Aggressive Dog Behavior

Aggressive behavior in dogs is very common and is noticed in almost all the breeds. Often your canine companion might growl, bark, snarl, snap, bare teeth or even bite other dogs or even humans. Sometimes a dog might use aggressive behavior as a tool to terrorize/ harm others. But a dog that constantly exhibits aggressive behavior might pose a lot of problems for its owner. The presence of an aggressive dog in the family can be quite a menace. Such a perilous behavior might also deeply injure the bond that you share with your pet. Taming an aggressive dog, demands that you properly understand how to tackle such a problem. In the following lines, we help you to understand your dog better, by detailing the various types of aggressive dog behavior and ways of controlling the same.

Types of Aggressive Dog Behavior

Dominance Aggression
When a dog is aggressive because he demands obedience, it is dominance aggression. Here the dog loves to be the undisputed king of the household and will often be deaf to your commands. He will exhibit aggressive behavior when asked to do certain things or even when patted or groomed.

Territorial (Overprotective) Aggression
A dog might become aggressive, when he believes that someone is violating or intruding his personal space/ belongings. Sometimes, the animal gets aggressive without the presence of any actual threat. Such an animal is guided by a sense of excessive protection for his house/ owner from other people or animals.

Fear Aggression
Sometimes a dog tries to be aggressive in order to screen his own fear, nervousness and insecurities. Such a dog reacts to anything and everything. Any sort of disturbance in the surroundings alerts him and makes him exhibit aggressive behavior. He might even bite if you try to pacify him.

Predatory Aggression
This is also a potentially dangerous aggressive behavior in dogs. Here, the dog's aggression is triggered by anything that moves. One can witness this behavior with street dogs that chase moving vehicles. Sometimes such an animal might chase playing children, joggers or even normal pedestrians.

Punishment Aggression
Some owners mete out severe punishment to their dogs that can at times turn out to be unhealthy and dangerous. Such behaviors from their owner might undermine the dog's confidence. The dog may see his master as a source of threat, and retaliate by displaying aggressive behavior sooner or later.

Pain Aggression
}Sometimes a dog might react aggressively when you touch him in sensitive, infected or cramped areas. Various illnesses (arthritis, ear problems, and hip dysphasia) also make his temperament foul and vicious. Thus, such an aggressive behavior is the off-shoot of pain.

Maternal Aggression
Such an aggressive behavior is noticed in females, when they rear and feed their new born pups. She might instinctively exhibit aggression if any human or animal approaches the whelping area. Maternal aggression slowly disappears in the mother as her puppies grow.

Dog Aggression
Such dog-to-dog aggression is noticed in puppies while they play and learn. It should be curbed at once. Such behavioral patterns, if left unattended, give rise to adult dogs that can be highly dangerous. Dog-to-dog fights generally take place for various reasons like territory, food, dominance or fear.

Redirected Aggression
An already aggressive dog might redirect his aggression to anyone. In this form of aggression, the dog is already aroused/ agitated and tries to harm whoever tries to interfere with or put an end to his aggression. Thus, it is always better to find out what is the primary stimulus of the dog's aggression and treat/ prevent it.

Stopping Aggressive Dog Behavior

* Let the dog know and understand his position in the family.
* Select the right breed of dog that suits your lifestyle and habits.
* Never make your dog a part of aggressive games and play.
* Provide your dog with rewards for displaying good behavior.
* Mild discipline should always be maintained.
* Provide him enough mental and physical exercise.
* Don't pat or praise him excessively, without any reason.
* Don't mete out unwarranted punishment on your dog.
* Don't leave the dog unsupervised with strangers and small children.
* Consult your veterinarian and appoint a good trainer.

We see that a dog might be aggressive due to various reasons. Thus, it is very important that you delve into your pet's psychology to understand what exactly is making him aggressive. Leashing an aggressive dog in a secluded corner or meting corporal punishment will do no good. Try the above tricks and be the happy owner of a happy dog.