Aggressive dogs can be an issue for all concerned. They can be especially frightening for small children and adults alike. Even though some breeds are more aggressive than other breeds there is usually an underlying issue why a dog is aggressive. If you figure out why your dog is acting out you can tailor your training methods to curb his aggression. You will be a happier pet owner if you can trust your dog to be gentle in most situations.
Aggressive behavior can be caused because your dog wants to establish dominance. Dogs are pack animals and there is always a leader within the pack. Your dog may want to establish himself as the alpha dog. However, you need to be the alpha dog so let your dog know that you are the leader of this pack. He may still act aggressively towards other animals or other dog's as there is a hierarchy to the pack. This may be one reason why your dog acts aggressively.
Another common type of aggression in dogs is territorial aggression. Your dog will relentlessly 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 regular circumstances. It is seldom that a family is truly threatened and if your dog's territorial aggression is out of control it can cause problems with visitors and neighbors. Excessive territorial aggression is unacceptable behavior.
Often a dog will lash out from fear. Something frightens your dog and rather than retreat he strikes out and attacks. The dog will start growling, pull his ears back and tuck his tail between his legs. Many times this type of aggression is mistook for direct aggression. Fear aggression is always caused by a situation that has frightened the dog. He is lashing out because he is frightened and does not know how to handle that fear.
A dog's aggressive behavior can be misdirected. Something happens that causes the dog to feel anxious yet he is not able to take his aggression out on what really caused the aggression so he takes it out on something else. This may be a reason why your dog may be fighting with other dogs for no obvious reason. He is releasing his anxiety and aggression that was caused by something else.
There can also be biological issues for aggression. Many times a female dog can be aggressive when they are nursing a new litter of pups. This type of aggression is understandable as she is protecting her litter from any perceived hazards. There is also always a possibility of a medical problem if your dog is overly aggressive so taking your dog to the vet for a thorough examination is always recommended.
Getting your female dog spayed and your male dog neutered can slow down aggressive tendencies. This also contributes greatly to the good health of your dog. If you are not in the business of breeding dogs it is just the responsible thing to do and it will make your aggression training easier.
Your training efforts to curb aggression will be more efficient if you take into consideration the causes why your dog is being aggressive. Understanding the reasons for your dog's aggressive tendencies can help you to tailor your training efforts to his needs.
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