Like children, most dogs will never be complete angels. They will occasionally turn a deaf ear to your commands, test your strictness, and try to steal the occasional cookie from the cookie jar they know they are forbidden to touch. While dogs must know that any form of disobedience is unacceptable, what is most important is that they refrain from aggressive behavior.

Training Older Dogs to Avoid Bad Habits
Most dog behavior problems are easily remedied through formal training techniques based on love and firm--but not corporal--discipline. Mild obedience problems, like begging at the dinner table, or escaping through the front gate and not returning when called, can be addressed through basic obedience exercises. If you turn your back during your dog's rebellious stage, these behaviors will become habits. Your dog will lose respect for you and try to see what else he can get away with.

More severe problems, like growling or snapping at a human being, should be taken to a professional. Obedience training may help, but usually it takes an experienced dog trainer to rid an older dog of its aggressiveness. Although some people (especially children) may instigate your dog, there is never an excuse for aggressive behavior. Dogs must accept that people are dominant over them.

You as the owner must remember that reacting violently to your dog's aggression will probably only make the matter worse. By fighting a dog, you are sending the message that it is time for combat, a showdown to see who the alpha dog really is. If you head down that path, you will get bitten! You are the leader of the pack, but if you match your dog's aggression with your own aggression, you're actually following his lead.