How to Deal with Dogs that are Aggressive towards Other Dogs

Your dog isn't going to like every dog he meets - and this is perfectly normal canine behavior. But if he's regularly biting or picking fights with other dogs, you've got a problem on your hands.

Most dogs learn the rules of the game by playing with their littermates. They soon find out that other puppies won't play with an animal that bites too hard. By spending his first two months with his family, a puppy learns from his mother the proper way to communicate with other dogs. For this reason, orphan puppies, and those who were taken from their litter at too young an age, are most likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors to other dogs.

Start Young

The best way to combat the problem is to start young. Enroll your pet in puppy kindergarten to begin exposing him to friendly dogs. You may also want to introduce him to some adult dogs, but first make sure they are healthy and vaccinated. Keep these sessions indoors until your pup has completed his series of vaccinations.

In many cases, barking and biting comes down to hormones. Unneutered dogs tend to be more aggressive than their neutered counterparts, and a lot of problems can be solved by neutering males early - preferably before they are 6 to 8 months old.

Spaying females does not have the same positive affect regarding inter-dog aggression. Unlike aggression between two males, which usually involves a lot of posturing, barking, spitting and puffing up, fights between females are more serious. There usually is a greater risk of injury. If your female dog has shown aggression to other dogs, it is best to seek professional help.

Learn the Warning Signs

Common sense goes a long way, too, and this means careful managing of your dog. Learn to read your pet's body postures so that you can anticipate and ward off any aggressive behaviors. If your dog starts growling or barking when he sees another canine across the street, simply turn around and walk the other way. Don't put your dog in a situation in which he can harm other animals. Some owners exacerbate aggression between dogs by pulling too tightly on their dog's leash. This can pull the animal up on his toes, which may be interpreted by other dogs as an aggressive stance.

If your aggressive dog is an adult, work with a professional trainer. Some humane societies even offer classes for older dogs with behavioral problems. Canines in these classes often wear muzzles until they learn to relax around other dogs. But even working with a professional is no guarantee that the problem will be completely solved, especially if your dog is older. In most cases, a dog that shows aggression to other dogs will need careful monitoring.