While most dogs can be friendly and even playful with other dogs, many dogs also have moments where they are aggressive toward other dogs, whether it’s chasing them or trying to fight them. This kind of behavior in dogs can be dangerous, particularly if the dog or dogs are off their leash and the owners aren’t nearby to intervene. For this reason, dog aggression should always be taken seriously, and you should work with your veterinarian or an animal behaviorist to get advice on how to address it properly. Here are some possible reasons behind the canine attitude and what you can do about it.


Dog Agression


Diet

No matter what type of dog you have, it’s essential to feed your pup a high-quality diet. If you’re not confident in your dog’s diet, consult with your vet on specific food that will best meet your pup’s nutritional needs. Whether you choose wet or dry kibble, find a brand that contains healthy nutrients like omega fatty acids and calcium to support strong bones and muscles. In addition to a well-balanced diet, consider vitamins and supplements if needed. For example, dogs older than seven years typically benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin for aging joints. These types of supplements can help provide relief from the pain associated with osteoarthritis.

Lack of socialization

Dogs need to be properly socialized during their first few months of life to build positive associations with other dogs and people. Puppies who are not exposed to many different people, animals, or settings will likely develop a more aggressive attitude as they get older. Puppies can also show aggression simply because they don’t understand what’s expected of them—make sure your dog knows how you expect him to behave through proper training and education.

Overpopulation

Dogs in shelters are often either surrendered by owners who can no longer care for them or picked up as strays. Because of these circumstances, dogs who arrive at a shelter already have an ingrained distrust of humans, which compounds over time if they remain in the shelter. To keep your dog from biting your kids or visitors to your home, always make sure he’s receiving attention and exercise so he doesn’t feel neglected or like an outsider in his own home. Talk to him calmly and give him plenty of attention so he knows you care about his feelings and needs. This will help make you less threatening as a human authority figure.

Backyard breeding

There are no government regulations about breeding your dog, so backyard breeders often produce large numbers of puppies with little oversight. And, even if a breeder cares for their dogs properly, these puppies can face health issues or aggressive personalities. If you adopt from a backyard breeder, you risk bringing an unpredictable dog into your home—and you’re also likely supporting a breeder who doesn’t care about her dogs and could be perpetuating dog aggression in others.

Lack of training

Sometimes dog aggression stems from a lack of training. Dogs can be mean if they don’t know how to act around people or other animals, or if they are afraid of them. Dogs can also feel threatened by things like loud noises, strange smells, and unfamiliar situations; in these cases, dogs might use aggression as a defense mechanism. When your dog acts aggressively, he might do so because you haven’t adequately trained him to react differently in uncomfortable situations. Training your dog to walk on a leash, sit and respond to commands can help ensure that his first reaction when faced with something scary, isn’t to bite.

Fear/threats

This is one of those dog aggression causes that most pet owners consider first, but it’s usually not relevant. For example, a dog that growls at other dogs while on a walk may be fearful of them because they don’t know what to do in that situation. This type of dog aggression can be remedied with training.

Types of dog aggression fall into the following categories

  • Dominance - challenging the leader of the pack, owner, or another dog
  • Territorial - protection of yard, toys, food, owner
  • Predatory - chasing moving objects, children, cars, bikes, animals, etc
  • Sexual - two males competing for mating privileges
  • Maternal - mother protecting her pups
  • Irritable - strikes older dogs who do not like annoying and noisy children. It also strikes female dogs during their periods of estrus.

Ultimately, regardless of the reason or cause for a dog’s aggressive behavior, we should concentrate on the consequences it could have on others—biting. A bite is a bite, and no excuse can justify a dog’s bite—ever! Some biting habits can be corrected, others cannot. In a few severe cases where correction was possible, a qualified dog behaviorist along with the help of a vet who prescribed medication to lower the level of aggression in a dog was utilized.

If your dog is displaying aggressive behavior, rehabilitation must start immediately. Remember aggression begets aggression. When handling an aggressive dog, do not hit the dog as this will cause the dog to react with more aggression and worsen your problem further. Nor should you heed the advice of trainers that recommend corporate punishment as a form of treatment.