Aggressive dogs can be quite frightening. They can frighten small children and adults alike. There are some breeds that are more likely to be aggressive but even so there is usually an underlying cause for aggression in dogs and finding out why your dog is aggressive can assist you in your training efforts. A dog that is calm in most circumstances is an easier dog to have.
Sometimes excessive aggression is because your dog wants to establish dominance. Dogs are pack animals and there is always a hierarchy to the pack. The alpha dog is the leader and the other dogs follow suit. Proper training will establish you as the alpha dog or the leader. Never allow your dog to think of himself as the alpha dog or you will constantlyencounter difficulties. Even so your dog may still want to establish his dominance over other dogs or animals and this may be the cause of his dominance aggression.
Another common form of aggression in dogs is territorial aggression. Your dog will fiercely protect everything that he considers to be "his" including yourself, your home and your family. While this can be a good thing if you are threatened at some point, it can cause many problems in ordinary circumstances. It is seldom that a family is truly threatened and if your dog's territorial aggression is crazy it can cause problems with visitors and neighbors. Excessive territorial aggression is inappropriate behavior.
Fear can cause a dog to lash out aggressively. Something happens that frightens him and he does the only thing he knows how to do which is to begin growling, pull his ears back, tuck his tail between his legs and act mean. This is just a protective mechanism that is often misunderstood as being direct aggression but the truth is that something triggered the fear, which in turn started the aggressive behavior.
Aggressive behavior can sometimes happen for no apparent reason. However this aggression is usually misdirected. Something happens that triggers anxiety within the dog but he is not able to react to the actual stimuli so he takes it out on something else. This may be a reason for some inexplicable dog fights between 2 or more animals. The dog is just not able to act on the real cause.
There can also be medical or biological issues for aggression. A mother dog will often express aggression when she is nursing her litter of puppies. This type of aggression is understandable however sometimes a medical issue could be causing excessive aggression so it is always wise to have your vet give your dog a thorough examination.
Spaying your female dog and neutering your male dog will usually help alleviate excessive aggression. Your training efforts will also be easier and more effective. If you are not planning to breeding dogs, spaying and neutering is the responsible thing to do.
If you consider the reasons why your dog may be acting aggressively you can tailor your training efforts and curb the aggression. You can work with your dog's own specific needs and be more successful. - 32404
Sometimes excessive aggression is because your dog wants to establish dominance. Dogs are pack animals and there is always a hierarchy to the pack. The alpha dog is the leader and the other dogs follow suit. Proper training will establish you as the alpha dog or the leader. Never allow your dog to think of himself as the alpha dog or you will constantlyencounter difficulties. Even so your dog may still want to establish his dominance over other dogs or animals and this may be the cause of his dominance aggression.
Another common form of aggression in dogs is territorial aggression. Your dog will fiercely protect everything that he considers to be "his" including yourself, your home and your family. While this can be a good thing if you are threatened at some point, it can cause many problems in ordinary circumstances. It is seldom that a family is truly threatened and if your dog's territorial aggression is crazy it can cause problems with visitors and neighbors. Excessive territorial aggression is inappropriate behavior.
Fear can cause a dog to lash out aggressively. Something happens that frightens him and he does the only thing he knows how to do which is to begin growling, pull his ears back, tuck his tail between his legs and act mean. This is just a protective mechanism that is often misunderstood as being direct aggression but the truth is that something triggered the fear, which in turn started the aggressive behavior.
Aggressive behavior can sometimes happen for no apparent reason. However this aggression is usually misdirected. Something happens that triggers anxiety within the dog but he is not able to react to the actual stimuli so he takes it out on something else. This may be a reason for some inexplicable dog fights between 2 or more animals. The dog is just not able to act on the real cause.
There can also be medical or biological issues for aggression. A mother dog will often express aggression when she is nursing her litter of puppies. This type of aggression is understandable however sometimes a medical issue could be causing excessive aggression so it is always wise to have your vet give your dog a thorough examination.
Spaying your female dog and neutering your male dog will usually help alleviate excessive aggression. Your training efforts will also be easier and more effective. If you are not planning to breeding dogs, spaying and neutering is the responsible thing to do.
If you consider the reasons why your dog may be acting aggressively you can tailor your training efforts and curb the aggression. You can work with your dog's own specific needs and be more successful. - 32404
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