Harsh methods of discipline, such as yelling at or hitting your pooch, aren't constructive, only serving to scare your pup, breaking your trust with him. If the relationship with your dog has become negatively affected by either your actions or aggressive behavior on your dog's part, work with him to rebuild the trust between you. Keep interactions positive and gentle, using rewards and obedience training to encourage your pup to bond with you -- and behave.
Sit quietly in a room with your pooch. Don't force any interactions with Fido, instead letting him come to you. Anytime he comes over and sits calmly near you, give him some delicious treats to reward him. Ignore any unwanted behaviors such as fearfulness, aggression or shyness. Repeat this daily for at least 15 minutes at a time. Eventually, you can just reward him when he moves closer to you, eventually happily sitting next to, or in, your lap.
Engage your pooch in a game that he enjoys, such as fetch, with his favorite toys. If, during the game, he attempts to nip or growl at you, immediately stop playing and leave the room to give Fido a "time out" of two to three minutes. Not only does this teach your pup that aggressive behavior is undesirable, it also allows you to calm down so you don't snap at your pup, negatively affecting your relationship.
Teach your dog basic obedience commands using positive reinforcement techniques. Do this in sessions of 15 minutes at a time, rewarding your pup with treats and praise when he performs a desired behavior. You can also enroll him in an obedience class with an instructor who uses positive training techniques. Learning obedience makes your dog polite and well-behaved, so you'll feel more comfortable around him. When a dog learns obedience commands, it also boosts his confidence level around you and helps you to gain his trust, recommends 2ndchance.info.
Feed all of your dog's meals to him by hand. Crouch down to his level and hold out the food in the palm of your hand, avoiding eye contact with him, suggests the Best Friends Animal Society. If he's very fearful, place the food down in front of him at first, slowly working him up to eating directly from your hand. This type of feeding helps build your pup's trust back up with you, while also strengthening your bond with him.
Tips
Stay calm and upbeat during your time with your pup. If you're anxious or upset, your pooch will pick up on your emotions, becoming anxious himself.
Place a pressure-wrap around your pooch when spending time with him. These wraps help to alleviate anxiety, making your dog calmer, helping you to build your trust with him, according to Petfinder.
Warnings
Never punish your dog for fearful or aggressive behavior by yelling at him or hitting him. Not only is this cruel, it will only serve to scare your pooch and destroy his trust with you, according to dog trainer Victoria Stilwell.
If you are scared of your dog because he is aggressive, seek the help of a veterinary behaviorist to work with your pooch and resolve any issues safely.
Warnings
Never punish your dog for fearful or aggressive behavior by yelling at him or hitting him. Not only is this cruel, it will only serve to scare your pooch and destroy his trust with you, according to dog trainer Victoria Stilwell.
If you are scared of your dog because he is aggressive, seek the help of a veterinary behaviorist to work with your pooch and resolve any issues safely.
Tips
Stay calm and upbeat during your time with your pup. If you're anxious or upset, your pooch will pick up on your emotions, becoming anxious himself.
Place a pressure-wrap around your pooch when spending time with him. These wraps help to alleviate anxiety, making your dog calmer, helping you to build your trust with him, according to Petfinder.
Items You Will Need
- Dog treats
- Dog toys
- Dog food
References
- VeterinaryPartner.com: Defensive Dog Behavior
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Gaining Trust When Training a Puppy
- Cesar's Way: Abused Dog
- Good Housekeeping: Gaining the Trust of an Abused Dog
- PetEducation.com: Basic Dog & Puppy Training Rules
- Best Friends Animal Society: Rehabilitating Your Rescued Dog: Using Positive, Gentle and Kind Techniques
- 2ndchance.info: Curing Your Fearful or Frightened Dog
- San Diego Humane Society and SPCA: Was Your Dog Abused?
- Victoria Stilwell Positively: Why Positive Reinforcement (+R)
- Petfinder: A Thundershirt Helps a Terrified Dog Trust Humans
Resources
Tips
- Stay calm and upbeat during your time with your pup. If you're anxious or upset, your pooch will pick up on your emotions, becoming anxious himself.
- Place a pressure-wrap around your pooch when spending time with him. These wraps help to alleviate anxiety, making your dog calmer, helping you to build your trust with him, according to Petfinder.
Warnings
- Never punish your dog for fearful or aggressive behavior by yelling at him or hitting him. Not only is this cruel, it will only serve to scare your pooch and destroy his trust with you, according to dog trainer Victoria Stilwell.
- If you are scared of your dog because he is aggressive, seek the help of a veterinary behaviorist to work with your pooch and resolve any issues safely.
Writer Bio
Based in Las Vegas, Susan Paretts has been writing since 1998. She writes about many subjects including pets, finances, crafts, food, home improvement, shopping and going green. Her articles, short stories and reviews have appeared on City National Bank's website and on The Noseprint. Paretts holds a Master of Professional Writing from the University of Southern California.