How do you break a mean dog?

Question

I have a dog who is a mutt i was told he is basset and lab but he is very aggressive towards people and other dogs he doesn't know. My boyfriend has 2 Cane Corsos' and my dog is very mean and vicious and i want to break him of that. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Please don't 'break' your dog. He's not a horse!

If your dog is showing aggressive behaviour it could have many causes. Often if a dog is insecure or rescued then they become more possessive of their owners and jealous of other dogs. You need to see a canine specialist who can evaluate your specific situation.

Here are some tips:
1.Have the dog neutered because many male dogs guard possessions and owner aggressively. Three months after operation, you should see signs of improvement.
2. Never hit your dog
3. Don't 'baby' your dog and let them think that they are in charge of you.
4. Walk your dog on a short leash and don't let them walk ahead of you, teach him to respond to you. Be patient walk forwards and then when he pulls ahead of you. Stop until is calm and not excited again. Keep doing this eventually he'll realise that the quickest way to get places is to follow you.
5. As soon as he makes any indication that he's going to growl make a short tug at his leash. You need to interrupt his barking - you could have a jar of coins usually does it.

Dogs are not mean by nature - they have been trained into it so usually they can be trained out of it.

Good luck.

Answer 2

A mean and vicious dog, you should get help from a professional trainer, who specializes in dogs like that.

Your basset x lab, is he aggressive in that he is barking and lunging, or does he go after people?
If he isn't actually aggressive, but is just not socialized, then you might be able to just socialize him more..
More likely tho they should both be meeting with the trainer and dealing with their problems. Unless you know dogs well, then you shouldn't play around with things like that. Kind of like if you aren't an electrician, you shouldn't be playing with electricity, both are dangerous, and deadly.

Answer 3

First, are all of these dogs spayed or neutered? If not, get 'em done! This can have a huge effect on behavior.

Also, before you can "break" his aggressive behavior, you need to pin point the cause. Is it dog on dog only, male on male only, is it while he is on leash only...there are many questions to be answered.

This could be fear aggression, dominance aggression, you really need to know what you are dealing with in order to modify the behavior. The wrong technique will leave your dog more dangerous, more likely to attack/bite, and more likely to distrust you.

Answer 4

LOTS OF PATIENCE, praise, love and understanding. If he had a previous owner..he may have been abused,attacked,neglected,etc. It will take alot of time...first you need to make sure that he obeys commands (like heel,sit,etc.) and when this is perfected you can introduce him (in a safe environment) to other animals so that he doesn't feel threatened. It's a very slow procedure to REtrain a dog. I know this because I rescue animals and VERY often they have been abused. If you would like more info. I used wyandot county Hope refuge for instructional procedures. It is in Ohio and I did it all by e-mail and telephone. Good luck.

Answer 5

I agree that if he is not neutered you should do so. Also talk to some trainers and give him discipline. Please donot take this to mean abuse him, there is a difference. You must also realize the dog may not be broken, he may be too old and set in his ways. Even if you do find him to be socialble in the future, you must always be wary with him. Do not leave hima alone with children or other animals ever.

Answer 6

First if its not neutered you should get that done. Next you have to scold it. Don't yell at him but scold him in a angry deep voice. Dogs really don't understand what you are saying but they tell by the tone in your voice. Also you could grab him by the scruff of the neck squeez and scold. This is what the mother does in the wild.

Answer 7

If u get ur do fixed sometimes it makes them meaner but what helped my dog settle down is studding him out in the two weeks since we studded him he is 10 times calmer

Answer 8

Discipline is the key. You need to be consistent. Whenever he does something bad, you need to be strict and consistent. You don't need to hurt the dog but you need to show him who's the boss.

Answer 9

Take him to a pet trainers. They do that sort of stuff.... for a fee.

Answer 10

watch the dog whisperer.