Other Reasons My Dog May Be Aggressive

Other Reasons My Dog May Be Aggressive

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If you are reading this article it's pretty clear that your dog is displaying emotions or actions that you regard as aggressive in some way, shape or form. Perhaps your dog has never been noticeably aggressive but has started to snarl or growl or alternatively maybe your dog tends to snap or bark. Either way, you can be congratulated for taking the first steps towards dealing responsibly with your dog. Aggression in dogs should always be taken seriously and the earlier you pinpoint the causes for the aggression and take action, the better off you and your dog will be.

Lack of Socialisation

If you find your dog is aggressive as a young puppy it could mean one of three things. The first is that the dog may have been removed from his family before he was 8 weeks of age; secondly he may have been treated harshly during the age of 6-12 weeks, which is a time when he is easily influenced or last but not least, he may have had no socialisation with adults as a puppy. The best thing to do if you notice any aggression in your new puppy, is enrol him right away in puppy school.

Alpha Leader Dogs

Wild dogs are commonly aggressive and it's this behavior that ensures they are able to hunt, stay safe and maintain their status within the pack. The leader is called the 'alpha' and this is dog that has the most control. He directs the other dogs in his pack defining their behavior. When a dog steps out of line, or behaves in a way the alpha doesn't like, he will them, usually with an aggressive bark or bite.

In a domestic household, the alpha needs to be YOU. As the dog's owner you need to be the one determining the rules and teaching your dog how to behave in your pack. If your dog doesn't respect you or the rules, he is more likely to challenge you for the alpha position in your "pack". This will lead to a dominant form of aggression. That is, your dog is getting angry or aggressive with you when you do not do what he wants or when you threaten his position as the 'alpha'. This is not a healthy situation for you or your dog and you will need to rectify the situation as quickly as possible.

Scared or Fearful Dogs

Some dogs snap, bark or bite because in their past they were ill-treated or scared by a certain incident or occurrence, so, just like humans they remember it and are scared of it reoccurring.

There are a few different ways to manage fearful aggression, one is to socialise your dog with what they are afraid of and another is to modify your behavior. Which of these ways is right for you will depend on your particular situation. If you're not sure, it is best to ask your vet or seek professional help.

Dogs That Learn

Some dogs are smart - they watch what other people and dogs do, and they learn from their observations. These dogs may see another dog acting a particular way, for example barking at someone passing by and consider that this is the way he should also act. Another way they learn is by the way that you act and respond to their behavior. In order to ensure that your dog learns the right things, you will need to ensure you're clear in your instructions, consistent in your dealings and always patient. If your dog displays this 'learned aggression' it is likely he will also be able to learn not only how to behave properly but lots of other tricks too.

This is My Territory

Territorial aggression is quite common, and as its name implies is where your dog reacts in an aggressive way to any potential threat. From barking to jumping up and down along a gate or fence, territorial aggression can cause you a headache and also cause the relationship between you and your neighbours to disintegrate. If you see this type of aggression in a dog, you should deal with it straight away. Start addressing the behavior by rewarding your dog for good behavior and correcting it when you see him showing aggression.

Aggression in Older Dogs

As dogs get older, they, just like humans become more sensitive to pain or fear. Think about yourself as a teenager, you feel almost indestructible, you can take on the world, and should you happen to fall over, you simply get up and keep going. Sorry to say this feeling doesn't always stay with us, as we get older our body takes longer to recover and as old age arrives we become well aware of our vulnerability. The same changes occur in dogs, they get scared much more easily, for instance sudden movements, visits to the vet or young children teasing them, and this may cause them to snap in fear or pain.

Sadly there is no quick trick to solve this problem for your dog. Like with an elderly grandparent, you simply need to modify the way you care for them. Let them know you are approaching by talking (but don't make a sudden shout), learn about what causes them fear and try and avoid it and keep young children away from them.

Getting Help

Before it gets to be a serious problem, it is worth acting at the first signs of dog aggression. Enrol your dog in dog obedience training or in a dog aggression class to help work out how to address your dog's behavior and improve your relationship with your dog.

About the Author:
Are you tired of having to deal with Aggressive Dog Behavior? Get more tips and advice here today. While you are there, you can pick up a free report on How to be the Alpha Dog. This report will show you how to take control of your home, and become the master of your house.



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