Do's and Don'ts for Handling Aggressive Dogs

DON’T

DO

Don’t allow exposure to situations in which you feel your dog is likely to be aggressive and/or fearful.  

Uncontrolled exposure to these situations could inhibit your dog from learning new appropriate ways to respond which can increase the likelihood that your dog may injure someone.

Find new ways to spend time with your dog.

Find a hobby or game that you both enjoy in a comfortable, controlled environment.

Examples: cuddle time on the couch, playing fetch in the yard, or teaching “Find It” games.

Don’t allow repeated, uncontrolled exposures to triggers.

This allows practice of the behaviors you don’t want and reinforces aggressive behaviors.

Practice controlled low-stress exposure to triggers when you have full control of the situation.

Work with a professional to set yourself up for success.

Don’t use punishments.

Examples: choke collars, prong collars, leash props, hitting, yelling, pinning, alpha-rolls, etc.

Reward behaviors you like whether they are cued or spontaneous.

Use food, play, praise, petting or whatever your dog loves best. (counter-conditioning)

DON’T use retractable or long leashes.

You may think you have control of your dog but you absolutely do not have control of anything that is more than 6 feet away from you.

Use a flat leash that is less than 6 feet in length.  This can be combined with a martingale collar, head collar, body harness and safety leash (that attaches the martingale to your head halter or body harness.

Don’t listen to music, talk on the phone or make eye contact with others, as this may be viewed as an invitation to come closer.

Be a defensive walker.  Focus on your environment and your pet.  Do you see signs of fear?  Increase distance from trigges.

Don’t let other greet or especially touch!

If people ask to pet or approach with their animals, hold your hand up in a STOP sign and tell them briefly, “Sorry we are working on training” then turn and walk away quickly.

Use a “no petting” vest for public exposures.

Can be found on Etsy or make one yourself.  

Purchase or make a leash sleeve (a fabric “sign” to slip over your leash that says “No petting”).

Never allow children to walk a fearful or threatening dog, even if trigger events are rare!

Only allow adults to walk or handle your dog, even if trigger events are rare.

Don’t skip safety tools, including muzzles!

Dogs who have shown any aggressive behaviors should wear a basket muzzle at all times when they are outside or in trigger situations.

Train your dog to wear a muzzle happily.

This improves safety for you and your dog.

Don’t go to the dog park. 

These are uncontrolled environments that encourage aggressive and fearful behaviors.

Play only in contained areas.  

Examples are fenced in sports courts that you can padlock from the inside, private dog patios or gyms.

Dogs that have shown any threatening behaviors shouldn’t be around or anyone who isn’t able to follow instructions.

Dogs that are not normally aggressive towards people still should not have access to them if a trigger situation will be present.

Maintain direct, aware, awake, adult supervision if you must expose your dog to children or people who can’t/won’t follow your instructions.  

Use a muzzle, leash and your recommended walking gear for these exposures.