Aggression in dogs is the main reason that pet parents often need professional help in dealing with their dog’s behavior. If you’re adopting a dog or are walking your dog in a public place, you should learn the signs of aggressive dogs. If you live in Golden or Lakewood, professional dog training using a positive approach can curb your dog’s bad behavior. Dog daycare is an excellent way to socialize your dog or puppy.
Aggressive Behaviors
Aggression encompasses a variety of behavioral issues that can occur under different circumstances. Behaviors that may occur at different times or simultaneously include:
- Biting or shaking
- Repeatedly biting and leaving marks or bruises
- Bites that cause wounds
- Snapping
- Becoming still and exhibiting a rigid posture
- Growling or guttural barking
- Charging a person or another animal
- Mouthing without actually biting
- Punching someone with their nose or muzzle punching.
- Growling
- Showing teeth
- Who was the aggression directed at?
- What was happening at the time?
- Where did the aggression take place?
- When did it happen?
- Was something going to happen to your dog?
- What calmed your dog down?
- Defensive Aggression
When a dog is frightened, it often exhibits defensive behavior. - Fear Aggression
A fearful dog may become aggressive if cornered or trapped. - Frustration Based Aggression
A dog that’s aroused or frustrated because it’s being held back may become aggressive. - Pain Aggression
A dog that’s in pain may show aggressive tendencies. - Possessive Aggression
Some dogs protect their possessions aggressively. - Predatory Aggression
Some dogs show aggression toward fast moving objects or animals. - Protective Aggression
A dog may become aggressive if they think a member of their family is in danger. - Redirected Aggression
If a dog is showing aggression and someone else interferes, they may attack the person interfering. - Sex-Related Aggression
An un-neutered male will be aggressive if he’s near a female going through the heat cycle. A female in heat will be aggressive toward other females. - Social Aggression
A dog with a dominant personality and thinks it’s the pack leader may show aggression toward his family. - Territorial Aggression
Some dogs will bite or attack anyone they think is intruding on their territory, especially their kennel that they see as their den. - Getting between family members who hug or show affection
- Blocking doorways from people
- Being protective of food bowls or sleeping area
- Mounting other dogs or people
- Demanding attention from family or friends
- Lunging at people
Determining What Is Causing Your Dog’s Aggression
To help your dog, you must accurately diagnose what is causing the aggression. By understanding why your dog exhibits aggressive behavior, you can get professional dog training help in dealing with the issue.
Here are some suggestions for determining the problem:
Types of Aggressive Behavior:
When you determine the triggers that cause your dog’s aggression, you’ll know how to correct it.
Dominant Dogs
Going to a dog park for a play session or walking in crowded places with your dog are not the ideal situations to determine if your dog has a dominant personality. It’s important to work on dominant behavior issues before your dog becomes aggressive. A potentially dangerous situation could develop. Signs of a dominant personality are:
Even if your dog shows signs of one dominant behavior, it’s best to correct it before it becomes aggression. Dominance issues can be rectified with the help of a professional trainer.
Etiquette At the Dog Park
There are certain rules of etiquette at dog parks that all owners must adhere to for all the dogs and their owners to have an enjoyable and safe play time. You should have your dog up-to-date on vaccinations and keep a copy of the record with you. Your dog must be on a leash until you reach the designated area for dogs to run loose in the enclosed space.
You should keep your dog in sight the entire time you’re in the park and keep the leash in your hand. If a dog gets agitated or unruly, the owner must be ready to leash him to prevent problems.
How To Handle An Attack
Avoid eye contact with an aggressive dog. There are certain rules of etiquette at dog parks that all owners must adhere to for the dogs and their owners to have an enjoyable and safe play time. You should have your dog up-to-date on vaccinations and keep a copy of the record with you. Your dog must be on a leash until you reach the designated area for dogs to run loose in the enclosed space.
You should keep your dog in sight the entire time you’re in the park and keep the leash in your hand. If a dog gets agitated or unruly, the owner must be ready to leash him to prevent problems. Aggressive dogs aren’t allowed in dog parks. If your dog shows any signs of becoming aggressive toward another dog, he must be leashed and removed from the park immediately. You shouldn’t bring food into the park because it can cause aggression between two dogs.
If you have an umbrella or stick in your hands, put it in front of you to appear more assertive, which usually signals the dog that you don’t want its space. If you are attacked and are wearing something like a sweater or have a dog toy, try to get the dog to latch onto it so you have time to get away. Any dog that has aggressive or dominant tendencies should be trained by a professional dog trainer to curtail the behavior and avoid injuries.
A lot of professional dog behaviorists offer dog daycare at their kennel or dog boarding facility. If you live in Lakewood or Golden, you and your dog will benefit from training sessions using positive reinforcement methods. Dog boarding and training are available at our kennel facility. We offer individual and group classes. Click here for more information.
