Most people have probably seen an aggressive dog at some point in their lives. Signs of aggression are typically growling, or even biting someone. In some cases, a bad experience with an aggressive dog can leave a person with a phobia for the rest of their lives. One of the best ways to deal with canine aggression is to identify what the triggers are.
Knowing what causes aggression in dogs is the most effective way to correct bad behavior. Believe it or not, old dogs can learn new tricks. Rather than allowing the bad behavior to continue, it’s important to rectify it. Here are some of the most common reasons why dogs start getting aggressive, and how you can fix it.
Feeling Protective
Dogs are incredibly loyal creatures. Once they choose someone to be committed to, they will be fiercely protective. If a dog feels like someone is coming too close or posing a threat to their owner, it’s not uncommon for them to lash out.
While loyalty may seem appealing for some dog owners, it can be dangerous if your dog attacks a stranger for no reason.
Dogs can be protective of more than just humans. They may feel protective over a toy, their food, or even an area that they feel is theirs. Their aggression may display itself towards animals and humans, putting multiple different lives at risk.
Illness or Injury
In some cases, dogs may be feeling ill or in pain, which can lead to behavioral aggression. Dogs don’t have the ability to be able to tell people when they’re not feeling well. The only way they know how to communicate is to express themselves through their body language. If you inflict pain or flare up an injury, they may become self-protective and attempt to attack you.
If your dog suddenly becomes quite aggressive, particularly when you tried to touch them, you may want to consider that it could be a result of an injury or illness.
Anxiety
Just like humans can get anxious and stressed, so can dogs. If a dog has suddenly experienced something that causes them to feel anxious or worried, they might lash out as a result of anxiety. In most cases, it’s a result of moving their environment or having to welcome another pet or human into their home. Try to identify potential reasons why your dog may be feeling anxious.
Fear
The number one reason why dogs attack is because they are scared. Even though there may not be a reason for them to be fearful, they may be feeling in danger nevertheless. It can often happen as a result of negative experiences in their past. If you decide to adopt a dog who has a history of abuse with their prior owner, it may take months to years of behavioral therapy to fix.
Leave a Reply