Habits That Raise Your Dogs Probability Of Aggression

Homeowners with dogs present higher risks to insurers than those who do not own dogs because of the threat of personal injury claims arising out of dog bites. For this reason, you are likely to face higher rates if you own a specific breed of dog than if you don't have one. Moreover, dogs that have a history of aggression are likely to raise your insurance rates because of the associated claims. Therefore, you need to avoid habits that may make your dog more aggressive, habits such as:

Physically Punishing Him or Her

Physical punishments such as zapping with a shock collar, hitting or kicking the dog can make your dog terrified of people. This is bad because when a terrified dog feels cornered, he or she can easily get aggressive to defend himself or herself. Physical punishment may only work if it is metered out by a professional dog trainer who understands the correct way of doing it.

Using Its Name When Angry

Dogs are very good at forming associations between different things, they will associate your behavior and mood when you call them. Therefore, if you yell your dog's name (for example when he or she does something bad) and punish him, then he or she will associate the name with bad things. This is especially true if there is a time lapse between your calling and his or her coming because dogs do not understand the concept of time lapse. It is best if you don't get angry with your dog whenever you call him or her. That way, he or she will always come to you when you call.

Yelling Without Constructive Information

A child may instinctively tell that you don't like what he or she is doing when you yell out at him or her, but your dog can't. So when you merely yell or shout when he or she is tugging at the couch, for example, he or she can't tell what you want, and he or she may not react at all. This doesn't mean that your dog isn't obedient; it just means that you aren't reaching through to him or her.

Instead, you need to give him or her a direct and specific command such as "leave it." That way your dog will always respond when you need him or her to, for example, when threatening a neighbor's kid.

Trained dogs are easier to handle than untrained ones. Even your insurance company will look at your situation with kinder eyes if you show proof of obedience training. Also, talk to your agent about specific deterrents you may use to prevent your dog from causing injuries to other people. 

To learn more, contact an insurance company like Bailey Insurance Group.