Aggression is a 99.9% fear based behavior. Proper exposure to anything and everything from early puppyhood is the key to raising a well-adjusted adult dog.
In these 3 images from the Dog Decoder app you’ll see the pose, the information and finally the details showing each body part that is being expressed through Diamond’s body language.
It is so easy not to have your dog grow up to be aggressive with skateboarders, bikers and big wheels, etc. by exposing them early on. Whenever I see a skateboarder I ask if they have time to meet my puppy and show them their skateboard. Most of the time they are very willing. What kid doesn’t like a cute puppy.
Now that I have their attention and the skateboard, I move it just a little and then a little more. They I step on it and make it move only an inch. All of this is done with patience and allowing the dog to sniff and come back when afraid of the noise.
Then I’ll put some treats on the skateboard and when the pup has happily taken the treats off the skateboard I’ll put more on and move it having the dog eating treats off the moving skateboard. I’ll be done for the day with this short yet very successful training session. Next day I’ll find another boarder and do the same thing adding the person to the skateboard moving the board just a little and then having them give treats when they stop. Then I’ll ask the person to skate by us as we walk offering treats to the puppy while they’re skating. Next, I’ll ask them to stop and sit with us for a few minutes while we chat and the board is just there but while we’re chatting I’ll be stepping on one end of the board lifting up the other end gently letting it come down making a little more noise and so on until a skateboard going by making loud noises will not even effect my pup except for wondering why they don’t come with treats any more.
Again, the key to not having an aggressive dog is proper exposure and socialization in baby steps. Remember everything in your world is an opportunity to train and rase a healthy and happy puppy into an emotionally stable adult dogs.
This is one of 60 images lovingly illustrated by Lili Chin of Doggie Drawings and our mission is to educate people about what dogs are trying so hard to tell us helping to keep dogs and humans safe.