As a dog owner, it’s your job to protect both your dog and those around him from any aggressive behavior. To do this, you need to learn to recognize the warning signs of aggression. This means that it’s time to remove him from the situation and give him time to calm down.
Why is my Husky Acting Aggressively?
Does your dog growl or bark at new people? Does he lunge at dogs as they pass by?
These behaviors are all commonly associated with aggression and reactivity. But, you need to explore the root of why your dog is acting this way.
For most dogs, aggression is an attempt to communicate that they are fearful or anxious.
Early signs of aggression include growling, snarling, showing their teeth, and snapping. These behaviors are used as a warning.
Your husky wants you, and anyone else involved, to understand that the’s not comfortable. He’s also making it clear that he will escalate to something worse if the situation isn’t resolved.
If you see your husky showing these signs of being fearful, you need to act immediately.
Remove your husky from the situation that is making him uncomfortable. This could mean going to another room or separating him from another dog that is triggering his fear.
If you fail to act quickly, those warning signs can escalate into something more serious, like a bite.
How to Deal with Your Aggressive Husky
Build Your Husky’s Confidence
The most important thing that you can do for your husky is to help him build confidence.
If the root cause of his aggression is fear, you can reduce the problem by making him less fearful. This means helping him build his confidence in new situations.
Don’t throw your dog-aggressive husky into the pen at your local dog park and hope for the best. Instead, try hanging out with your husky 20 feet away from the dog park.
This will allow him to experience the smells, sounds, and sights from a safe distance. As he becomes more confident, you can slowly move closer.
Prevent Dangerous Situations
Know your dog and its triggers. This will allow you to prevent problems before they happen.
For example, if you know your husky is afraid of strangers, advocate for him. Don’t allow anyone to approach your dog when you are out and about.
If your husky is fearful of other dogs, avoid dog parks and off-leash areas like dog beaches and trails.
Prevention is the most important step when it comes to dealing with an aggressive husky.
Teach Him to Respond Calmly
One way to help your husky respond appropriately is by teaching the “place” command.
This command tells him to go to a designated bed, blanket, or mat and lay down calmly until released. You can help him stay calm by distracting him with a tasty chew or his favorite chew toy.
Start by training this at home. Use a mat or bed that you can easily bring along when visiting new locations.
If your dog becomes worked up or upset, direct him to his “place” to calm down.
