Dog Behavior Problems: Aggression – Safety and Management – While dogs can exhibit protective behaviors towards themselves, their territory, or their family, aggression becomes a serious and relatively common issue for many owners when it poses a threat to the safety of people or other animals. Understanding the cause of aggressive behaviors and how to safely handle the behavior will go a long way to ensure dogs can safely live with their humans.
Canine Aggression
Canine aggression is complex, can manifest in many ways, and is frequently a symptom of more severe problems related to the original behavior itself. Most dogs are not aggressive for no reason. Some basic types of aggression that can be observed in dogs are –
Fear Aggression – When a dog is threatened or trapped.
Territorial Aggression – When a dog feels its space is threatened or is being invaded.
Possession Aggression – When dogs guard things like food, toys, or even people.
Protective Aggression – When a dog feels that its owner is in danger.
Redirected Aggression – When a dog is frustrated with one factor and takes it out on another individual.
Pain-induced aggression – Appears from physical pain or a medical condition.
Social aggression – Relates to dominance issues or failure to socialize appropriately.
Knowing the reasons for your dog’s aggression is the first step in managing aggressive behavior.
Early Warning Signs
Dogs rarely move from calm to full aggression without warning. Learning how to read dog body language will help you understand their body signals before it is too late –
Stiffness or freeze – Your dog becomes stiff or rigid. Or your dog freezes in place and does not move.
Staring – Your dog gives you, another human or animal direct, hard eye contact.
Hackles – A dog’s hackles are the hairs along its spine, from the neck to the tail, that stand up when the dog is aroused or stimulated, often due to excitement, fear, or aggression. Hackles are located by their shoulder blades, withers, and base of the tail.
Growling/Snarling – Your dog makes a low sound to a high-pitched sound.
Lip Curling – The corners of the dog’s mouth curl up, showing their teeth, but there are no furrowed brows, no barking, and the eyes are soft.
Air snapping or barking – An exaggerated physical snapping movement. Your dog is barking at something in their environment.
Recognizing these early warning signs before a bite or conflict allows you to de-escalate the situation before it becomes a problem.
Safety Must Come First
When dealing with an aggressive dog, safety becomes paramount. For you, your dog, and whoever else may be around them. Here are the safety tips –
Don’t use punishment-based training – Punishing a dog and yelling is going to heighten the fear or anxiety they may already be experiencing. The aggression may magnify magnificently with punishment, as with every other cause we have listed.
Redirecting their attention: Redirecting their attention in a potential situation by offering a treat or squeaking their favourite toy or a loud sound to get back their attention to you and off the trigger.
Use dog management tools – Muzzles, baby gates, and leashes can all help with controlling situations.
Keep them away from triggers – If the dog displays aggression to other dogs, going to dog parks and dog-friendly environments will only antagonize them.
This is not restricting their life, it is protecting your dog while you work through their behaviour issues.
When to Seek Professional Help
If your dog shows aggression continuously, unpredictably, or is increasingly aggressive, you should reach out to a certified behaviorist or a professional dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement training. These professionals will –
- Identify the underlying cause of the aggression
- Develop a customized behavior modification plan
- Help you develop skills to manage your dog safely
Sometimes, the veterinarian may suggest medications to keep your dog calm during their training when the aggression is based on fear or trauma.
Management Strategies that Work
Effective management not only decreases instances of aggression, but it also offers an overall plan for improvement moving forward.
Behavior Modification Training
Behavior modification training includes techniques like desensitization and counter-conditioning, which will assist in changing your dog’s emotional response to a trigger. For example, if your dog is afraid of the postman, desensitizing your dog would require you first to expose your dog to people at a distance, and rewarding your dog (with treats, praise, etc) at the same time.
Consistency in Routine
Dogs, like many other animals, thrive on routine. Feed the dog, walk them, let them play, and let them sleep at the same time every day. This will help reduce their stress and anxiety that may lead to aggression.
Socializing Carefully
While starting to socialize them early in life is ideal, adult dogs can also be positively socialized through managed, positive experiences. Introduce them slowly to people and dogs from a distance to begin and reward calmness.
Muzzle Training
A fit muzzle can be a useful tool, not a punishment. Muzzle training can be useful for safety with a vet, groomer, or other social situations where aggression may be assumed.
Mental and Physical Stimulation
Boredom can lead to behavioral consequences. Ensure your dog is also exercised physically to aid this and provide mental enrichment by using puzzle toys, scent games, or interactive play.
Avoiding High-Risk Situations
Sometimes the best strategy to manage aggression is to avoid putting the dog in an environment where they feel they need to use aggression, and therefore avoid all risk. For instance, if your dog shows signs of anxiety or stress from a crowd, instead of going to a street fair, take a quiet walk.
Conclusion
If you are dealing with dog aggression, remember you are not alone, and help is available. With knowledge, patience, and support, it is fully possible to make a safer, happier life for both you and your dog.
FAQs
Is it possible to cure an aggressive dog?
Even though a cure is not always possible, aggression can often be greatly reduced or controlled. The cause, training continuity, and temperament of the dog all play a role in success.
Is adopting a dog with an aggressive past safe for us?
It depends. Various dogs with a history of aggression can be safely reintegrated into households with the right setting, care plan, and skilled handlers.
Do some dog breeds have a higher level of aggression than others dog breeds?
While breed may have an impact on behavior, socialization, training, and individual personality are more strongly connected with aggression. Under the appropriate conditions, any dog, regardless of breed, can become hostile.
How do I react if my dog has bitten someone?
Prioritize safety, then, if required, seek medical attention. To assess the scenario and stop it from happening again, report the incident to your veterinarian and municipal animal services. Consider consulting a qualified behaviorist.
