Does hitting my dog for bad behavior cause anxiety or aggression?

No, please don't ever hit Dusty - striking your dog is never acceptable for training, and this approach often makes aggressive behavior worse in the long run. Aggression towards strangers is caused by fear - Dusty is anxious and stressed about seeing people he doesn't know, and behaves aggressively towards them as a way of trying to get them to go away. Striking him or using other types of punishment may temporarily seem to "work" by suppressing the outward signs of aggression, but they will only make him more fearful of strangers - many dogs trained this way may appear to be calmer for a while, only to attack more viciously than ever one day when they simply can't take it anymore. Instead, aggressive behavior towards strangers is treated by teaching the dog to associate good things (usually treats) with seeing someone new. You need to start at a distance where he is comfortable, and gradually move closer as long as he is doing well. This can be very challenging to do safely with a dog who already has a history of attacking and biting people, so I would definitely recommend getting in touched with a board-certified veterinary behaviorist who can help you with this in person. Your veterinarian should be able to help you find one in your area.

Hi there. This situation is precisely why we do not recommend any kind of harsh discipline - this is a common trigger for aggression in many dogs, as it makes them feel threatened and they may become aggressive to try and defend themselves. Dogs do not think they are "alpha" - this is a myth, and does not accurately describe the underlying causes of most problem behavior. I would recommend discontinuing this type of punishment immediately, as it may very well cause you to be bitten and will not help resolve the behavior issues you're having. It's likely that your dog simply needs to be taught in a positive way what you DO want him to do, rather than being punished for doing things you don't like. You can find a good reward-based trainer in your area here to help guide you: www.ccpdt.org A great, practical book on dog training and behavior in general is "How To Behave So Your Dog Behaves", by Dr. Sophia Yin. I would highly recommend it if you're looking to learn more about how to train your dog effectively. Jean Donaldson's "The Culture Clash" is also excellent. :) For more information on dominance theory and why this is not a useful way to view dog behavior, see the position statement on this issue from the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT): https://ahimsadogtraining.com/dominance-training-position-statement-by-apdt/

The crate/cage should not be used as a "punishment". Neither should striking or "tapping" Penelope. Puppies will chew/bite when playing, bored, out of curiosity or when teething. Provide plenty of appropriate chew toys for Penelope. When she gets mouthy, a stern "No!" or "No bite!" should be uttered. Provide an appropriate chew toy then reward/praise her when she complies. If she does not comply, cease all play until she calms down. Avoid rough play that gets her too riled up.

I’m sorry to hear about Luna Mia! There are many thoughts and opinions about dog training. One thing is sure- you need to nip this in the bud IMMEDIATELY. My rules include: if she bites during play time all play ends immediately. If she bites, she is reprimanded immediately and put in another room. Crate training can help a lot with anxiety so start crate training if you haven’t already. I’ve attached some links below with more articles and ideas about training. https://www.petcoach.co/article/biting-causes-prevention-and-control/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/puppy-biting-nipping-of-hands/ Best of luck to you and Luna Mia!

No. This is not acceptable. If your dog's behavior is so severe that you are considering this type of punishment then I suggest you seek the help of a professional dog trainer or re-home the dog to someone that can potentially get the dog trained. This time of punishment will only make things worse and is cruel.

It's likely because you are being aggressive with her by smacking her on the nose, and she is reacting back with aggression. It's never recommended to punish a dog with aggression as they can and will retaliate with aggression towards you. This is something you need to stop doing now, as it only teaches her to be afraid of you, and when dogs are scared, they can be aggressive. She will need training from a professional behavioral expert to deal with her increasingly aggressive behaviors. This is a behavior that has to be stopped now before it gets worse, and a professional will be the best person to work with on it. I would speak to your vet about a referral to a professional behavioral expert. In the future if she misbehaves, put her in time out. The behavioral expert can discuss with you other ways to handle her poor behavior in a humane manner.

There are many factors in what causes a dog to bite. Abuse is certainly a contributing factor, along with other factors, such as the immediate situation, breed (not always pit bulls!), if a dog is cornered by someone or something, territorialism, protectiveness over a person or something like a litter of pups, aggression over food or objects. Many bites occur simply because someone ignores or in unfamiliar with the warning signs of anxiety in a dogs, such as licking the lips, eyes widened so the white is visible (called 'half-moon eye' or 'whale eye' by some), excessive panting, yawning, freezing in place, staring or even looking away. Failure to recognize these and continuing to interact with a dog, no matter what the intention, can result in being bitten.