Don"t Let Dog Aggression Get The Bite on You
Dominance Aggression is caused by a challenge to your dog's social status.
Dogs are social animals and view their human family as their social group or pack.
A "pecking order" or dominance hierarchy is established from the outcomes of social challenges in the group.
If your dog perceives his ranking in the pecking order to be above yours, he will probably challenge you in some situations.
A dominantly aggressive dog may growl if told to move from a favorite spot, such as a bed or couch, or if disturbed while sleeping or resting.
Restraining your dog even in a friendly manner, such as hugging may cause an aggressive response.
Reaching over your dog's head to pet him or reaching for his collar may be interpret as a challenge for dominance.
Dominantly aggressive dogs are often described as Jekyll and Hyde because they can be very friendly when not challenged.
Fear-motivated aggression occurs when the dog believes that he is in danger of being harmed, this is a defensive reaction.
The dog's response is determined by his perception, not your actual intent.
If you raise your arm to throw a ball the dog may bite you to protect himself from getting hit.
When approached by another dog, your dog could also be fearfully aggressive.
Protective, territorial, and possessive aggression are all very similar and involve the dog defending something of value.
Territorial aggression is normally associated with the defense of property or "territory" that could extend well past your yard.
Protective aggression refers to aggression towards other animals or people whom the dog perceives as a threat to his pack or family.
Possessive aggression occurs when a dog is defending their food, toys or other objects of value.
Redirected aggression is a common type of aggression but one that is misunderstood by dog owners.
If a dog is provoked but is unable to attack, he may redirect his aggression onto someone else.
For example if two dogs in a yard are provoked by a passing dog but are confined by a fence may turn and attack each other because they can't attack the intruder.
What you can do • First, check with veterinarian to rule out any medical causes for the aggressive behavior • Avoid triggering the aggressive behavior • Seek professional advice.
This problem will not go away by itself
Dogs are social animals and view their human family as their social group or pack.
A "pecking order" or dominance hierarchy is established from the outcomes of social challenges in the group.
If your dog perceives his ranking in the pecking order to be above yours, he will probably challenge you in some situations.
A dominantly aggressive dog may growl if told to move from a favorite spot, such as a bed or couch, or if disturbed while sleeping or resting.
Restraining your dog even in a friendly manner, such as hugging may cause an aggressive response.
Reaching over your dog's head to pet him or reaching for his collar may be interpret as a challenge for dominance.
Dominantly aggressive dogs are often described as Jekyll and Hyde because they can be very friendly when not challenged.
Fear-motivated aggression occurs when the dog believes that he is in danger of being harmed, this is a defensive reaction.
The dog's response is determined by his perception, not your actual intent.
If you raise your arm to throw a ball the dog may bite you to protect himself from getting hit.
When approached by another dog, your dog could also be fearfully aggressive.
Protective, territorial, and possessive aggression are all very similar and involve the dog defending something of value.
Territorial aggression is normally associated with the defense of property or "territory" that could extend well past your yard.
Protective aggression refers to aggression towards other animals or people whom the dog perceives as a threat to his pack or family.
Possessive aggression occurs when a dog is defending their food, toys or other objects of value.
Redirected aggression is a common type of aggression but one that is misunderstood by dog owners.
If a dog is provoked but is unable to attack, he may redirect his aggression onto someone else.
For example if two dogs in a yard are provoked by a passing dog but are confined by a fence may turn and attack each other because they can't attack the intruder.
What you can do • First, check with veterinarian to rule out any medical causes for the aggressive behavior • Avoid triggering the aggressive behavior • Seek professional advice.
This problem will not go away by itself
