How to Stop Your Dog's Aggression and Why It Occurs

You may be dealing with an aggressive behavior issue if your dog frequently snaps, growls, or bites. One of the most common causes for dog owners to consult a professional dog trainer or animal behaviorist is aggression. 

And any breed can become aggressive given the right conditions; it's not just bigger dogs and so-called "dangerous breeds" that are prone to aggression.

Even though it takes time to overcome aggression, there are things you can do to prevent attacks and support your dog's calming down.

What Causes Dogs to Act Aggressively?

Any conduct associated with an attack or an impending assault on a dog is considered aggressive behavior. This includes stiffening up, becoming still, displaying teeth, lunging, nipping, or biting.

Discovering the source of your dog's hostility is the first step in stopping this behavior. Some dogs, for example, will growl when someone approaches them as they are eating or chewing a bone. Some people react violently to youngsters or strangers.

Additionally, the aggression need not be directed toward a specific individual. Some dogs develop hostile behavior when they are around other animals, only certain animals (cats, but not other dogs), or inanimate items, like the wheels on cars or yard tools.

The most important thing to remember is that until you understand the cause of your dog's behavior, you cannot develop a plan to change it. The most typical forms of canine hostility include: 

• territorial hostility The dog protects its territory or your home from anyone it perceives as an intruder.

• aggressive defense: The dog defends its pack members from other animals or people. Mother dogs are fiercely protective of their pups and may turn aggressive if someone approaches them.

• aggressive possessiveness: The dog guards food, bones, chew toys, and other valuable items. Sometimes this is referred to as resource guarding.

• dread of aggression In a frightening situation, the dog tries to flee but attacks when cornered out of fear.
• aggressive defense: The dog attacks in defense of something rather than attempting to flee, similar to fear aggression. Before biting, these dogs typically gave other, more subdued signals that they wanted to be left alone, such as turning their heads away.

• Social hostility: In social settings, the dog exhibits aggressive behavior toward other dogs. Inadequate socialization of dogs with humans and other dogs can result in aggressive behavior.

• Aggression induced by frustration: When the dog is restrained by a leash or in a fenced-in area, it exhibits hostile behavior. When a dog is overstimulated and unable to respond to it, it may act out. A dog may occasionally bite its owner if it becomes overly excited, like before a walk.

• Redirected violence If someone tries to stop a dog fight, the dog could growl or bite them. It might also occur if the dog's intended victim is out of reaches, such as a dog next door or a dog on the other side of a fence.

• Anger induced by pain When a dog is hurt or in pain, aggression is displayed.

• Sexually motivated violence: When competing for a mate, two dogs—whether male or female—become aggressive. This is true of intact animals and can be prevented by having dogs spayed and neutered.

• violent predatory behavior When engaging in predatory behavior, such as chasing animals, the dog exhibits aggressive behavior without much notice. When a child plays chase with the dog, this tendency could become a very dangerous situation. Although it may begin as a playful game, dogs with aggressive predatory tendencies may quickly become excited and may bite the child.

Symptoms Your Dog May Develop Aggression

Any dog can learn aggressive behavior, so it's crucial to look for a pattern of cautionary indicators, such as:

• snarling and yelling
• a stiff body and a waggish tail
• Yawning or lip-smacking
• avoiding looking
• grown fur
• Cowering and tucking one's tail
• Observing the eye whites

Many of these warning signs are also indicators of fear or anxiety in dogs, which is why not all dogs who display this behavior are generally aggressive.

Future Steps

Keep track of your dog's aggressive conduct and the situations that led up to it. This will be crucial in determining what to do next. The fundamental cause of aggressiveness must be addressed. The behavior is merely a sign of a deeper issue. 

There are several ways you can control aggression and support your dog's composure. It will require patience, perseverance, and perhaps expert assistance.

Consult a veterinarian

Dogs who don't typically exhibit violent behavior but do so abruptly may be suffering from a medical condition.  Aggression-inducing medical conditions include hypothyroidism, excruciating wounds, and neurological conditions like encephalitis, epilepsy, and brain tumors.

If your dog exhibits this behavior, discuss it with your veterinarian. Your dog's behavior may significantly improve with treatment or medication.

Bring in a specialist

It's time to consult a qualified dog trainer or animal behaviorist if your veterinarian has ruled out a medical condition. You shouldn't try to resolve hostility on your own because it is such a significant issue. Your dog may be aggressive, and a professional can help you identify the source of the aggression and develop a management strategy.

Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation or get in touch with the Association of Professional Dog Trainers if you need help finding a qualified dog trainer or behaviorist.

Develop a Plan

You can determine the most effective strategy for controlling your dog's aggression with the assistance of a behaviorist or trainer. Positive reinforcement is typically used to teach your dog new behaviors. 

For instance, if your dog is a little bit hostile toward strangers, start off by standing a long way away from them. Your distance from your dog should be sufficient to prevent growling or snapping. As you gradually close the gap between your dog and the stranger, continue to use positive reinforcement by rewarding with plenty of treats and praise.

As your dog starts to associate strangers with rewards, you should notice a decline in hostility. Your dog can become accustomed to a variety of other settings using the same method.

eschew punishment

Usually, punishing your dog for being aggressive has the opposite effect and makes the aggression worse. A dog may feel the need to defend itself by biting you if you hit, yell at, or otherwise react angrily to a growling dog.

As a result of punishment, your dog can suddenly bite another person. For instance, a dog that growls at kids is trying to tell you that he doesn't feel safe around them. If you spank a dog for snarling at you, he might not warn you the next time he feels uneasy—instead, he might just bite.

Think About Medication

Sometimes training alone is insufficient. To assist handle the issue, aggressive dogs may also require medication. It's crucial to realize that a dog who is stressed, afraid, or anxious cannot learn new things.

 Consider medicine as a tool to aid in your dog's recovery from this phobia. Many dogs only need medication for a brief period. Discuss your options with your veterinarian.

Deal with Unavoidable Circumstances

Finally, you need to consider whether your way of living enables you to follow through on a plan. For instance, it would be impossible to avoid a situation where your dog would act aggressively against your children if you have both a dog and children. The best course of action in this situation for both you and your dog may be to locate a new home with adults.