Dog Aggression - Why is My Dog Aggressive?

Dog aggression refers to any harmful or threatening dog behavior toward other living creatures. Common signs include baring teeth, biting, snarling, lunging and snapping. Dogs that exhibit such behavior aren't abnormal; they're simply displaying natural behavior inherent in their species. While people find the growling and the barking unacceptable behavior, dogs consider them parts of regular dog communication.

Several dog breeds are said to be more likely to turn aggressive than others. These include German Shepherds, pit bulls, Chow Chows, Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers. Now, these perceptions are not always true. A dog's aggressive behavior is the result of either having been bred to guard or their belonging to fighting dog pedigrees. And although aggressive behavior is commonly identified with certain breeds of dogs, practically any dog can become overly aggressive.

Dog Aggression and You

There are a plenty of reasons why dogs act aggressively toward their owners and strangers. While you might consider a pat on the head harmless, a dog might view it as threatening. How dogs perceive a situation will determine their reaction. If one can pinpoint the specific cause of the aggression, it'll make understanding the problem that much easier.

Heightened dog aggression may be caused by any of the following:

• Fear. When dogs think they're at risk of getting hurt, they use aggression as a form of defense mechanism. Dogs that have been physically abused often develop defensive aggression behavior. A dog exhibiting fear-induced aggression needs time and proper care to heal.
• Redirected aggression. Inability to respond to the right target forces dogs to channel their aggression elsewhere. An example of this would be a dog barking at the door redirecting his energies toward his owner who's pulling him back.
• Dominance issues. Dogs that perceive themselves as Alpha dogs tend to act aggressively when they feel their status is being challenged. The solution here is to get control of the situation fast and establish owner leadership through intense training.
• Maternal protection. Aggression is directed toward anyone approaching a bitch with puppies. Proper socialization of dogs at an early age (with other dogs and with people) often does the trick. In some cases, hormonal medication is used to effectively treat dog aggression.

Aggression in dogs often indicates serious behavioral problems. Dog aggression issues need to be dealt with from the get-go. Treating signs of aggression as they surface rather than dealing with them when they've become an issue is always best. Never attempt to correct the situation by yourself. Learn about the problem with the help of a veterinarian and an animal behavior professional. These people can help determine the most appropriate therapy for your dog.

Dog aggression can be lessened and/or prevented so long as dog owners are willing to understand the factors influencing their dogs' behavior. It also helps if owners appreciate how their behavior contributes to the development of aggression issues in their beloved pets. Lack of understanding coupled with an unsuitable approach for addressing the problem can have lasting negative repercussions.

Aggression problems won't go away by themselves. Punishing dominant or fear aggressive dogs will only make their aggression problem worse and give rise to severe attacks. Seeking the assistance of a professional animal behavior specialist and a vet will help you gain a deeper understanding of various animal behaviors and enable you to deal with the problem more effectively.

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