Do you know that once your dog assumes a dominant attitude it can be extremely hard to break him.
Even if a lot of dog owners resort to punishment, there is no assurance that the dog will behave and can be trusted especially in the presence of children.
Basic training for aggressive dogs should be to reward them when they show good behavior but deny the reward for any unruly behavior.
Usually, a dog loves to be played with and their head patted but this is not so for an aggressive dog.
Any physical limitation or contact on the dog can be perceived as threatening.
Dog owners should always show caution whenever they want to pet their dog.
It is better if they can have their canine sit and heel before any petting takes place.
Outside the house, your dog should be trained how to relax then sit whenever you snap on his leash.
These small tasks may be overlooked often because these do not seem to have anything to do with dog aggression however by doing these you are laying the foundation or setting the rules that you are the one in authority.
Never confuse your dog.
You have to be consistent with your rewards and criticisms.
These will reinforce his perception about behaving properly.
Take note of anything that will trigger aggression on your pet's part.
Let's say your dog growls whenever you approach the sofa, let your dog realize that the sofa is not a part of his property therefore prevent your dog from going there.
While training your dog for the correct behavior, have one member of your family to care for the dog while limiting the other members from the dog.
This way your dog will rely on just one care taker and will be trained not to be dominant to anyone.
Dogs by the way do not try to dominate those whom they need to rely on.
In a word, it's all about being the Alpha Dog.
If your dog has always had his own way, then he will perceive himself as the alpha dog of the "pack" and will try to dominate everyone in the family.
He will also tend to be aggressive to strangers and other dogs, as he will see it as part of his job to protect the members of his pack.
Counteracting this dominant tendency is obviously best done when the dog is still a puppy.
Curing this in an adult dog requires expert help.
There is a wealth of information on the internet, some of it free! For any signs of submission, always be ready to reward your pet.
Signs where you should reward him include licking their lips, sitting, laying their ears back on their heads, curling their tails or avoiding eye contact.
Remember to give your dog a lot of praise and rewards such as food treats whenever he cooperates and behaves.
On one hand, if your dog remains very dominant or aggressive and does not want to change their behavior or their standing in the family, seek the help of a professional dog trainer who can aid you in modifying the behavior of your pet towards you or anyone.
Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that training your dog will turn out to be successful or if the training is successful it can only be relative.
And rather than accept this and endure being with an aggressive pet, perhaps in this situation it would be better if you find your dog another home.
Having a different owner and a different home can alter the behavior of the dog in many ways and lastly this may be the only remaining solution.