Dog Aggression and the Means Behind It

Most of us are familiar with aggressive dog behavior: bared teeth, growling, and biting, yet most of us do not understand the reasons causing these aggressive behaviors.

Uncovering the underlying reasons for aggressiveness is the first step in learning how to correct and prevent dog aggression. A well-behaved dog is a happier dog, so understanding the root of your dog's aggression is important for a healthy relationship for you and your pet.

Territorial Aggression - is a common reason for aggressive behavior in dogs. Dogs are often possessive of their home and family, and will protect them all fiercely. Territorial aggressiveness may occur when a dog feels his space or people have been intruded or threatened by someone. While it may be admiral, this reason provokes undesirable behaviors in dogs, which are unacceptable and unsafe for humans.

Fear Aggression- is another reason for aggressive behavior in dogs. There are telltale signs when a dog is afraid, and these signals must be taken seriously, because fear is probably one of the most misunderstood reasons causing aggressive behavior in dogs. A dog in a state of fear will commonly lash out because it feels trapped or cornerned. Before striking the dog will display warning signs such as growling, laying back ears, and tucking tail between hind legs. When a dog lashes out because of fear, the behavior is often regarded as direct aggression rather the result of being afraid.

Predatory Aggression - while some dogs may be afraid, others have strong instinctive hunting intuitions, or predatory behaviors that are mistaken as aggressive behavior. Certain breeds of dogs are born to hunt and chase down game. Sometimes these natural predatory breeds mistake smaller dogs, cats, and children as being food.

Dominance Aggression- a common reason for a dog to act aggressive is a desire to establish dominance. This is a behavior that can be exhibited toward humans, but is more commonly towards other dogs or animals. Dogs are natural pack animals, and within a pack there is a certain hierarchy or pecking order. There are times when dogs will regard people in their family as members of their pack, so they will try to become established as the alpha dog or pack leader. Dominance behavior may be displayed when there are a lot of people or pets around.

Redirected Aggression - another reason for a dog to display aggression is redirected aggression, and this is very much misunderstood. Redirected aggressive behavior occurs when a dog is unable to take out its aggression on the actual root of the problem i.e. fear, anger, or territorial thoughts.

Medical Reasons for Aggression - there may be undiagnosed medical problem causing the dog to act aggressively. While most dogs can be trained act behavioral aggressive, there are times when an underlying medical condition is effecting the dogs physical health. Also, some female dogs become hormonal while pregnant and nursing acting very aggressive in a maternal protective state.

Taking a moment to assess and identify the probable source causing your dog's aggression is the first step to calming dog anxiety, and eliminating the unacceptable behavior. Once the underlying root of the behavior is determined, then appropriate training can be introduced to target the specific types of aggression.