Facts About Dog Aggression
Canine aggression is dangerous, frightening and occurs all too frequently. According to dog obedience expert Barbara Woodhouse, there are no bad dogs or "dangerous" breeds, just inexperienced owners. There is almost always a root cause of aggression in dogs, which means that there is almost always a way to correct the behavior and mold your scary housemate into a good canine citizen.
Other People Are Reading
-
Signs
-
Dr. Harvey Braaf, DVM, listed the following as signs of aggression or as a predictor of aggressive behavior: repeated escapes, excessive barking, snarling and snapping, mounting, food or toy guarding, attacks on other animals or fearfulness in new situations.
Types
-
There are several types of aggression: dominance (most common), predatory, territorial, defensive, intra-sexual, redirected or maternal. A dog may display more than one type.
-
Causes
-
Some breeds--dobermans, rottweilers, German shepherds--are more genetically disposed to aggressive behavior. Other causes of aggression include poor breeding practices, prior abuse, lack of socialization or lack of training.
Prevention
-
The best thing you can do to prevent aggression is to first establish yourself as alpha (pack leader), then provide your dog with proper training and thorough socialization.
Solutions
-
If your dog is displaying signs of aggression, first take her to a veterinarian to rule out a medical cause. Then seek the help of a professional dog trainer. The sooner you begin to address the issues, the sooner you and your dog can begin to peacefully coexist.
-
