Stop Aggressive Dog Behavior Problems

Many owners have questions about aggression that they have seen in their dogs. Most people are unsure of what to do and they are confused with how a dog, especially one that went through socialization and countless other training experiences can be aggressive.

The fact is, many dogs are aggressive, although in different ranges, and there are many breeds that are considered to be more aggressive than others. While we always emphasize socialization as a puppy experience, it should be noted that socialization should occur throughout your dog’s life.

To explain that a little better, just think about the last time you rode a bike or did something that was a little unnerving that you hadn’t done for years. The first time you get back on the bike, you are a little wobbly and unsure about the whole thing but eventually you gain your feet again. If you had not stopped riding the bike in the first place, you would have no problem jumping on it each day but since you didn’t you have to reacquaint yourself with the experience.

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The same can be said about socialization. While a dog may learn how to be around other people and animals as a puppy, and although the foundation is there, if he hasn’t been socialized properly for years, it is only natural that he would be a little wobbly with it. It is also normal for him to develop some problems with aggression when he is once again brought out into society.

That being said, it is important to note that aggression, regardless of the cause, should not be tolerated. If your dog is aggressive, you should seek professional help immediately to correct the problem with proper training and socialization. Don’t ignore it or believe that it will be corrected on its own since aggression will only escalate until someone or something is hurt.

When it comes to aggression, there are actually a number of different types of aggression that your dog can have and I will go over each type and the usual causes that can be attributed to this form of aggression and what you can do try to solve it.

Dog to Dog Aggression

Although we have an article that looks specifically at dog on dog aggression, I would like to mention it here. Dog on dog aggression is when your dog cannot be with other dogs and will bark, nip, or full out attack other dogs. It is important to note that dog on dog aggression usually only occurs with strange dogs and it is not uncommon for a dog who suffers with dog on dog aggression to live happily in a house with other dogs.

The Cause of Dog on Dog Aggression:
There can be many different causes of dog on dog aggression but the most common reason is improper socialization. In addition, if your dog was attacked by another dog as a young puppy, he may grow up with aggression problems because of that.

Solving the Problem:
With dog on dog aggression, training is the only way to solve the problem and it should be training that also encourages socialization for the dog. I strongly recommend seeking the aid of a professional trainer that has ample experience in correcting dog on dog aggression.

Fear Aggression

Fear aggression is when a dog reacts in an aggressive manner when something frightens him. This can be simply from the ringing of the doorbell or a loud noise and the reaction can be snapping, barking or growling. Although this can be a normal reaction, the fear aggression occurs simply because the dog’s owner provides him with sympathy instead of correction or help.

The Cause of Fear Aggression:
When it comes to fear aggression, it is actually believed that it is a genetic behavior that is seen in all dogs but it is actually triggered by external influences. Generally, the external influence is the owner who praises the dog or comforts the dog for the fear reaction that he had. This nurtures the aggression and lets the dog know that this form of aggression is okay.

Solving the Problem:
The best way to solve fear aggression is to nip it in the bud. Don’t encourage fear reactions such as barking at the doorbell and correct your dog when he does. If he already has fear aggression, try to avoid encouraging it further and return to basic training to break the habits that he has created. Again, consult a professional trainer for advice.

Dominate Aggression

It is important to note that there is a difference between a dominant dog and a dog that is dominantly aggressive. The former is a dog that is just assertive but he is usually very friendly. The latter is a dog that is intimidating. He has the tendency to force his own agenda with family and will react aggressively to strangers. There is very little doubt that the dominantly aggressive dog is the head of the home and is not afraid to get his point across through growling, baring his teeth or even biting. This is a very serious type of aggression to deal with and it is very unpredictable with the dog being loving one minute and in the next being very aggressive and frightening.

The Cause of Dominate Aggression:
The cause of dominate aggression can be genetic and there are many breeds that do have this problem. In addition, dominate aggression tends to occur in males more than females but it can be seen in both genders. Other causes of dominate aggression are lack of proper socialization and training and the dog being raised in an abusive environment.

Solving the Problem:
With this form of aggression, I stress the importance of seeking the help of a professional trainer that has experience with dominate aggression. Don’t try to solve this problem on your own and remember that this is a form of aggression that cannot be fully “cured,” although it can be modified enough to improve both yours and your dog’s quality of life.

In an attempt to save our readers eyes from exploding, we have chosen to split this article up in two parts. We continue to explain the different kinds of aggressive dog behavior that your dog may have in our next article: Stop Aggressive Dog Behavior Problems – Part Two

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