All You Need to Know About Aggressive Dogs

by Andrew Garcia

Oct 20, 2022

2 minute read

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What Causes Aggression in Dogs?
Which Dog Breeds Are the Most Aggressive?
Can You Cure an Aggressive Dog?
Conclusion

Despite being our best friends, dogs can get aggressive and lose their friendly part. Canine aggression is not strange and is shown in various ways. The common ones include growling or, in worse situations, biting.

All aggression in dogs negatively affects both the dog and the owner. The good news, however, is that there is a way out. Since dogs are not naturally aggressive from birth, proper training can help reduce the problem. Dogs with poor or zero training are more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors, considering their responses to situations are almost always due to instincts.

Click to learn more about how to leash train a puppy

What Causes Aggression in Dogs?

The first step in preventing or resolving canine aggression is understanding why it happens. Here are a few potential causes;

Need for Protection

You are most likely familiar with the desirable protective behaviors pup exhibit to friends and family. But this is different. Protection-related aggressiveness sets in when your dog is hyper-vigilant over what he thinks is his territory.

Illness and Injuries

Dogs do not communicate by speaking. It is slightly more difficult for pet owners to understand what their furry friends are going through. Sometimes, your dog’s aggressiveness might be a way to tell you that he is sick or injured. When this happens, touch him gently to see if he is more sensitive in some places. You may need to arrange a vet consultation, depending on your findings.

Feeling Anxious

If you recently changed your dog’s environment, he is more likely to show aggressive behaviors due to the resulting anxiety. Other causes of stress in dogs include the arrival of a new family member or moving into a new apartment.

Exercising Dominance

Considering their nature as pack animals, dogs may display some form of social aggression when they come across new dogs. The aggression comes with the need to figure out a new hierarchy among themselves. However, this doesn’t last for long.

Need to Guard Resources

Dogs tend to guard resources like food and food bowls, bed, and their favorite toys. These resource triggers are usually high-value items your dog is willing to battle over rather than lose easily. It might get so fierce that the intruder gets bitten.

Which Dog Breeds Are the Most Aggressive?

According to a study involving 30 dog breeds, the most aggressive of the lot include Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, and Jack Russel Terriers. You are probably surprised at this, considering most people believe that large dogs are the more aggressive breeds. However, the breeds listed above are small, and they, alongside Beagles and American Cocker Spaniels, recorded the highest number of dogs that showed aggression toward strangers and even their owners.

Can You Cure an Aggressive Dog?

The first step is to understand and see the situation for what it really is. Contrary to the popular view, aggression in dogs is not due to disobedience. It is usually a response to a component of the dog’s environment. Your furry friend is not intentionally mean; he is most likely frustrated or afraid.

As inappropriate as the vast majority of canine aggression cases are, the truth is that there is no cure. You can only manage your dog’s aggressive situation and works towards reducing it. This requires proper treatment under the supervision of a veterinary behavioral expert. So, do not expect the aggression to disappear after a few pills or a new diet. It takes time, patience, and much love.

Conclusion

As a dog owner, it is important to take good care of your best buddy. If you find him being aggressive suddenly, try to figure out the reasons behind and make a proper training plan for your pup. With enough patience and love, you can definitely solve this problem together with your four-legged friend.

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