Pets Care

Dog aggression can have various causes. The various kinds of aggression observed in dogs are categorized based on what causes it – fear aggression, dominance aggression, territorial aggression and others. Aggressive dog behavior can be induced by fear.

Fear is an emotion that we generally do not associate with dogs. However, it is a reality that some dogs can feel threatened or fearful due to certain specific objects, people or actions. If somebody, regardless of it being a human being or another animal, approaches a dog that is otherwise cringing in a corner with fear, the dog is likely to respond with aggression.

Such dog aggression can be understood in comparison with normal human behavior. Consider this – if you find yourself in a fearful condition and some one is approaching you without clarifying his intention, you are most likely to hit back in defense.

A dog cannot understand human language. In a fearful condition the dog is likely to misunderstand your gestures or body language. This can result in seemingly non-instigated aggression. While most dogs try to attack the source of fear, some resort to escape or show abnormal behaviors like increased fearful activity.

Dogs have evolved and learnt to adapt to life in a family. However, they do have emotions, fears and anger. Loud noises, a flying plane, firecrackers, bearded humans or for that matter, any strange object can induce fear in a dog.

Fear induced dog aggression commonly manifests when a dog is in an inextricable situation. It may also occur when a dog owner gives severe punishments to the pet, a prior fearful experience or unpredictable behavior by children in the family.

Maternal aggression and territorial aggression too form a part of fear aggression in dogs. A bitch, like a human mother, wants to protect her offspring. The only manner in which a bitch can protect her children is by being aggressive. It is important to understand that the fear emanates from inherent fear of harm.

Territorial aggression is different from fear aggression and occurs due to a dog’s natural tendency to protect his home ground. It is more related to dominance aggression. However, all dogs are not driven by this trait. Some poorly trained dogs may behave properly with other dogs when they are not in the vicinity of their own home.

However, the same dog may resort to aggression towards the same dogs if they approach their home. Such aggression is a manifestation of the fear that the dog has in relation to his domain. Also such aggression may surface only when the dog is on ‘home ground’.

To understand fearful aggression you should first understand the signs of fear in a dog. Some of the key indications of fearful aggression are a lowered head, tucked tail, flattened ears, panting, salivating, and avoidance of eye contact and sometimes even an attempt to escape.

It is advisable that you do not expose your dog to known fearful stimulus. This runs the danger of more extreme forms of dog aggression like dog biting. At the same time ignoring fearful behavior too is not the right thing to do. Consistent exposure to fear can triggers aggressive behavior in dogs.

Attempts should be made to remove the fear factor. Desensitizing your dog towards the object or person who causes fear is another technique that can be used.

Dog biting is something that is very likely if a dog is in an aggression mode. Aggressive dog behavior is clearly characterized by ominous or threatening behavior. It can lead to injury of other animals and even human beings, including family members.

There are various factors that influence aggression in dogs. Dog aggression can result from some underlying medical condition, inept handling, fear, anxiety or an inherent desire to dominate the pack. Dominance related aggression in dogs is actually the most common type of dog aggression in domesticated dogs. If dominance aggression surfaces, obedience training may be needed all over again.

It is difficult to identify dominance as the root cause of aggressive behavior since your dog may otherwise show signs of affection. However, it must be noted that given a chance he may assume leadership and try and dominate. This can result in an expression of displeasure even during normal actions like putting the collar on or petting him on his head.

As pack animals, dogs have an instinct to dominate. Since dogs were domesticated from wolves, they have retained pack mentality where survival depends upon leadership. . Leadership also determines who gets the best of what is available including mating rights.

Inept handling and training can trigger the dominance instinct in dogs. The animal does not have a sense of equality. The social structure of the pack is determined only by submission and dominance. Over time, a dog starts to treat the family as a part of the pack and tries to dominate.

This is mainly because the dog expects to be treated well if he can manage to dominate. The kindness of the handler and family is mistaken for subordination. In no time, the pet stops obeying commands and resists discipline, much to the annoyance of the owner.

As a dog owner if you do not take corrective measures and train your dog to establish that you are the leader of the ‘pack’, the dog is likely to assert his dominance over territory also. He may refuse to get up from the sofa or the bed or any other area that he has earmarked as his ‘own’ territory. Refusal to obey commands, snarling, snapping, and growling are common signs of dominant aggression.

Eventually, the dog may consider a hug as an effort by you or your family member as an effort to assume control and may snap or even bite. The stance that dogs normally use to assert dominance is showing readiness to lunge forward with an erect posture and ears turned in front.

Effective training and re-training in certain cases, is often able to chasten the dog to accept commands and shed aggressive behavior. Some breeds are genetically predisposed to aggressive behavior. A genetically predisposed dog may not cast off his aggression easily.

In difficult cases of dominant behavior training alone may not be enough. In such cases, castration is recommended. Training techniques should be used only after the dog has otherwise calmed down to some extent.

Understanding the reasons behind dog aggression almost always help in using the right techniques to train or re-train your dog. Aggressive dog behavior is caused mainly by the dominating trait that most dogs have. This specifically pertains to the domination of territory or the pack.

In many cases dog aggression can also be triggered by inter-male rivalry or fear of a specific object or person. Under-socializing during the early training stage may drive some dogs to behave aggressively when someone approaches their home as they may fear a takeover. Aggression by bitches to protect their litter too is actually driven by fear for the safety of her offspring.

Dogs can be socially trained to hide or escape to cover up their fears. However, when they find themselves in a situation from which they cannot extricate themselves, they are liable to resort to aggression. For example, if you force your dog to interact with people or other dogs or a face a situation he is not ready for, it may result in aggressive behavior that may include dog biting.

Punishing a fearful dog is not recommended as it may increase the fear and lead to further aggression. The best strategy to remove fearful aggression in a dog is to desensitize him through a systematic and gradual exposure to the fear factor.

Desensitization is carried out in conjunction with other training techniques like counter conditioning to speed up the desensitizing procedure.

The first step in treating aggression caused by fear is to identify the fears and phobias of your dog and the specific objects, people or action that causes it. Some dogs are fearful of a specific person or situation due to a prior experience. If during your absence some children have hurt your dog, he is liable to be afraid of children in general and may respond aggressively every time he sees children.

Some steps that are recommended for amending fear induced aggression include:

* Try feeding your dog in your lap for sometime to boost his confidence. Handle him with care and talk to him all the while.
* Initially let a mild fearful stimulus, a person for example, stand still at a distance. Train your dog to obey your ‘sit-and-watch-me’ command and let him be in the relaxed and down-stay position for some time. Reward your dog if he remains calm.
* If the dog refuses to remain calm, walk him slowly towards the person, all the time rewarding him with praise and a treat. Alternately, the person can be asked to drop a treat for the dog.
* If your dog fears loud noises like a firecracker, record the sound and play before him at low volume. Increase the volume level gradually as you see him tolerating each level.
* Counter conditioning expedites desensitization. For example, if your dog is afraid of a situation, try to reward him with a treat the moment that situation occurs. The fear stimulus is thus converted into a pleasant experience. Gradually, the treat can be removed as the signs of fear disappear.

Once your dog has learned to remain calm in face of prior or recurrent fear triggers, slowly and steadily he is liable to accept them as routine and shed his fear of persons, animals and situations.

Just as you teach appropriate behavior to your children, dogs also need to be trained to behave in an acceptable manner. The difference however is the age at which the training is most effective. While a one year old human baby can hardly be expected to learn more than toilet training, a year old dog is considered to be a teenager. That means dog training should start as soon as he opens up his eyes and starts to recognize the members of what he will later consider as his ‘pack’.

Most dogs and puppies are lovable creatures, adorable, affectionate and sweet. At the same time puppies love to play and bite each other all the time. If they spend enough time in the litter they learn to control themselves. The reaction of other dogs in the litter ensures that. It is experience that teaches them what is acceptable and what is not.

It is trust and respect rather than reprimand and punishment that inhibit dog biting . If the dog does not learn something, the fault lies more with the trainer than with the dog. Hitting, kicking or slapping is not likely to restrict your pup’s biting. He may continue to try and bite you and loving you at the same time. Trust and respect comes from patience and not from punishment.

Dogs give their unconditional love to their owners but in their mind that is not linked with their biting or aggressive behavior. This is especially because biting comes naturally to them. If you want puppies to adhere to the acceptable human behaviors, you will need to train them adequately for the same.

The major step in teaching obedience for not biting starts with socializing. A lack of socializing means that the puppy starts considering you as his life mate and start expecting the world from you. When you do not meet his demands, he is liable to resort to aggressive dog behavior .

Training mature dogs not to bite requires special techniques. Dog biting by adult dogs is usually a result of a desire to dominate. If your dog nips, growls or actually bites isolate him for some time. Later, let him earn everything. Make sure he obeys your commands of sit or stay every time before you feed him. Be consistent in your training because if you let him bite sometimes then biting cannot be stopped at all. Build trust and let the dog feel that it is not him that you dislike but his biting is what annoys you.

Sending out consistent signals that you are the master usually treats dominance related dog aggression. Define boundaries clearly and do not let the dog come into the areas that are restricted for him. Do not let him sleep in the bedroom or on the bed. Consistently follow up with commands and make sure he is rewarded every time he obeys.

Dog biting may also arise from fear. Do not worsen the situation by punishing. Identify the event, object, or person that the dog fears. Gradually increase the confidence of the dog by constantly introducing him to new people, settings, and animals. If he remains calm, offer him a treat.

Dog biting is a natural canine trait, which dogs usually give up as they grow and socialize. Mature and trained dogs do not usually bite. Dog aggression is usually a result of bad training where the alpha status of the owner is not firmly established. Obedience automatically follows when the dog accepts that you are the master.

Over time dogs have learnt to live with humans. Most of the times, they are docile and lend themselves to petting. They also obey commands, if trained well. There are instances where dogs have served well as companions to senior citizens and handicapped individuals.

A well-trained dog can even run errands for you. At the same time, dogs can be unpredictable too. Although dog aggression is considered as one of the abnormal behaviors in domesticated dogs, an animal is after all an animal. Dogs evolved from wolves and retain some of their aggressive traits.

They are bound to respond to their genes and behave in accordance to them at times. However, the aggressive trait is manageable in most cases and if proper care is taken you can totally eliminate the possibility of aggression in your dog.

Aggressive dog behavior is mostly caused by the following factors:

* A medical condition.
* Genetic predisposition towards dominating the pack.
* A fear factor.
* Maternal fears for safety of the litter.
* Redirected aggression.
* Inter-male rivalry and territorial aggression.

Correcting aggressive behavior appropriately requires an understanding of the real cause of the aggression. There are different techniques that you can adopt to train your dog. These techniques can range from obedience training that is targeted towards establishing who the ‘boss’ is to a structured and methodical manner of desensitizing your dog to certain people or situations.

If you feel that your dog shows some signs of aggression, learning more about home care and preventing aggressive dog behavior will hold you in good stead.

Preventing dog aggression needs the involvement of the entire family, including children:

* Initially try to adopt a dog whose temperament is suited to your personality. Some individuals and certain breeds are more prone to indulge in persistent aggressive dog behavior and are therefore, difficult to manage.
* Develop a relationship with the dog right from the day you bring him home as a puppy. The relationship should be directed towards establishing that you are the leader. This is extremely important if the breed of your dog is susceptible to aggressive behavior.
* Do not allow children to interact with the dog when he is eating, chewing a bone or sleeping.
Exercise your dog daily, without the leash and let him run for a reasonable period of time.
* Hold daily obedience sessions to let him learn new lessons and revise old ones.
* Ask every member in the family to follow the protocol set by you for training sessions.
* Check the diet ingredients. The diet should meet the nutritional demands of your dog. It should be ensured that a diet that is likely to induce aggression should not be given to your dog.

If your dog is persistently unpredictable:

* Use a basket style muzzle and seek professional help.
* Avoid all interaction with the dog including physical punishment. Punishing can actually aggravate the present condition and may lead to dog biting.
* If you have more than one dog in the house, feed them separately. Remove all bones or rawhides that may be in his possession.
* Till such time a professional arrives, isolate the dog and confine him in a separate room.

Playful dog biting by young puppies is a common phenomenon. But when the same situation occurs in adult dogs, it can result in serious consequences. Biting is a part of basic aggressive dog behavior. It arises from an inherent attribute of dogs to dominate a pack.

Wild dogs use biting as a tool to assert their dominance over other dogs within the pack. Even within a litter of puppies around the mother, it is common to see some pups trying to assert dominance and biting each other. Dogs tend to bite without provocation only when they start assuming the family as the pack and see a situation where they feel that can dominate and become the ‘alpha’ dog.

While any type of aggressive dog behavior is difficult to tolerate, dog biting assumes more significance in the light of the problems that are associated with it. In many cases, dog biting arises out of fear or when a dog finds him in an inescapable situation. If this behavior is not corrected in its early stages, dog aggression may assume unmanageable proportions.

Young puppies that are less than six weeks old seldom bite hard and are not able to break skin. However, these are the initial signs of an aggressive dog and should not be ignored as playful behavior. In fact, having moved to a new environment, the puppy is trying to assess his status in the new ‘pack’ to understand to what extent he can dominate the family.

Under no circumstances should puppies be allowed to bite playfully at human skin. Puppies that are young may also feel compelled to bite due to teething. Their mouths need stimulation, which is provided by biting. In such cases, provide chew sticks and bones for the puppy to chew on.

If your puppy has not spent enough time with the litter, he probably has not learned not to bite playfully. The natural way to check this habit is to yelp just as another puppy would in case he is bitten and withdraw from play. If this does not work try the following after every time he bites:

* Isolate in a crate for a couple of minutes.
* Hit gently on the nose.
* Spray some water lightly.

The puppy should also be trained to socialize. The more he gets used to strangers, in the house as well as outside, the better it is. Initially, put the puppy on leash when some one comes to deliver something or meet you. Let him sniff and get acquainted with the stranger. Also let your puppy interact with children as much as possible. Puppies brought up among only adults tend to snap and bite children.

Healthy and matured dogs do not normally bite humans but the potential exists. If your dog is prone to biting humans or neighboring animals, the best course of action is to first get him checked for any underlying disease. Consulting a veterinarian is the right way to rule that out medicals conditions that are causing discomfort.

If medical conditions have been ruled out, then dog biting may require some re-training. Dog aggression usually arises from dominance and territorial related aggression or out of fear. Try telling all strangers coming to your house to keep away from the dog house and his bed.

If you observe that it is fear that makes your dog bite, try to identify the fear factors and take corrective measures by insulating him from them.

Undesirable and abnormal behavior in dogs is a result of inept training, lack of nutrition and inadequate exercise. Aggressive dog behavior is perhaps one such abnormal behavior that annoys dog owners the most.

Although in certain cases dog aggression may be a direct result of an underlying medical condition, your handling may be playing an important role in encouraging aggressive behavior in your dog. If you ignore or encourage aggression, the dog is most likely to presume that it as acceptable.

Behavior issues like separation anxiety, unnecessary barking and fear of the leash or a car ride are far removed from aggressive dog behavior that may include dog biting and refusal to submit to discipline. Some of these behaviors ultimately lead to further aggression as the dog starts to assume leadership of the pack. Dogs may have evolved to live peacefully with humans but they are unable to shed their genetic traits.

Dogs start to consider family members as part of the pack. It is only natural for the dog to try and assume leadership since survival and access to the best of the available resources depends upon who can dominate the most. Dominating a pack obviously requires aggression. So when you see your dog’s aggression increasing, you can assume that this is a manifestation of dominance related aggression.

It is not only dominance that makes a dog aggressive. Aggression can be caused by other factors as well. Sometimes the dog is actually afraid of a person or situation and trying to escape or hide. Forcing your dog to face the person or situation is akin to pushing him in a corner. It is therefore likely to elicit aggressive behavior.

Inter-male rivalry, maternal aggression to protect the litter and predatory aggression (aggression towards quick moving stimulus like a car or bike that the dog considers a prey) are other types of aggressive behavior that dogs are likely to exhibit.

Dogs like to be masters of the territory that they consider their own. This could include your house, bed or whichever area he is fond of. Territorial aggression is mostly directed towards other dogs or strangers. In as far as family members are concerned it may be limited to a refusal to vacate the sofa or bed.

Signs of typical territorial aggression are similar to dominance related aggression. Although breeds such as German and Australian Shepherds that are more prone to territorial aggression. Certain dogs that have not been trained as puppies to socialize develop fear of other dogs later. Territorial matters are not easily resolved between dogs if the underlying factor is fear. The fearful aggressive dog may not calm down unless the canine visitor leaves.

Dog aggression normally manifests as:

* Growling.
* Showing Teeth.
* Snapping.
* Dog Biting.
* Refusal to Accept Commands.

If you perceive any or all the above signs, the first line of treatment is to get your pet checked for an underlying medical or physical condition. Training techniques are simple and you may be able to train your dog allover again at home. Persistent dog aggression however is a matter of concern that may require professional help.

The first ten week period of a newborn puppy’s life is the best time to teach a puppy that biting is not acceptable. And training your puppy to avoid an incidence of dog biting is crucial.

This is especially because biting comes naturally to them and it is the easiest form of dog aggression that he can resort to in situations that induce fear, anxiety and aggression. And such training is best done before strong adult teeth take the place of small nibbling ones. Curbing aggressive dog behavior among adult dogs is far more difficult than training puppies.

While training puppies, always remember that physical punishment does not work. Punishment is tantamount to making the dog more resolute in his behavior and in such cases aggression is likely to become a permanent concern.

The approach that you take should clearly indicate to the puppy that you love him but hate the biting habit instead. At the same time you must assume leadership as the dog considers you as part of the pack. Unless he perceives you to be the leader he is likely to let go of aggressive dog behavior easily.

Dogs use their mouth to express themselves. A pup also uses his mouth and his tongue for communication. Encourage licking, although not a compatible dog behavior, by offering treats and praise. Give licking a name so that he remembers the activity the next time. If the puppy uses his teeth on you, make an abrupt startling sound (e.g. OUCH) right in his face. His instincts will tell him that he has to stop. Isolate him for five minutes if you feel that the loud sound did not have an impact. Pick him up after some time and see how he responds now. Continue this till the time you feel that the pup has got the idea of what is acceptable and what not.

By the time the pup is six weeks he should have understood that he can use his mouth on you but only for licking. If you have brought an older puppy, you might have to repeat this for some time since he may need more time to adjust to new faces and the new environment.

Expose the puppy to other dogs and humans. The reactions of other puppies and dogs when bitten are likely to make him understand that he should desist from biting. Exposure to humans will remove fear of strangers.

Training alone does not inhibit dog biting. It is also necessary that all those who interact with the dog adhere to certain norms that restrict dog biting.

Children are prone to unpredictable behaviors. This, more than anything else, puts a dog on his defensive. Keep children away from the puppy till the time you are sure that he is trained. It is pertinent to teach children the manner in which they should approach a puppy or a dog and what specific actions need to be avoided.

* Do not play aggressive or competitive games with the puppy.
* Define the areas that are out of bounds and consistently stick to it.
* Never tap on the head. Instead scratch below the chin.

Biting comes naturally to puppies. In a litter, they play by rolling over and biting each other even before they have developed their teeth. A younger dog can cause more harm with his sharp teeth in spite of the fact that his lower jaw is week. By the time he grows up his teeth may become duller but the strength in his jaws can inflict maximum damage. Teaching young puppies that no teeth can touch human skin or clothes always help in the long term.

Dog biting makes up for almost half the claims made under homeowner’s insurance policies. Nearly two thirds of the cases relate to biting incidents that occur with an acquainted dog. At the same time, healthy and well trained dogs are not aggressive and they normally do not bite.

There is evidence of a genetic disposition of dog aggression in certain breeds. However, that is not the only cause of aggressive dog behavior. There are other factors that influence aggressive behavior in dogs and the best way to guard against such a situation is to start dog training when you purchase or accept a puppy.

Select a puppy that suits your family. Puppies that are too shy need large amounts of coaxing in various situations. Shy puppies will need more time in each activity. Before selecting a shy puppy, make sure that you are ready to spend some time with for him.

On the other hand, if you choose a dominant dog, you may require everyone in the family to be authoritative. You can get to know which puppy is dominant or too shy by inspecting the litter. The most dominant will take control of all activity while a too shy puppy will be seen cringing in the corner.

How you train and handle the puppy in the initial weeks is likely to determine whether he will grow up to be aggressive or not. The period from six weeks to eighteen weeks is crucial for all puppies. It needs indulgence on your part in the shape of gentle but firm handling and hand feeding. Teach him to accept food without snapping or lunging even if it amounts to feeding him in your lap.

Initially most puppies tend to jump on people, walk between legs and go after running children or growl excessively. Physical punishment usually proves to be counterproductive in such cases. Instead deny affection by not interacting for some time or scold verbally with an emphatic ‘NO’.

Early socializing is an important part of training. Puppies start developing sensitivity to other dogs and people almost as soon as they open their eyes at three weeks. The next fifteen weeks are crucial and they need to learn socializing skills. During this period they need to be exposed to other dogs and people in a positive manner so that they develop the required skills to be comfortable with people and dogs.

Puppies brought to a new home after ten to twelve weeks find it difficult to adjust to the new family. They tend to be more fearful and fear can lead to aggressive behavior. As new bonds are not developed, the puppy may try to exert dominance over the family as he grows up. The best time to bring a puppy home is in the middle of the learning period.

The teenage years for a dog begin at sixteen weeks. At this age the hormonal surge makes dogs become more protective and assert territorial dominance. If you bring a puppy home near about that age, his inherent breed specific disposition would have already taken root.

In such instances special care is required while handling. Ensure that you or your family handles him frequently but gently. Resist any temptation to release him if he squirms. That is for showing him that you are the master and he cannot dominate you.

Certain breeds evolved as aggressive dogs due to typical jobs they were required to perform in the early stages of domestication. Before bringing home such puppies, realize that they may require professional training.

You may train your dog to perfection but it is difficult to remove all basic traits of canine nature. Domestication and evolutionary changes have converted a basically aggressive species into lovable and sweet animals. A well trained dog will give you his unconditional love and affection. But an action like this is no guarantee that he will not have an aggressive encounter with you at least once in his lifetime. Dog biting statistics are a standing testimony to that.

Consider the options that a dog has when he is upset, annoyed or approached when in fear of a noise, stranger or situation. He can only growl, bark and ultimately bite. Howsoever you may train your dog unexpected situations are liable to arise, which may induce the dog to bite. If there is a need to re-train your dog that is showing signs of aggression, there is an equally compelling need for learning how to protect your family and you from dog biting.

A friendly and a sweet-natured dog can potentially turn into a raving maniac if he sees a change in demeanor of a person approaching him. If you crouch or move in an unpredictable manner or try to touch his head without first establishing familiarity, you are actually inviting the dog to show aggressive dog behavior, which comes to him naturally.

If you observe closely, children normally behave like that only. The first preventive measure is to teach children how to approach dogs. Ideally, children should never approach a dog. Even if it is a friend’s dog who says it is safe, there is a risk due to unpredictable behaviors as children are prone to mischief.

Secondly, let the dog approach and sniff at you before you even think of approaching or touching him. Do not make tentative movements. You may not be able to assess whether the dog is afraid of you or not. And if the dog fears you as a stranger, he may lunge forward at the slightest hint of a sudden movement. If you are a dog lover and feel compelled to make friends, remember the sideways stance appears the least threatening to a dog.

Never tap an unknown dog on the head as most dogs actually hate it. Instead scratch the dog under his chin. Always avoid direct eye contact and look away as if you are ignoring the dog. This sends out positive signals to the dog. Friendly dogs usually approach each other by walking in an arc.

If you can do that it will send another calming and friendly signal to the dog. Other such measures include sitting, squatting, yawning and sniffing. We humans do not sniff but you can always try to pick up something and inspect it. Once he is assured that you will not chase or grab him or hurt him, he will himself approach you even if he is an aggressive dog.

Postal workers, meter readers, dog catchers, delivery personnel and of course, children are generally the prime victims of dog aggression . It is not possible to remove the inherent trait of an animal. If you know how to approach a dog there shouldn’t be any reason to fear an animal that might actually be in fear himself.