I have never had an aggressive dog until I got Gracie. She did show aggressive tendencies as a puppy that actually scared me a bit. I had never had a terrier and was stumped at first about how to deal with this personality issue. I found the rolled up newspaper thing worked best. She never bit me or even attempted to except in play but she would challenge me and growl at times. The rolled up newspaper hit against the coffee table or my hand really impressed her. The loud noise catches their attention when they are in the midst of a power play. I felt like I was being mean using the newspaper but it worked. Now I have a very tenacious but well behaved little dog. She knows she is not in charge. She may push her boundaries now and then but if I pull out that rolled up newspaper her memory of the rules comes back quickly.
Terriers do have a tendency to be aggressive and that tendency needs to be nipped in the bud. You cannot hit or bully them or it will make the problem worse. There is a certain tone of voice they respond to as well. It is not how loud but how dominating you sound that matters. |