Different people behave differently and have different needs and different minds. The same goes for dogs. Some dogs are calm and friendly by nature and will not show any aggression whatsoever while others can easily display their aggression, even when only slightly provoked.

What can you do if you get an aggressive dog or a dog that bites? There are a few options, but before you start seeking help from professionals, ask yourself: "Why does my dog bite or is overly aggressive?" If you already know the answer, then you can try training your dog to avoid this unwanted behavior. If your dog bites when someone tries to touch his toys or food, then either tell everyone in your household that they should not touch his toys or food (passive solution) or stand in front of him and firmly set your rules and show him that you are the leader and not him (active solution). If he shows aggression, take his food away for a while or his toys until he calms down. Show him that you mean business and that you will not let him treat you that way. You have to be patient and consistent at whatever you try to teach your dog.

If you have tried removing your dog's aggression yourself and it has not worked, seek professional help from a dog behaviorist or dog trainer. It is better than giving up on him and dumping him at a shelter where most likely he will get euthanized or put down because of his previous history of aggressive behavior and biting. The professional behaviorist may recommend to you to rehome the dog with someone who has more time to work with the dog and has more experience with your dog's breed. If you have small children, and the dog keeps biting them, the best solution would be to rehome the dog as small children do not understand things like adults do and may not be able to always follow our instructions regarding how to behave around the dog. I think that you will agree that rehoming is a much better solution for both you and the dog than euthanizing the dog that may still be able to live a happy life with someone else.

Even the dog that had been labeled as vicious and aggressive can find a good home with someone who understands what the dog's needs are and how to avoid being attacked by this dog. Some dogs may show aggression because they are bored and frustrated and need more exercise and mental stimulation. Some dogs may bite people because they have been traumatized in the past and are afraid of people. Some dogs may be ill or feel pain and, as a result, they will not be in the mood to be touched and may bite people who come too close to them. This is why an aggressive dog should be checked by a veterinarian before even hiring a professional dog behaviorist or trainer because if your dog is sick, they will not be able to help your dog. 

Whatever you do, consider you options and do not give up on a dog too quickly. Be patient and do whatever is in your power to help your dog overcome aggression and biting. If you are not successful after trying all of your options, consider rehoming your dog. Leaving the dog at the shelter to be euthanized is the last thing you should consider when all else has failed.

There are two groups of people, those who use electric shock collars or training collars on their dogs and swear by them and those who do not use them and think that anyone who does use shock collars is irresponsible and cruel. Both sides are correct to some extent but it all depends on how and when you use the shock collar.

Electric shock collars can be a very useful tool in training a dog if used properly. You may say, why shock the dog when there are more humane ways to train a dog and teach him what he can do and cannot do? One reason some people prefer using electric shock collars because they tried all of the other methods and were unsuccessful. Depending on the dog, some dogs can be harder to train and will not always listen on command. As a result, the owner does not have complete confidence in the dog and the most effective way they find to train their dog and have full control over him is to use a shock collar. 

Are electric shock collars painful and can they hurt my dog? Yes, they can be painful but most modern shock collars have different levels or settings so that you can adjust the level of electronic stimulation that the collar produces so that they are safe to use on any size dog. Most of them even come with a hand-held remote control so that you can train your dog from a distance. Make sure that you have read the instructions before putting a shock collar on your dog because you can hurt your dog if you do not use it properly.

After a few times of experiencing the electric stimulation, the dog will learn what he is allowed to do and what the undesirable behavior is. Afterward, you do not even have to use the electronic stimulation as many new collars can also emit sounds such as "Good" or "Bad" or specific tone for good and bad behavior. That way, when your dog does something desirable, you press the button that will make the collar say "Good" or emit the tone for good. You can then proceed to praise your dog and/or give him a treat. If your dog does something undesirable, you press the button that will make the collar say "Bad" or emit the tone for bad but will not electronically stimulate the dog. Usually after a few times of electronic stimulation, the dog will learn what he is not supposed to do and further stimulation will not be necessary.

Whatever your position is on electric shock collars, you have to understand the advantages and disadvantages of such collars. For someone who does not have a fenced yard or cannot build a fence, electric shock collars are be a great way to let your dog safely run free around your property. It will stop your dog from getting hit by a car which happens way too often. I would not use an electric shock collar as the main training tool. If the dog can be trained by a professional trainer, then shock collars are unnecessary. If you have a hard case where you tried training your dog by hiring a professional trainer and were unsuccessful, then I can understand the need for such tools.

When used properly, shock collars can be a great training aid, but they should not be your primary training method nor should they replace all of the other traditional training methods. Before considering using an electric shock collar on your dog, I would consult with a professional trainer and a veterinarian first to make sure that the method you chose to use to train your dog is the appropriate one to correct your dog's behavior.

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A common problem of all dog owners is their dogs licking their paws. Why do some dogs lick or chew their paws? There are several reasons so let's list them first and see what is your dog's reason. Paw licking and chewing is a serious condition that should be stopped or prevented and not allowed to persist. Such behavior can become a habit even after the dog has been treated for the condition. If you allow it to become a habit, then you will have a harder time breaking this bad habit. 

Reasons for your dog licking his paw include:

Physical Injury to the Paw - cuts, sprains, strains, bruises

To identify a physical injury, check your dog's paws carefully for any cuts, embedded objected between the toes/pads, redness between the toes/pads, swelling or sores. If the paw that the dog is licking is much warmer than the other paws or exhibits redness or swelling, in most cases this means there is an infection that can be treated with different antiseptic and antibacterial solutions. If it is a bacterial infection, do not use any creams. Creams will only trap the bacteria inside and prevent air to get through to the infected area to dry and heal it causing even more discomfort. Sometimes a broken nail or a nail that is too long and is pushing back against the paw can cause a lot of discomfort. Make sure that you regularly trim your dog's nails. 

Allergic Reaction

The symptoms of an allergy include redness, itchiness, and swelling of the paws. Have you changed your dog's food recently or his diet? If you did and your dog started to lick or chew his paws, he could be allergic to the new food. Change your dog's diet until the allergic reactions disappear. Other allergens could be insect bites, like bites from ticks, mites, flies and mosquitoes. Your dog could even be allergic to pollen (inhaled allergy or canine atopy) and certain types of grass which can be confirmed if your dog licks his paws or chews them every time he goes outside and plays in the grass. Your dog can also be allergic to the soap you are using to clean his toys, bowls or your carpets. The shampoo you use when giving him a bath could also be an allergen. Try to use only shampoos or soaps that are approved for dogs. Check also the fertilizer that you use for your grass. Make sure that it has a label stating that it is safe for pets. Even then, you should not let your dog play in the grass right after you applied the fertilizer and watered your lawn. Allow at least 24 hours before you let the dog play in the grass. When treating allergies, some dogs respond well to antihistamines such as Benadryl, other allergy medication and medicated shampoos. Before using any medications such as Benadryl, please consult with your veterinarian first.

Cracked, Dry and Itchy Winter Paws

When your dog goes outside for a walk and his paws get in contact with the wet snow, ice and chemicals such as deicers and road salt, it can cause irritation to the paw pads. Road salt is known to dry the paw pads leading to cracking and infections. This can be prevented by having the dog wear boots, but as we all know, how many dogs want to wear boots? A very popular and effective product made especially for dogs who do not like to wear boots is Musher's Secret - The Invisible Shield - 200 gm. It will prevent burns caused by ice, salt, chemicals, sand, and hot pavement. It is absolutely safe for your dog since it is made from 100% natural waxes that are non-toxic, non-allergenic and will not leave any stains. It is perfect for mushing, ski-jorring, hunting, walking, or before any outdoor activity. An alternative way to solve the problem is to apply Vaseline Petroleum Jelly to the paw pads and between the toes before going for a walk and this will keep his paws moisturized and protected from irritants like salt and deicers. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly can also be used when your dog's paw pads are dry and cracked. Remember to wash and thoroughly dry your dog's feet after coming from a walk to wash off the salt and dirt and prevent bacteria from developing. However, Vaseline Petroleum Jelly will not protect your dog's paws from frostbite. To prevent frostbite, only take the dog for a walk when it is warmer outside or limit the amount of time the dog spends outside. You could also try to put boots on the dog's feet to prevent frostbite.

Fungal Infection

If your dog licks his paws constantly, this can lead to a fungal infection which can be treated with an anti-fungal solution. The reason is that constant moisture and wetness of the paws encourages fungal growth, especially between the toes. Proper grooming such as the trimming of the hair between the toes can prevent moisture from collecting and increase the airflow between the toes keeping the paws dry.

Stress and Boredom

When dogs are stressed, they will chew or lick their paws to relax themselves. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety or any form of anxiety, you need to use behavioral therapy to solve this problem. Also, when dogs are bored, they may resort to chewing their own paws just to release that excess energy and frustration that is built inside them. This is why it is very important to walk your dog regularly and provide plenty of exercise and mind stimulation.

We all know that dogs occasionally like to eat grass, but why they do it is still not fully proven. There are a couple theories, but the two most prominent ones are that either dogs like the smell and taste of grass and eat it as a result or because their stomach is upset and they want to throw up the food that cannot be digested properly. Recently, more and more dog owners believe their dogs eat grass because they like its sweet smell and taste.

We all know that dogs are mainly carnivores but can also be omnivores and opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat vegetables and fruits if hungry or to keep their diet balanced, but their main diet is meat. So, when we take our dogs for a walk, they are looking around for different smells, as well as, feeding opportunities. The smell of the grass makes them want to try it. The problem is that they cannot completely chew the thin grass blades, so they swallow them. This causes a tickling/irritating sensation in their throats and stomach which makes them want to throw up. Hence, it is not that they eat grass to throw up or because their stomach hurts, but they eat grass because they like it.

I fully believe this is true since our dog wants to eat grass almost every time we go for a walk, especially the fresher and softer blades that have just recently grown. Many other dog owners concur with this fact and also say that their dogs eat grass every time they are in contact with it. This is good news! We all now know that our dogs are not possessed or crazy and that their stomachs are not upset every day of the week. I think that we can confidently say that we have found the answer as to why dogs eat grass.

While it is normal for dogs to eat grass, you need to be careful so that the dog does not eat grass that has been treated with an insecticide, herbicide, fertilizer or other harmful chemicals. When walking your dog, it is best to watch your dog constantly to make sure that he does not stop to eat the grass as most grass on the street and in parks is treated with some chemicals.