If you were asked which homeowner insurance claim you thought was responsible for close to half of all claims filed, what you be your guess? Fire, flood, hurricane, tornado? Would you believe dog bites? And would you also guess that nearly two thirds of these dog bites happen to folks that have at least some acquaintance with the dog? The aggressive tendencies in dogs along with biting incidences can be dramatically reduced by insuring your dog is healthy and well trained.
Although the genetic makeup of various breeds may incline a dog towards aggression in some circumstances, oftentimes there are other factors involved as well.
The ideal solution to any of these future occurrences is to begin training your dog as a pup.
Your first step in this training process begins with insuring that the puppy you select for your family is going to be a good fit.
Your first inspection of the litter should give you a few clues as to the future disposition of your dog.
Upon your inspection you will find puppies that are shy and you will find puppies that tend towards dominance.
The puppies who are presenting with dominance will usually be the ones attempting to wrest control from the other pups whereas the puppies exhibiting shyness may tend to be off by themselves in the corner for instance.
By choosing a shy pup, be ready to have to spend more time with her throughout the day making her feel comfortable in her new surroundings.
However, the choosing of a dog that exhibits dominant characteristics, may require all the family members take an authoritative stance throughout the formative months ahead.
How your puppy is handled and trained in the period between six to eighteen weeks will in large part set the stage for future character development.
It is important that you teach your pup not to be aggressive and most particularly during feeding.
Your pup needs to be taught to accept his food without displays of aggression such as growling or lunging.
Require your pup to sit before you place his bowl in front of him.
Remember, you are the boss and your pup eats when you say so.
Most puppies enjoy jumping on people and chasing after children while growling or barking playfully.
Do not encourage such behavior.
Although physical punishment can be counterproductive, you can help break your pup of these aggressive behaviors by denying him attention or startling your pup with a loud verbal "NO.
" It is important that you begin socialization of your puppy with other dogs and people at an early age.
It is also important that your pup learn to socialize in various situations at an early age.
Exposing your pup to other people and other dogs is necessary for your pup to insure he develops the proper skills required to become comfortable in various situations.
A "bark park" that allows owners and dogs to get together and socialize can be just the ticket.
It is best to try and get your puppy home as soon as possible.
After about 12 weeks it becomes more difficult for a new puppy to adjust itself to its new family.
This can possibly result in a puppy that is more fearful and aggressive behavior in a dog can often be triggered by fear.
Bonds between a family and a puppy should begin at an early age.
If these bonds are not developed at an early age, you may find your dog attempting to exert his dominance as he gets older.
A dog's teenage years generally begin at about 18 months and last until age 3.
For some breeds however, the teenage years can begin as early as 16 weeks.
It is at the beginning of the teenage years for a dog that you may begin to observe its territorial and protective dominance begin to surface.
If bringing home a dog that may have already entered his teenage years, take special care when handling.
You want to communicate to the rest of your family members that he be handled gently but frequently.
One way that you can show your pup that you are the master is by not releasing him when he squirms for instance.
Be aware that particular breeds of dogs have been traditionally bred for certain dispositions and job requirements throughout the years and this disposition cannot be turned off through the simple flip of a switch.
Again it is necessary for you to do your homework before bringing a new pup home to your family and to insure a good fit all around.
After all, your new addition will be a part of your family for years to come, so it is important to insure compatibility from the outset.