There are two common reasons why a dog is aggressive towards members of his own human family. He is trying to defend something he thinks of as his from a perceived threat (you).
This is known as resource guarding, and though it may sound innocuous, there’s actually a lot more going on here than your dog simply trying to keep his kibble to himself. He is not comfortable with the treatment/handling he is getting from you or other members of the family.
What is resource guarding? Resource guarding is pretty common among dogs. The term refers to overly-possessive behavior on behalf of your dog: for instance, snarling at you if you approach him when he’s eating, or giving you “the eye” (a flinty-eyed, direct stare) if you reach your hand out to take a toy away from him.
All dogs can be possessive from time to time as it is in their natures. Sometimes they are possessive over things with no conceivable value, inedible trash, balled up pieces of paper or tissue, old socks. More frequently, however, resource-guarding becomes an issue over items with a very real and understandable value such as food and toys.
Why does it happen?
It all boils down to the issue of dominance. Let me take a moment to explain this concept. Dogs are pack animals. This means that they are used to a very structured environment. In a dog-pack, each individual animal is ranked in a hierarchy of position and power (or “dominance”) in relation to every other animal.
Each animal is aware of the rank of every other animal, which means he knows specifically how to act in any given situation (whether to back down, whether to push the issue, whether to muscle in or not on somebody else’s turf, etc etc).
To your dog, the family environment is no different to the dog-pack environment. Your dog has ranked each member of the family, and has his own perception of where he ranks in that environment as well. This is where it gets interesting: if your dog perceives himself as higher up on the social totem-pole than other family members, he is going to get cheeky.
If he’s really got an over inflated sense of his own importance, he’ll start to act aggressively. Why? Because dominance and aggression are the exclusive rights of a superior-ranked animal. No underdog would ever show aggression or act dominantly to a higher-ranked animal (the consequences would be dire, and he knows it!)
Resource guarding is a classic example of dominant behavior. Only a higher-ranked dog (a “dominant” dog) would act aggressively in defense of resources. To put it plainly, if it was clear to your dog that he is not, in fact, the leader of the family, he’d never even dream of trying to prevent you from taking his food or toys because a lower-ranking dog (him) will always go along with what the higher-ranking dogs (you and your family) say.
So what can I do about it? The best treatment for dominant, aggressive behavior is consistent, frequent obedience work, which will underline your authority over your dog. Just two fifteen-minute sessions a day will make it perfectly clear to your dog that you are the boss, and that it pays to do what you say.
You can make this fact clear to him by rewarding him (with treats and lavish praise) for obeying a command, and isolating him (putting him in “time-out”, either outside the house or in a room by himself) for misbehavior.
- If you are not entirely confident doing this yourself, you may wish to consider enlisting the assistance of a qualified dog-trainer.
Brush up on your understanding of canine psychology and communication, so that you understand what he’s trying to say this will help you to nip any dominant behaviors in the bud, and to communicate your own authority more effectively.
Train regularly and keep obedience sessions short and productive (no more than fifteen minutes and maybe two or three of these per day).
Why doesn’t my dog like to be handled?
All dogs have different handling thresholds. Some dogs like lots of cuddles, and are perfectly content to be hugged, kissed, and have arms slung over their shoulders (this is the ultimate “I’m the boss” gesture to a dog, which is why a lot of them won’t tolerate it.)
Others are usually the ones not accustomed to a great deal of physical contact from a very young age and aren’t comfortable with too much full-body contact and will get nervy and agitated if someone persists in trying to hug them.
Another common cause of handling-induced aggression is a bad grooming experience such nail-clipping and bathing which are the two common culprits.
When you clip a dog’s nails, it’s very easy to “quick” him and that is, cut the blood vessel that runs inside the nail. This is extremely painful to a dog, and is a sure-fire way to cause a long-lasting aversion to those clippers.
Being washed is something that a great many dogs have difficulty dealing with and a lot of owners, when confronted with a wild-eyed, half-washed, upset dog, feel that in order to complete the wash they have to forcibly restrain him.
This only adds to the dog’s sense of panic, and reinforces his impression of a wash as something to be avoided at all costs and if necessary, to defend himself from it with a display of teeth and hackles.
Can I “retrain” him to enjoy being handled and groomed?
In a word, yes.
It’s a lot easier if you start from a young age and handle your puppy a lot, get him used to being touched and rubbed all over. Young dogs generally enjoy being handled and it’s only older ones who haven’t had a lot of physical contact throughout their lives that sometimes find physical affection difficult to accept.
Practice picking up his paws and touching them with the clipper; practice taking him into the bath (or outside, under the faucet or whatever works for you, but warm water is much more pleasant for a dog than a freezing spray of ice-water!), and augment the process throughout with lots of praise and the occasional small treat.
For an older dog that may already have had several unpleasant handling/grooming experiences, things are a little more difficult. You need to undo the damage already caused by those bad experiences, which you can do by taking things very slowly and with an emphasis on keeping your dog calm.
The instant he starts to show signs of stress stop immediately and let him relax. Try to make the whole thing into a game: give him lots of praise, pats, and treats.
Take things slowly. Don’t push it too far and if you get nervous, stop.
Dogs show aggression for a reason. They’re warning you to back off, or else! If your dog just can’t seem to accept being groomed, no matter how much practice you put in, it’s best to hand the job over to the professionals.
Your vet will clip his nails for you (make sure you tell him first that he gets aggressive when the clippers come out, so your vet can take the necessary precautions!). As far as washing and brushing goes, the dog-grooming business is a flourishing industry. For a small fee, you can get your dog washed, clipped, brushed, and whatever else you require by experienced professionals (again, make sure you tell them about your dog’s reaction to the experience first!)

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DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINING———————–MAKE THE PUPS KNOW WHO’S IN CHARGEHowever, they can be your worst enemy sometimes. HUNTING THE RIGHT HOUNDBut despite what those who breed and sell crossbreeds might try to tell you, these are not, nor will they likely ever be, recognized as purebred dogs. Sporting dogs that are alert, active and intelligent have historically been used by hunters to locate, flush or retrieve game from land or water. That’s part of the fun. Its name origins from the Latin terra, meaning “for earth”, most terriers were originally bred to “go to ground” after burrowing vermin, larger rodents and even foxes. Children and dogs make potentially blissful partners, but choosing a dog that actually likes to play with children is your best bet in orchestrating a match made in heaven. Scent hounds such as bloodhounds, beagles and foxhounds have historically aided hunters by following the scent trails left by their quarry. The national symbol of England, known for its strength and determination, it has been out of work since bull-baiting went out of fashion in the late 19th century. This is the list of dog Herding Breeds according to The American Kennel Club:Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Beauceron, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Border Collie, Bouvier des Flandres Briard, Canaan Dog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Collie, German Shepherd Dog, Old, English Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Puli, Shetland Sheepdog, Swedish Vallhund. Without the right training, some working dogs can be difficult to handle, even dangerous. Belonging to this group are some of the intelligent dog breeds which includes the admired German shepherd dog, most famous for its police work and the Border collies, the most intelligent of all breeds. Both routinely in the top five breeds, the Labrador retriever and the golden retriever together account for nearly one-quarter of the more than 1 million dogs registered with the AKC every year. A pampered, yet surprisingly active companion today, it once was a skilled truffle hunter. Consequently, these owners should also give them “work” that rewards their instincts. Like most terriers, this “king of terriers” has little time for other dogs, and if not properly supervised may engage in some street brawling. Even the famous racer, the greyhound, has proved to be a well-liked family pet. THE ANATOMY OF A CANINEIn addition, when dogs of similar stature meet up, one often bumps the other with the rear of its torso to get a feel for its potential rival’s body mass. A lot of information can be garnered from a quick sniff. The lolling tongue increases the surface area where evaporation can take place. You might as well read the information about it. Special taste receptors on their tongues are believed to allow canids to recognize chemical composition variancessuch as salt and impuritiesin different water sources. Like all mammals, the canid family is able to control body temperature through various physical functions. The long hair of the Lhasa apso is due to a naturally prolonged growth phase that was emphasized by selective breeding for thermal protection and aesthetic reasons. A small stopper pad, located higher up on the back of the leg, provides a better grip for walking or running on slick surfaces. Most mammals sweat to keep cool. Button Ears. Most hound dogs feature hanging or pendant ears, while many terriers have semi-erect button ears in which the tips fold over and hang in a V-shape, partially covering the opening. WHY THE HELP?Including sit, stay, come, fetch, stop, shake, speak, kiss, lie down, and more. Facts on Over 20 Popular Dog Breeds – Learn facts on the most popular dogs, including how to groom, exercise, and of course their ease of training by breed. You can actually see your dog wait next to the door when he/she needs to go out to use the bathroom. You would avoid mistakes done by most neophytes. ______________________________________________________dog training & obedience secretshttp://www.dog-learning-pro.com http://tinyurl.com/l48pja

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Before proceeding with clipping your dog, take care of the basic grooming needs. These important activities are essential to ensure your dog stays health on the outside. An un-groomed dog is at risk of harbouring various disease that can cause skin irritation. Dogs that are constantly uncomfortable will become irritable. Some dogs become so sensitive that they will snap or bite their owners where otherwise they would not.

Keep your dog well groomed will also help prevent your dog from getting some serious diseases like Lyme Disease.

The first steps to dog grooming are aimed at maintaining your dog’s luxurious coat, keeping the ears clean to prevent infections, and clipping the toe nails to keep them at a healthy length and in good condition.

Coat maintenance mainly consists of proper bathing to remove dirt, harmful bacteria and parasites from the dog’s skin. Combing and brushing brings the natural oils down into the hair to give it strength and shine as well as protection. A good healthy coat protects the dog’s skin from exposure to the elements as it provides an insulation that keeps out rain and cold as well as heat. Properly maintained, a dog’s coat allows air flow to the skin. This dries any moisture and dampness which can make the skin susceptible to skin eruptions and rashes.

Always use soaps that are designed for dogs as they are less likely to trigger allergies or skin irritations that are common with scented human products.

Brushing and combing can be a pleasurable time for you and your dog. It gives you a chance to interact in a non-threatening and non-disruptive manner. This personal touch helps you and your dog to bond to one another. This will prove beneficial when you are training your dog.

Use a soft brush that is designed for your particular type of dog. Thick, long-haired dogs need a brush with stronger bristles that will penetrate into the fur, whereas dogs with thin and fine hair are better with a softer brush. Be careful when brushing fine-haired dogs as heavy brushing can scratch the dog’s skin and make it sore and irritated.

It’s best to brush your dog every day for about 20 minutes each time. How long will be determined by the type of hair your dog has. Naturally, short haired dogs can be done in about 10 minutes while hair with a thick undercoat, such as the Chow or Husky will take longer. Yet other breeds can take as much as 30 minutes if the hair is quite long and tends to mat easily.

Some owners use a hair dryer after they bathe their dogs, but this will depend on whether it makes your dog nervous. Many dogs do not like the sound of a hair dryer. If you do use one, keep the setting on cool or cold as dogs cannot tolerate the hot settings.

Take care when clipping the dog’s claws. Be careful not to catch the nerve end inside the nail which can cause bleeding and stinging. Use proper sharp dog nail clippers. This will create a clean cut, unlike dull clippers that can splinter the nail, leaving rough edges. If a dog scratches himself, the sharp edges can cause injuries to the skin.

Nail clipping and brushing are best done on a raised surface to make it easier for you.

Clean out your dog’s ears with a cotton swab to remove built-up wax, dirt and any other foreign material. Check to see if any parasites or infection are present. If they are, see your vet for proper treatment.

Make grooming a priority and do it regularly and you will avoid many unnecessary problems for you and your dog.

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