following tips when choosing a crate:

• Choose a crate that’s huge enough for her to stretch. She will grow bigger soon so you need to allot space allowance for your puppy. It should be spacious enough so that he stays comfortable even if he stands up.
• Use a barrier that will reduce the internal size of your crate. Many owners use a wire grille or a board.

You can also use the crate for house training. To make this idea efficient, you have to keep the puppy inside the crate at all times – whether she’s eating, sleeping, or playing. Consistency is very important. If you are not consistent, your plan will not work.

Take a look at the following schedule:

7AM Take your puppy out for a toilet break
7:25 Feed your puppy breakfast.
7:45 Accompany your puppy for another toilet break. This should be under your supervision.
7:50 Take your puppy out of the crate for playtime and cuddle time.
8:45 Take your puppy out for his third toilet break.
8:50 Put your puppy back in the crate for his nap.
11AM Take your puppy out for his fourth toilet break.
11:05 Play with your puppy. Take your puppy out of the crate for playtime.
12:30 Lunch time
12:45 Take your puppy out for his fifth toilet break.
1 PM Take your puppy back in the crate for his nap.

Keep these tips in mind when house training your puppy. You may also want to take a look at tips on canine behavioral problems which include the most effective

training techniques.