The majority of people who own dogs want their dogs to protect them. This naturally requires a certain level of dog aggression to be present, but it is vital that this aggression is only witnessed at an appropriate time and under the right circumstances. The problem is that dogs commonly find it difficult to know when it’s appropriate to display aggression. This frequently leads to dogs displaying aggressive behavior when it is inappropriate. In this article I investigate the common causes of dog aggression, and put forward strategies that have proven successful in the fight to stop dog aggression when it’s inappropriate.
Causes of Dog Aggression
Aggressive behavior in dogs can be hereditary, can be the result of the dog’s environment and upbringing, or can be caused by poor health. Hereditary aggression is unlikely to ever be the root cause of aggressive behavior in a pet dog because it is not in line with the concept of animal domestication.
A more likely cause of dog aggression is poor health, especially physical pain or discomfort. In such instances, the aggression is a health problem rather than a behavioral problem.
Even more likely to cause dog aggression are misunderstandings or the dogs environment and upbringing. Aggression is a natural behavior that is necessary for a dog’s survival in the wild. Human mistakes and/or misunderstandings between people and dogs are usually the cause of unwanted aggression Most dog bites are due to a misunderstanding or because the owner didn’t provide proper obedience training and socialization early on in a dogs life. Also, a dog owner may inadvertently encourage aggressive behavior, inviting repeat displays by accidentally rewarding a dog for being aggressive.
Should the aggression be directed towards the dogs owner, the problem may well be that the pack leader has not been properly established. The dog’s is likely trying to become the pack leader because it senses that it has a real chance of doing so. Dogs like to know where they stand in the pecking order, and that means showing your dog that you are the one in charge will help stamp out aggression directed towards you.
Common Signs of Dog Aggression
It is crucial to learn how to recognize the common signs that a dog is about to become aggressive. These include:
- Deep sounding low growls.
- Baring teeth and engaging in a stare-down.
- Looking alert, with whiskers, and ears pointing forward, tail up the air, standing tall.
- Actually biting and snarling.
Managing Dog Aggression: Understanding Prey, Pack, Fight, and Flight Drives
It is necessary to approach the problem of dog aggression by considering the triggers of aggression in the context of prey, pack, and defense (fight or flight) drives. Each drive has its own set of triggers, and so the best approach to take to stop dog aggression depends on which drive is the cause of the aggression. Having said that, understanding your dogs’ personality so that you can predict how they will react in any given situation will help you manage all dog aggression situations.
Stop Dog Aggression – Prey Drive
Not surprisingly, a common cause of dog aggression results from a dogs drive to hunt and kill prey.
Dog Prey Drive Aggression Triggers:
Prey drive aggression is the most dangerous type of dog aggression because it can be triggered by so many different stimuli. Dogs high in prey drive are stimulated by sounds, smells, and objects that are moving (such as cars, bikes, joggers, and other animals). The real problem begins whenever the dog catches up to the stimuli.
Managing Dog Prey Drive Aggression
In order to manage aggression related to prey drive, ensure that your dog gets plenty of exercise. A great way to do this is by playing retrieve games. If your dog gets distracted (by a cat, squirrel, etc) while out for a walk, try to redirect his attention away from the stimuli back on to you, and then walk the other way. A simple command of “Leave it” may be enough to return his attention back to you, otherwise a quick leash check can be used to reinforce the verbal instruction.
Until your dog learns to come when he is called, its important not to let him loose in situations where he might run away from you. The best thing you can do is to train your dog to consistently come on command. Dogs should never be allowed to give chase to automobiles or people jogging or biking.
Stop Dog Aggression – Pack Drive
Pack drive relates to a set of behaviors associated with being part of a group. Particularly important in terms of aggression are behaviors relating to the struggle to increase status in the pack, and therefore increase opportunities for reproduction. Common manifestations of pack drive aggression include:
- Aggressive behavior directed at people.
- Aggression directed towards other dogs, even though there is no apparent reason for it.
- Not ending the attack when the other dog submits.
Dog Pack Drive Aggression Triggers
Pack drive aggression is frequently seen in dogs that were taken away from their mother and litter before the age of 7 weeks old. Around five to seven weeks old is when a puppy learns to inhibit its tendencies to bite, and begins learning how to understand dog body language. If a puppy has not learned these lessons they could be aggressive to others and overly protective of their human owners. If a dog is not socialized properly (being around people and other dogs and learning how to behave in such situations) before the age of six months, this can also lead to aggressive pack drive behaviors.
Managing Dog Pack Drive Aggression
If the problem is that your dog isn’t well socialized to humans, gradually get them used to being around other people. The problem of aggression towards other dogs is not so easy to fix. The most effective cure in the short term is prevention. Make sure you keep your dog on a leash so he doesn’t have the opportunity to bite other dogs. Gradually introduce your dog to other dogs over time, being very careful to keep your dog under control early on in this process.
A great tool that a lot of dog owners say helps to keep their aggressive dogs calm is oil of lavender. Oil of lavender is though to induce a peaceful state in dogs that otherwise have aggressive tendencies. Dab a small amount on a tissue, and apply it to your dogs muzzle and around the nose.
Stop Dog Aggression – Defense Drive (Fight and Flight).
The defense drive consists of both fight and flight behaviors, and comes from a dogs natural survival instinct. It’s more complicated to explain the defense drive since the same trigger/stimulus can result in either aggressive behavior (fight) or avoidance (flight).
A dog will often place his head over the shoulder of a rival dog. This is a classic sign of fight aggression. The dog who has the lower rank will drop his body down to signal that he recognizes that the other dog has a higher status.
A fight may break out if both dogs perceive each other as being equal in rank. A real dogfight is a very frightening and scary experience. To prevent one from occurring you need to learn how to recognize the signs and keep the dogs apart.
Dog Defense Drive Aggression Triggers
Many things can trigger aggressive behavior stemming from a dogs defense drive. Some of the most common triggers include:
- Approaching your dog in a threatening way.
- Towering over your dog.
- Staring out your dog.
- Taunting your dog.
- Making him get off the couch.
- Removing an item from his mouth.
- Getting close to another dog displaying an aggressive posture.
Managing Dog Defense Drive Aggression
An owner maintaining too tight a leash on a dog may cause a dogfight inadvertently. A leash that is taut causes your dogs body posture to become upright, which often interpreted as a signal of aggression by other dogs. When getting close to another dog, maintain a loose leash. If a dog’s growl or body language indicates that a fight might ensue, bring your dog to heel and head for safe territory. Calling your dog in a friendly manner is valuable because it helps change your dog from defense (fight) drive to pack drive.
It is important to give your dog lots of opportunities for exercise as well as training. Training tires the brain, while exercise tires you dog physically. Tug-of-war should be played several times throughout the week. This gives the dog a chance to use up his urge to growl, tug, and bite.
If you have come to the point where your dog is aggressive, you fear he will bite you, and you are not in control anymore, then a muzzle is the answer. It is very possible that you also need the help of a professional dog trainer. Give yourself peace of mind when taking your dog out in public by using a muzzle. Bare in mind that a muzzle is a last resort, and while it is useful in the short-term, your long-term focus should be on eradicating the undesirable aggression. Professional trainers can really help you achieve this.
Stop Dog Aggression – Fear Biters (Flight Drive)
Fear for their safety motivates ‘fear biters’ to lash out. Whenever this type of dog feels trapped and unable to escape the situation, it’s likely he will try to bite. Biting to him is a last resort, and ideally he would much rather get away from the situation causing him distress.
The best method for helping your dog to stop fear biting is not putting him in a position where he feels like his only choice is to bite. A dog that has strong flight drive may seem shy when around strangers, other dogs, or in situations he is unfamiliar with. Should your dog try to hide behind you, be sure to keep your dog a good distance away from the cause of his distress.
What this dog requires is an environment that is predictable and structured, and a training schedule that incorporates a good deal of confidence building. Keeping a daily schedule for walking, feeding, and playing with your dog will really help. Training with encouragement is a great way to increase self-confidence in a dog. You can also try enrolling your dog in a dog obedience class to help him get used to people and other dogs.
Stop Dog Aggression – Getting Attacked By Another Dog
Occasionally, dogs are victims of an attack through no fault of their own. Here is what you should do if another dog attacks your dog while you are out:
- Don’t start shouting and screaming, it will only make the dogfight worse.
- Your dog should be given the choice of fending for himself or retreating, so let go of his leash.
- Do not try to separate the dogs, for you could be bitten.
- Be patient and wait until one of the dogs gives up.
- Find out who the loose dog belongs to and take action.
Stop Dog Aggression – Feeding and Aggression
Your dog may start to growl if you get too close to its food bowl. Guarding food is an instinctive reaction that is actually fairly common among dogs and is not something to be particularly concerned about.
Some owners exacerbate this behavior by trying to take away the food bowl while a dog is eating. This is not a good idea and tends to makes the problem worse.
In order to stop feeding aggression, you need to ensure that your dog is fed in a place where no other people or dogs can get to their food bowl. A good place to feed a dog is inside a crate. Feeding inside a crate or other quiet location means that your dog can eat in peace.