Aggressive Dog Behavior: Types, Signs And Dog Training

Dogs are universally popular pets. They are loved for their trainability, companionship, and loyalty. However, they can also be dangerous. In the U.S. alone, there is a yearly average of five million injuries resulting from aggressive dog behavior. Dog bites often prove fatal, especially with children, who comprise over half of all dog bite victims.

Fortunately, many such cases are preventable with the proper training and precaution. It is the responsibility of dog owners to recognize the signs of aggressive dog behavior and correct it before it spirals out of control.

All new dog owners should be on the lookout for early signs of aggressive dog behavior. Is the puppy easily provoked? Does it frequently growl, snarl, or snap? Such behavior should be taken as signs of developing aggression. Many dog owners make the fatal mistake of disregarding these signs, thinking that they are nothing serious or that they will go away on their own. In reality, the aggression will only worsen as the dog ages, so it needs to be taken care of as early as possible. With the right kind of training, most types of aggressive dog behavior will improve.

Aggressive dog behavior is a complex problem that can be triggered by many situations. Often, aggressive behavioral signs are indicators that a dog is ill or in pain – especially if it is normally friendly. This is why it is important to make sure that a dog has no physical maladies before attempting to correct its behavior. Otherwise, dogs act aggressively when they are trying to dominate, when they feel threatened or fearful, or out of protection. These types of aggressive dog behavior may depend on what the animal has experienced in its life. Prolonged harsh treatment can create a distrustful dog with a tendency to snap defensively. Or, a dog may act aggressively out of self-defense when punished by the owner. For this reason, punishment as a form of correction should be avoided, as it tends to encourage aggressive dog behavior rather than hinder it.

Another of the most common types of aggressive dog behavior is territorial aggression. This is the primary reason why dogs attack strangers and visitors to the home. Dogs consider their home and surrounding area their property, and it is in their instinct to defend it. Of course, dogs' protective abilities are among their most desirable traits as pets, and the proper amount of aggression against potential intruders has obvious advantages. But dogs need to be trained to learn the difference between actual intruders and friendly visitors to the home. In many cases, spaying or neutering the pet can lessen its territorial aggressiveness.

Aggressive dog behavior is no laughing matter, and one that must be taken seriously. Most cases of dog attacks could have been prevented had the owners taken care of the aggression problem while it was still controllable. Many problems can be eliminated with proper training when the dog is still a puppy. For aggressive behaviors that seem to persist regardless, seeking help from a professional trainer is the best option. It is the dog owner's responsibility to deal with aggressive dog behavior - for both the dog's sake and that of potential victims.

 

Sources:
Fortney, Dr. William. "Handling a Dog that Bites." HowStuffWorks. 21 Jan. 2008. http://home.howstuffw Dr. William. "Handling an Aggressive Dog." HowStuffWorks. 21 Jan. 2008. http://home.howstuffw Matthew. "Liabilities and Options if You Have an Aggressive Dog." Uncle Matty. 21 Jan. 2008. http://www.unclematty.com/training/resp Matthew. "The Signs of Aggression." Uncle Matty. 21 Jan. 2008. http://www.unclematty.com/training/abo />