You just want to have a nice, peaceful home but you can’t because your dog is aggressive towards your roommate. Why is your dog being like this? Why does your dog not like your roommate? And why do they growl at your roommate, will they eventually get over this and start to like them?

Today, we’re going to answer all of these questions and most importantly, we’ll tell you how to stop your dog being aggressive towards your roommate. Imagine being able to come without worrying about how your dog is going to act! That’ll be nice, won’t it? Of course! So then, let’s get to our article “My Dog Is Aggressive Towards My Roommate.”

How to Stop Your Dog Being Aggressive Towards Your Roommate

To stop your dog being aggressive towards your roommate, you need to socialize them with each other. But don’t force things on your dog. If your dog is being aggressive towards your roommate, don’t push the issue by having them hand-fed treats or being petted. You need to take things slowly and go at your dog’s pace.

Try having the two play a game your dog enjoys like fetch. Have your roommate toss the ball, but you should take it back from your dog. Your roommate should then toss them a treat, with you both giving them praise. You can give them pets during this too, but your roommate should still wait before interacting like that.

Your dog will quickly make positive associations with your roommate. They’ll need to be patient and not push things with your dog, but they can begin getting closer when your pup shows they’re ready. Look for signs like play bows and wagging their tail at your roommate.

If they haven’t yet met, get your roommate to let you have something with their scent on it so they can accustomed to their smell before meeting. Next, make the first introduction somewhere neutral that your dog enjoys, like at the park. Finally, before returning home have your roommate go first so that they’ll be there when your dog arrives.

You can then begin working with them on the steps we covered regarding play and treats.

Still, you need to address what was causing your dog to respond with aggression in the first place. Regardless of whether it was rooted in fear or feeling the need to protect you or themselves, your dog’s aggression issue is ultimately rooted in the same thing. And to explain that, we need to first quickly go over what makes dogs tick.

You’ve probably heard before that dogs are pack animals, and that in every pack there is a pack leader. When your dog is aggressive with your roommate or others, then they are essentially telling you that they don’t trust your abilities as the family pack leader. If they did, they wouldn’t feel the need to lash out like this.

But that’s okay, because this is a very common issue — you haven’t failed your dog. And it’s also easily correctable, provided that you have the right instructions to follow.

Show your dog that you are not just their pack leader, but a capable one that can handle things, and your dog will stop being aggressive towards your roommate and others. You’ll also be able to put a stop to other behavioral issues you’re likely having, or will be soon. That will be nice, won’t it?

“Sure, but how am I supposed to do that?”

You should watch an excellent free video series which is on just this subject — how to be your dog’s pack leader — by a renowned trainer named Dan. In the series, he’ll show you absolutely everything you need to know in ways that are very easy to understand and to teach to your own dog, and he gets right to the point so that you’ll start seeing these important changes in no time.

Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. And don’t worry, because you’re not going to have to be mean to your dog. In fact, you won’t even have to raise your voice. Dan only uses 100% humane and loving training methods at all times. Not just because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it’s the only way to achieve long-lasting, fast results with your dog.

Why Does My Dog Not Like My Roommate?

Your dog does not like your roommate because they cause them fear and anxiety. Your roommate is doing something unwittingly to make your dog nervous about them. In most cases, your dog just needs some more time and experience around your roommate, particularly if your dog has not been socialized much.

Your dog also may feel the need to protect you if they don’t feel like they can trust your roommate. But regardless of the reason your dog doesn’t like your roommate, you should begin addressing things right away. Fear and a need to protect could both quickly lead to lashing out and getting aggressive with your roommate. Obviously, no one wants that.

Without being properly handled, you could give your dog the impression that acting negatively towards your roommate is okay, or that you can’t help them with their fears. Soon, your dog will be doing things like getting aggressive with the neighbors, barking at the mailman, biting your visitors, or even biting you.

You can stop all of these, and teach your dog to get along with your roommate, by using behavioral training. Go back to the first section of this article where we’ll go over how to do that.

Why Does My Dog Growl at My Roommate?

Your dog growls at your roommate because they are threatened. When a dog growls, it’s their way of warning this person that they’re uncomfortable and they need to back off. If your roommate doesn’t listen and continues getting closer or doing things that make the dog uncomfortable, then you could be looking at a potential bite situation.

Your dog growling at your roommate isn’t uncommon, but it’s certainly not something that’s ever acceptable. Dogs may do these sorts of things (having descended from wolves), but that doesn’t mean that it’s okay. Doing nothing gives your dog the idea that the behavior is okay and maybe even encouraged, so you need to do something before they start biting your roommate or others.

Clearly, you do not want anything like this happening, so it’s important that you begin taking care of your dog’s behavior right away using behavioral training. You can go back to the first section now, where we’ll give you the steps you need to do that.

Will My Dog Eventually Learn to Like My Roommate?

Your dog will eventually learn to like your roommate if you properly socialize them. It’s not unusual for puppies or younger dogs to be less trusting of those that they don’t know, so don’t stress too much if they don’t warm up to your roommate right away.

By having your roommate engage with your dog in the right way, your pup should learn to like your roommate and trust them, regardless of whether they’re a puppy or an older dog. Continue to the next section where we’ll give you some tips on how to get your dog to like your roommate.

I’m sure you’re ready to have a peaceful home where you don’t have to worry about what your dog might do, so I’ll let you get started now. Good luck with everything, and thank you for reading this article “My Dog Is Aggressive Towards My Roommate.”