How to train a vicious dog owner who even bites their owner

When the dog that has been with you day and night suddenly bares its teeth at you and even launches an attack, the shock and heartache are enough to make every owner feel confused. Such aggressive behavior of the dog is like a thorn that pierces the originally intimate relationship. But please don't be hasty to blame or give up. Behind every attack, there is the dog's inexpressible "language". Only by understanding the root causes of these behaviors and using scientific methods and sincere emotions to defuse the crisis can we help the dog get out of the predicament and rebuild the trust between each other.

A dog's aggression towards its owner or biting its owner is not an unfounded "rebellion". From a biological and behavioral perspective, this may be an instinctive defensive reaction. When a dog feels that its own safety is threatened, or is in strong negative emotions such as pain, fear, and anxiety, aggression becomes its last resort to protect itself. For example, when the owner touches the dog's wound when it is injured, or suddenly makes a quick and large movement that startles it, the dog may instinctively launch an attack. Or, when a dog is dominated by territorial awareness and misinterprets some of the owner's behaviors as an invasion of its "territory", it will also trigger aggressive behavior.

Psychological factors should not be ignored either. Dogs that have been abused, abandoned, or have experienced intense conflicts often have fear and a lack of security in their hearts. These traumatic memories make them extremely sensitive to human behavior. Even an unintentional move by the owner may seem like a potential threat in their eyes. In addition, dogs that lack socialization training, because they don't know how to interact with people correctly, may become aggressive when facing the owner's affection or commands due to being at a loss.

When facing a dog's aggressive behavior, the owner should first stay calm and must not beat, scold, or physically punish the dog when emotional. Violence will only further escalate the dog's fear and aggression, forming a vicious cycle. Imagine how strong the resistance and rebellion in our hearts would be if we were treated violently when we are in extreme fear or unease. Therefore, the owner needs to control their emotions and face the problem with a calm mindset, which is the prerequisite for solving everything.

To defuse a dog's aggressive behavior, it is crucial to have an in-depth understanding of its behavior pattern and the specific situation that triggers the aggression. The owner can record the time, place, surrounding environment when the dog shows aggressive behavior each time, as well as the owner's behavior at that time. For example, whether it is suddenly attacked when being petted, or whether there is an aggressive reaction when the toy or food is taken away. Through these meticulous observations and records, the "trigger" that causes the aggression can be gradually found, and targeted training can be carried out.

Desensitization training is one of the effective methods to correct a dog's aggressive behavior. If the dog has an aggressive reaction to a specific touch or item, the owner can start from a distance away from the trigger source, slowly approach the dog, and observe its reaction at the same time. Once the dog shows tension or unease, stop the action immediately. After it calms down, try again. In this process, for every successful approach, praise the dog in a gentle tone and give it a delicious snack as a reward, so that it gradually develops a positive association with the things it originally feared or resisted. For example, if the dog has an aggressive behavior when its paw is touched, the owner can gently place a snack near its paw when it is not paying attention, so that it realizes that the appearance of a human hand near its paw means a reward, not a threat. As the training progresses, gradually increase the intensity and duration of the touch.

Establishing the owner's leadership status is also very important. In the dog's world, a clear hierarchical order can make them feel at ease. The owner can let the dog understand who the "leader" is through daily life details, such as controlling the distribution of food and deciding the start and end of the game. When feeding, the owner should first let the dog sit quietly and wait for the command before giving the food. When playing, the owner should master the control of the toy and let the dog learn to obey the command to continue the game. This clear rule and order can reduce the dog's aggressive behavior caused by "status confusion".

In addition to training, emotional care is also indispensable. A dog's aggression towards its owner is essentially an external manifestation of its inner unease. The owner should give the dog enough company and a sense of security, spend time playing and walking with it every day, and communicate with it through gentle strokes and soft words. When the dog shows docile and friendly behavior, give praise and rewards in a timely manner to strengthen these positive behaviors. Through daily emotional investment, let the dog gradually let go of its vigilance and rebuild the trust in the owner.

Correcting a dog's behavior of being aggressive towards its owner or even biting its owner is a challenging journey. It requires the owner's professional knowledge, infinite patience, and deep love. In this process, there may be many difficulties, and the dog's progress may be very slow. But please believe that every effort is bringing you closer to each other. When the once aggressive dog snuggles up to you gently again and looks at you with trusting eyes, you will understand that all the efforts have made the bond between humans and dogs stronger, and have made your life full of warmth and joy again.