Episodes > 104 > Pet Trainer

“Buster the Emporer ”

Did you ever think a dog could have a “Napoleon Complex”? Well, you haven’t met Buster!

The “Napoleon Complex”… “The Little Guy Syndrome”… “The Little Corporal”…we have all heard these terms that apply to someone who is small, and because he is small feels like he has to prove he is tough by being aggressive! Well, who would have thought this could apply to dogs as well?

Meet Buster…he is 10 pounds of antagonistic, combative, hostile, ferocious and anti-social mutt who is often referred to by his neighbors as “The Tasmanian Devil”. Buster is a small mutt who thinks he is a lion. He lives in a condo with his owners Mike & Charlotte Bowling and he’s destroying their social life by attacking their neighbor’s dogs…in the elevator…on the lawn…in the hallway - it doesn’t matter where, when the neighbors see Buster coming their way they quickly make an “exit stage right”.

So with the possibility of the Bowling’s becoming lonely and friendless the call went out to Coach White. When Coach met Buster for the first time he quickly determined that Buster was a “spoiled brat”! He was being babied too much and didn’t have enough structure. So…off to Boot Camp he went for 30 days.

Coach White taught Buster how to be social and friendly around other dogs. “Buster used to think he was the Boss”, said Coach White. It’s important for owners to be “the Big Dog” around the house and not let the dog run the show. Dominant dogs need dominant owners. Too much love and not enough structure…make a Buster!

HERE’S THE POOP

Controlling an aggressive dog can be very complicated and time consuming. It helps to know what kind of aggression your dog has. Below I’ve listed the top four types of dog aggression…

1. Dominant Aggression: These dogs think that they are the leader of the pack! They must be taught who the boss is!
2. Territorial Aggression: This also is seen in dominant dogs who stake out their territory like the back yard.
3. Fear Aggression: These dogs are controlled by their fear of strange people and places and are constantly nervous and skittish.
4. Prey Aggression: This dog instinctively chases anything that moves.