Dog aggression is a basic natural instinct in a dog. Every dog has it and will display it in different degrees, depending on the circumstance. Whether it’s protecting your home or the “family pack” in it or warning you of a legitimate threat, your canine’s aggressive response is acceptable as long as it’s controlled.
For example, if your dog goes into a barking and growling frenzy when he sees the Fed Ex man approaching your doorsteps, but stops the minute you demand him to do so, then you have nothing to be concerned about. However, an aggressive dog would not have back down his level of aggression and most likely would have tried to attack Mr. Fed Ex. If this sounds like your dog, note, aggression problems are the most difficult to resolve and, therefore, you will need to seek the help of a professional.
Uncontrolled Aggression
This factor, called uncontrolled aggression in dogs, is a serious matter, and one of the reasons many thousands of dogs every year are euthanized. So serious is the problem that many books are devoted to the subject, educational classes are available to help you combat the behavior, and professional dog trainers and animal behaviorists specialized in aggression stand ready to help dog owners in desperate need of solutions. You just have to do your part and seek them out.
Fear
There are many reasons for a dog’s aggression. Fear is one. For instance, a dog not properly socialized at an early age, or is the offspring of a fearful parent, fails to develop self-confidence. Lack of self-confidence creates feelings of shyness. Dogs displaying fear of aggression will cower or tremble. Sometimes, these types of dogs will warn with some growling before chomping down on their intended victim—usually from behind.
Bad Experience
Sometimes a dog’s aggression could be attributed to a “bad experience.” For example, a dog that was abused by a man with a beard as a young pup grows up believing that all men with beards are created equal. Therefore, when he comes in close contact with this type of individual—though inappropriate—he goes into protective mode and displays aggressive behavior. Moreover, if the abuse consisted of being hit with a newspaper or stick, a lifted human hand could also trigger aggressive behavior in a dog.
Other types of dog aggression fall into the following categories:
- Dominance - challenging the leader of the pack, owner, or another dog
- Territorial - protection of yard, toys, food, owner
- Predatory - chasing moving objects, children, cars, bikes, animals, etc
- Sexual - two males competing for mating privileges
- Maternal - mother protecting her pups
- Irritable - strikes older dogs who do not like annoying and noisy children. It also strikes female dogs during their periods of estrus.
Ultimately, regardless of the reason or cause for a dog’s aggressive behavior, we should concentrate on the consequences it could have on others—biting. A bite is a bite, and no excuse can justify a dog’s bite—ever! Some biting habits can be corrected; others cannot.
Medication
In a few severe cases where correction was possible, a qualified dog behaviorist, along with the help of a vet who prescribed medication to lower the level of aggression in a dog was utilized.
Rehabilitation
If your dog is displaying aggressive behavior, it’s crucial that rehabilitation start immediately. Remember, aggression begets aggression. When handling an aggressive dog, do not hit the dog as this will cause the dog to react with more aggression and worsen your problem further. Nor should you heed the advice of trainers that recommend corporate punishment as a form of treatment.
I hope you like this article about Dog Aggression, and if you do, then kindly share it. Also, follow my profile to read more interesting articles.
You must be logged in to post a comment.