Our lovable and friendly companions are not always that way. They can sometimes be aggressive. Don’t worry though, aggression is one of the more common problems among dogs.
It is not generally known, but our domestic dogs are descendants of wild gray wolves. Aggression is a trait of all wild animals, even dogs. It is dormant among most dogs, but it can show itself in certain circumstances.
First: Know the Signs of Aggression in Dogs
If you think that your dog is becoming aggressive, pay close attention to his body language and actions. Some signs of aggression in dogs include:
- Growling accompanied by lip curls
- Snapping and snarling
- Raised fur
- Stiff posture
- Taut ears and tail
- Nips that may or may not tear the skin
- Body slamming
- Punching with the muzzle
Understanding your dog’s body language is critical to curbing their reactivity and building their confidence in unfamiliar situations.
1. Relax Yourself
Never panic when your dog gets aggressive! That is the number one rule when having an aggressive dog situation.
Take a deep breath and maintain your calm. This is important because your dog can literally smell fear. Our moods are often mimicked by our dogs. So, your stress or anxiety will be reflected in your canine companion. This, in turn, escalates the aggression because it makes your dog uncomfortable.
2. Assess What’s Upsetting Your Dog
If in any situation, when you start seeing the warning signs of aggressive behavior in your dog, put on your observation glasses. Most probably, there will be something causing these signs to appear. For instance, some dogs are aggressive out of anxiety. Being afraid of fireworks, for example, could cause your dog to become more reactive.
It is also possible that you did something to cause the aggressive behavior. In that case, create some space between you and your dog. Move to the next room or step out of the house.
3. Avoid Punishing Your Dog
Alpha theory when applied to training a dog doesn’t work. Punishing your dog for his outbursts of aggression will backfire and can worsen the problem. Yelling or hitting the dog may make him feel like he needs to defend himself against you. The aggression toward you can also be redirected toward someone else in the vicinity.
Signs of aggression by your dog can also be to let you know that something is wrong. When you punish the dog for those signs, he might not show them next time and attack right off the bat.
Contrary to this, don’t reward your dog to calm down when he is aggressive. This sends the wrong message. Rely on treats, praise, and other forms of positive reinforcement to promote desirable behaviors.
4. Offer Adequate Physical Activity
Some high-energy dog breeds are reputation for being aggressive. But that’s not because they’re “bad dogs.” They just have excess energy that translates into undesirable behaviors.
So, ensure that you take your dog out for daily walks and provide them with enough toys to play with. All this play and activity will make for a happier dog, who then becomes less prone to aggression.
Published research shows that walking the dog causes dog owners to be happy as well.
5. Consult with Your Dog’s Vet
It is essential to rule out any common medical issues that could contribute to sudden aggression. Our dogs cannot talk to us or tell us about the things they are suffering from. Your dog could be lashing out to convey some internal problem.
If your dog has always been gentle and is suddenly acting different, get him checked by the vet. Irritability from pain can change the personality of any dog. Talk to your vet and ask questions about any treatments that could help your dog return to their normal, non-reactive self.
6. Spay/Neuter Your Dog
Spayed and neutered dogs are calmer and better behaved. A dog that is not neutered or spayed is prone to be dominating, territorial, and protective. These traits lead to signs of aggression because of the pent-up frustration.
If your dog is suddenly displaying behavioral issues, the possible reason can be that he has not been fixed yet. So, make sure that you cure this before proceeding to the next solution.
7. Retain Professional Help
Aggression in dogs can be dangerous. An expert behaviorist can help curb train aggressive fogs. There are four types of behaviorists:
- Certified professional dog trainers (CPDTs)
- Certified applied animal behaviorists (CAABs)
- Associate certified applied animal behaviorists (ACAABs)
- Diplomats of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (Dip ACVBs)
Research a little and then choose the one you think is appropriate.
A behaviorist can create a treatment plan based on your situation and your dog’s personality. He can monitor the progress and make changes to the treatment as needed. The behaviorist will also help you determine what the cause of aggression is and if it can be fixed or not.
Don’t Be Afraid of Rehoming
Rehoming is the last alternative. If you have tried everything and nothing seems to be working, find another loving home for your dog. Though it may be difficult to part with your loving pet, it may be the best course of action.
There sometimes are some unavoidable situations that cannot be remedied. For example, if a dog is aggressive around your kids, it may be very hard to train the dog in this situation. It is necessary that you inform the would-be owners of the dog of all his behavioral problems, so they know what to expect.
