How to Interpret Dog Aggression

Everyone loves a friendly pooch but when a dog snarls, growls or snaps, the fun is over. Most people view such behavior as threatening and sometimes, as vicious. However, dogs can’t speak; they can only tell you how they feel in a limited number of ways. To understand what an aggressive dog is trying to say, learn some basic canine behaviors.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Speak firmly when your dog growls at you or another human who tries to make him relocate or approaches his food. Dogs are pack animals and they develop a linear dominance structure. It is normal behavior for a dog who thinks he is the boss to protect his food and turf. Lower your voice and speak slowly. Tell him, “Go,” and mean it.

2. Desensitize your dog if he growls or snaps at visitors by introducing them slowly and demanding obedience. A dog that consistently barks at strangers is exhibiting fear aggression. Start by taking him on frequent walks around other people and animals are but keep him at a distance. Over a period of weeks, gradually bring him closer until he accepts strangers in his space.

3. Feed two or more dogs in separate places if aggression is occurring over the food bowl. As pack animals, dogs strive to be the first in line to eat. By placing food in a separate bowl for each dog at mealtime and then removing it immediately after, the food will lose its importance. Also, try feeding a dog that shows food aggression by hand.

4. Exercise a dog that fiercely protects his house or yard. Known as territory aggression, this can be a frightening problem for pedestrians walking by or children on bicycles. Dogs often develop staunch territorial behaviors when bored. Take him on long walks and let the neighbor kids walk him, too.

5. Separate dogs who exhibit “hunting pack” behavior. A dog that is complacent by himself can become aggressive when other dogs start chasing a cat or squirrel. Stop the behavior before it escalates. Domestic dogs who hunt in packs can quickly graduate from animal prey to human prey.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your dog to obedience classes and continue his training all his life.
• If your dog has aggression problems and you do not provide adequate security, you could face criminal charges if he harms another animal or person.
• Never let a dog dominate a person. Make it clear right away that he is at the bottom of the pecking order.

[Tippy]

on 3/31/2008 Thank you for your comments. This advice came directly from a dog behavioral specialist and she has helped me numerous times when I needed to deal with one problem or another. I realize that there are differing opinions about the best way to train a dog and how to reduce its aggressive tendencies. I've found the methods above to work well but I'm sure there are exceptions. I appreciate your input.

[HappyTails]

on 3/30/2008 For some reason the complete post did not show up. Here is the rest of it

This is wrong; the hierarchy for desensitization and counter conditioning is a complicated and long process. Demanding obedience can be viewed by the dog as a challenge and can get the owner bit. If you punish or demand obedience when the dog growls, he will figure out that he is being corrected for the growling. The result will be that he will stop giving a warning growl and go strait to a bite with no warning. NEVER punish out the growl.
There are many reasons dog bark at strangers. If you are not educated in dog body language don’t assume that it is fear aggression. If the dog is having fear aggression and you continually put him on a leash and lead him into fearful situations he will view you as untrustworthy, unreliable and crazy. You will damage human/dog bond. Are you afraid of snakes? Yes? If your fam

[HappyTails]

on 3/30/2008 This is wrong advice. If your dog is showing aggression at any level even if he is just beginning to growl get the help of a dog behavior specialist. Aggression is a complicated psychological problem to deal with. You want a specialist with a background in dog psychology, the science of dog behavior.
To keep my comment shorter I will only address the advice given to : Desensitize your dog if he growls or snaps at visitors by introducing them slowly and demanding obedience. A dog that consistently barks at strangers is exhibiting fear aggression. Start by taking him on frequent walks around other people and animals are but keep him at a distance. Over a period of weeks, gradually bring him closer until he accepts strangers in his space.
This is wrong; the hierarchy for desensitization and counter conditioning is a complicated and long process. Many Many steps are left out here. Deman

[grouch]

on 1/26/2008 Sometimes a visiting doggie friend helps create a naughty doggie. I like the idea of feeding them away from each other.