Title: The Truth About Dog Aggression And What You Can Do About
It!
Author: MiShaun Taylor
Do you have a dog that constantly growls at you, shows you his
teeth or snaps at you? You may have an aggressive dog on your
hands. Every day, many dogs exhibit aggressive tendencies.
Although some aggression may be just for show, other dogs take
it a bit further and seriously injure people or other dogs.
Therefore, it is absolutely paramount that you understand the
dynamics of dog aggression. In this article, we'll explain the
causes of dog aggression and offer some tips for dealing with
dog aggression as well.
First of all, we'll discuss the various reasons why dogs may
demonstrate aggressive tendencies. Although dog aggression may
be caused by a single event, some aggressive behavior may be
innate. Here are some tips to determine the cause of your dog's
aggression:
Agonistic aggression is exhibited when there is a personality
conflict between two dogs. In this instance, the aggression
might cause one or both dogs to act in an aggressive manner.
Barrier aggression is exhibited when a dog is confronted with a
barrier, becomes frustrated, and is unable to escape. In
response to the barrier, the dog exhibits aggressive behavior.
Competitive aggression is exhibited when dogs fight over social
status. This is quite common with housemates as they attempt to
discover which dog is "top dog."
Displaced aggression is exhibited when a dog is out of his
comfort zone. This typically occurs in lost dogs found wandering
the streets alone. They tend to show aggression out of fear.
Dominance aggression is exhibited when a dog believes that he
is the leader of the pack. He tends to demonstrate aggression to
keep the other members of the pack in submission, especially if
he feels as if his dominance is being challenged.
Drug induced aggression is exhibited as a "side effect" of
certain medications and tends to affect a dog's perceptions and
may cause him to act in an aggressive manner. This type of
aggression is typically is typically temporary and disappears
once the medication is changed.
Fear induced aggression is exhibited when a dog is afraid. In
response, he growls, snaps, demonstrates fear posture because he
believes he is in a dangerous situation. this type of aggression
is often found in abused dogs or those that are genetically
prone toward aggression.
Improper socialization aggression is exhibited when dogs have
not been properly socialized to get along well with other dogs.
As such, when confronted with other dogs or people, they tend to
become aggressive.
Intra sex aggression is exhibited when a female dog acts
aggressively toward other females or when a male dog acts
aggressively toward other male dogs.
Maternal protective aggression is exhibited when a mother dog
acts to protect her puppies from harm.
Territorial aggression is exhibited when a dog acts
aggressively in order to protect his toys, food or anything that
he considers as his personal property.
Now that we have a better understanding of the different types
of dog aggression, here are some tips when dealing with your
aggressive dog:
1. If you believe your dog is aggressive, immediately take him
to a veterinarian for a checkup to ensure that there are no
medical causes of his aggressive behavior.
2. Consider hiring a trainer and begin obedience training right
away. There are many trainers that are specifically equipped to
handle aggressive dogs. Carefully select one that is experienced
at handling aggressive dogs and have successfully taught owners
how to deal with aggressive dogs in the past.
3. Do not encourage aggressive games like tug-of war, chasing
your family members/ neighbors, or roughhousing with an
aggressive dog. These types of games only intensify aggressive
behavior.
4. Keep track of those things that might be contributing to his
aggressive behavior and look for patterns of aggression.
5. Teach your dog that you are the `head dog" and that you are
the leader of the pack. This can be done by doing the following:
a. Do not allow aggressive dogs to eat until you have given him
the command to do so.
b. Ensure that your dog learns and follows the "leave it
command."
c. Do not let your dog go out of the door before you do.
d. Remove any toys that he considers as his personal property.
e. Prevent any disasters before they happen. For instance, do
not take your dog out without putting on a leash.
In conclusion, there are many types of aggression that dogs
exhibit. The key to dealing with dog aggression is to realize
its potential causes and then taking proactive steps to
effectively deal with this condition. By doing this, you can
successfully deal with aggressive dog behavior and nip it in the
bud before it becomes a major problem.
About The Author: For additional information on how to keep
your dog healthy and happy, please visit
http://www.dogearye
helpful dog-related articles, information, resources, and
E-books for health-conscious and loving dog owners who want the
best for their canine companion.
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