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    Bay de Noc Kennel Club   

    Aggression in dogs can take several forms. It may show up as the dog that guards his food, toys or space. A fearful dog may show aggression as a defense mechanism. Or a dog may simply decide that he is in charge and use aggression to reinforce his rules. Whatever the form, an "attitude adjustment" is indicated, using the Nothing in Life is Free (NILIF) program. This program allows you to address the dog's aggression issues in a safe, humane, and non-confrontational way.

    Before you start the NILIF program it is important that you make sure there is no physical or medical reason for your dog's attitude. You should schedule a vet's appointment to rule out any health related reasons for his aggression.

      You must avoid circumstances that will elicit the aggression, at least for now. Also do not punish the dog for growling or snapping. Punishment may make the behavior stop, but it will NOT stop the aggression. It may in fact, actually increase the chance of serious bites.

    The first step is to start changing your dog's attitude about its place in the household. It is very important that everyone in the household understands and follows these rules.

    1. Take away all of your dog's "things". Food, food bowl, water, toys, treats, EVERYTHING. From now on they are yours, not his. He will no longer be allowed on your bed, or any furniture. Keep a leash on him at all times. This is so you can lead him off the furniture without getting your hands near him.

    2. Go back to basic obedience; practice sit-stays and especially down-stays. If you have never done these with your dog before, sign up for an obedience class as soon as possible.

    3. Four to five times a day make him do a down, then give him a drink. If he won't lie down, do not let him drink. Put the water bowl up and leave for 10 minutes then try again.

    4. Isolate the dog in a crate or block off a room away from the family with a baby gate. While the dog is isolated no one should speak to, pet or otherwise interact with the dog. Do this for a few weeks. You want the dog to do ANYTHING to be out with you. You want your dog to be thrilled to have any attention.

    5. Feed the dog 2 times a day, making the dog do a sit or down before getting the food. Tell him to sit ONLY ONCE. If he refuses to obey, take his food away. Wait 10 minutes and try again. Do this until he responds to the first command.

    If your main problem is that the dog is food aggressive, then make it very clear to him that you control the food. With his empty food bowl on the floor  feed him by placing ONE piece of food at a time into his bowl. Make him sit or down before every piece of food. As his responses improve gradually increase the number of pieces you feed him at one time. Keep your hand on the food bowl while he eats. If he growls at any time go back to one piece at a time. You must work at this until the dog is comfortable with ANYONE standing near him, while he eats before you can resume normal feedings.

    6. Gradually add privileges. At first he may spend 20 minutes twice a day with the family, remember he must do SOMETHING to be with the rest of the family (even stupid pet tricks will do). Do not go from isolation to full house privileges in one day.

    7. Once the dog is allowed out for an extended period of time with the family put him on a leash and tie him to your waist for an hour each day, where you go he must follow. This reinforces your position as the leader.

    8. Make your dog do "SOMETHING" for everything he wants. Want a cookie? Do a down. Want to go out? Do a sit-stay. The dog must earn everything. Play, food, water, a walk, coming inside, petting, everything.

    9. All play, all petting, all fun must be initiated by you. If the dog tries to get you to play, ignore him. When he gives up, you initiate the game. You also decide when the game is over.

10. For dogs that resent giving up toys, practice "trading". If they give up the toy, give a treat or another toy. Always reward surrendering an object. Make the dog believe that giving up something will get him something better.

    Take each step slowly. As long as the dog's attitude stays good, then continue to add privileges. If he backslides, and he probably will, then do not be afraid to backup a step or two until his attitude improves. Employing this program consistently gives you a good chance of solving aggression problems.

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