Dogs who Bite Visitors and other Strangers

It's a dangerous problem if your dog lunges aggressively at guests or people you encounter on walks. You too can get badly hurt just by trying to stop an attack. And while it's important to confine an unpredictable dog, without effective management the problem is likely to worsen. That's because aggressive behavior is reinforced every time a dog succeeds in chasing off someone, including people who are just walking past your fence.

Territorial and protective aggression can be further complicated by anxiety and fear causing a “hair trigger” effect. Yelling, punishment, and harsh corrections have no place in an attempt to help these dogs; most just learn to drop their warning growl. On the other hand, reliable obedience skills can be the basis for real improvement.

Owning a dog like this is stressful. Going for a walk or having a guest over means facing one Maalox moment after another. There is no cure but you can teach your dog to work for you and the strangers she might otherwise bite.

Start your dog's behavior modification at home by blocking her ability to see people and other dogs when she's alone.

• Close the drapes and cover the chain link fence.
• Teach her to come, sit, and stay using a Gentle Leader head halter (available at www.premier.com or, in Albuquerque, retailers like Long Leash on Life 505-299-8800).
• Why not continue with a choke or prong collar?
• A dog like this already associates pain-based correction with aggression.
• Instead you need to communicate your leadership. A head halter will remind your dog to submit to your authority and look to you for behavior cues. She can also have a good time doing it.

Once your dog is reliably trained to basic commands you can reduce her out-of-control reactions by frequent low level exposures to different people.

• Take her for walks where she is sure to see strangers. Also ask friends she doesn't know to visit your home.
• These “stimuli” must be at such a distance that your dog is aware of them but doesn’t show aggression.
• Reward her non-aggressive behavior with the tastiest treats. These snacks will be so special they can only be earned during these “desensitization” sessions.

This takes time, patience, and a whole lot of repetition. You may be able to speed up your dog's progress with an air horn. At the earliest sign of aggression you can interrupt her with a blast. Immediately have your loyal accomplice back up to his starting point. Ask your straight man to repeat his low level approaches hundreds of times until your dog says “aw shucks, ho hum, just gimme the treat.”

With your dog feeling more relaxed supply the stranger with treats and have him give a command.

• When your dog obeys he should reward her with a goody.
• Do this enough (hundreds of times) and your dog may actually regard strangers as food dispensers instead of adversaries.

This sounds idyllic but be real. No matter how much your dog improves she should never be fully trusted, especially around strange children. Never let a dog with territorial aggression loose on the unsuspecting public without a family member in firm control.

Keep the faith and don't give up. Contact me through my web site if you need individual help.