November 30th, 1999
The Purpose of Fear in Relation to Aggression: Part Two
Part One talked about the purpose of fear in relation to aggression. Part Two focuses on how to face the fear and assume power or become the Alpha in your relationship with your dog.
If you are reading this article perhaps you have been bitten by your dog or a strange dog. As we know fear is a natural response to being bitten as that is what it is designed to do. However, conquering fear means looking at fear square in the eye. It means transcending the natural response through the power of your will and using the energy behind this powerful emotion like a mighty oar on a vast ocean. Conquering fear starts with a decision backed by courage. Without a solid commitment to conquer fear one cannot override fear as it cripples and consumes its host much like the Grim Reaper paying its chosen victim a visit: it's hard to turn back on this scary voyage.
In the body fear shows up as a shaking quality with a shrinking away of confidence with a wide-eyed stare. The anticipation of being bitten takes over the focus of the victim and this is unnerving. The only way to conquer this emotion is to shift your mind into a different thought pattern as well as a completely different emotion which is ANGER. Being angry in our western culture is considered a negative emotion but I assure you it is a purposeful emotion when conquering fear. If you think about how this situation is taking over your soul and weakening you even though you are the one paying the bills and being taken advantage of it is much easier to harness the power of anger replacing fear. An empowering thought such as, "I'M MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GONNA TAKE THIS ANY MORE!!!!" works as an effective mantra for invoking anger. This needs to be done while working with the aggressive dog best done wearing a muzzle.
Depending on your unique case with aggression it is best to work with a qualified professional to help you overcome your fear.
But at some point you must do it all on your own which means establishing your Alpha status. It means shifting the balance of power. Now your dominant dog does not want to give up power. He will fight to keep it at all costs. So there will be a power struggle. This is normal. Using a muzzle will help a great deal to make you feel safe and better able to switch from fear to anger. But once your dog has tasted a higher rank he won't want to lose it and he will always remember that place of power until the day he dies and will always test you to get it back. Always.
Facing fear takes a rock solid commitment and a true love for your dog that goes beyond the common humanizing relationship most people have with their dogs. True love for your dog means unlearning old patterns that have created a weak leader status and developing a powerful Alpha role. Shifting out of fear into anger comes from changing your mental focus from "I can't do this..." to "I AM POWERFUL". Your dog will have no other option but to submit. The day he submits to you and stops biting you will see a surrender in the body that accompanies a physical release and a melding of energy between you and your dog. It is a beautiful beautiful feeling to experience and one you will never forget.
For more information on aggression or to submit a question to Susan:
http//:www.channelanimal.com
info@canineminds.com