Dog Obedience Training Ideas

Aggressive Behavior in Dogs

As mentioned in page 1 of “How to Stop Aggressive Dog Behavior”, it is important to pinpoint the cause of theaggressive behavior in dogs in order to appropriately resolve the issue.  Aggression to a dog is just a necessary reaction to a situation. For example, when you welcome visitors to your home you may hug and kiss them.  The visitors may then attempt to pet your dog and give him praises.  These are normal human behaviors.  Now imagine your dog greeting another dog in the same matter as humans, the affection gestures would be considered an aggression behavior.  That is why is crucial that you begin a behavior modification program, so your dog understands what behavior is unacceptable.

Regardless of the types of aggressive dog behavior he exhibits you should not ignore it, as it can become a serious problem at home or social events.  Here is a list of the most common types of aggressive dog behavior:

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Types of Aggressive Dog Behavior

Fear and Anxiety-Based Aggression in Dogs
Fear is one the most common types of aggressive dog behavior.  It can be the result of genetic predisposition, or it may be due to prior mistreatment or trauma.  If a dog perceives that he is about to be harmed, he may lash out in self-defense. For instance, if a dog is punished and runs to hide, he may bite if the owner pursues him to inflict further punishment.  Excessively punishing your dog is abusive.  Dogs may also be fearful of strangers or other dogs.  This type of aggressive dog behavior must be taken seriously.  Whether the owner perceives the fear to be based in reality or to be purely imaginary, the fear is very real to the dog.

Dominance Aggression in Dogs
Dogs are pack animals and live within a set of strict hierarchies.  It is important not only for the primary owner to be established as the Top Dog or Alpha Dog, but all humans must be respected as superior.  As cruel as it sounds, the dog needs to be at the bottom of the pecking order in your family, and ideally in the family of man as well.  Otherwise, an unstable hierarchy occurs and the result is aggressive dog behavior. Dogs that have not accepted their human’s dominance may react negatively to well-intended gestures, such as petting and hugging, interpreting them as challenges to his status.  Maintaining prolonged eye contact can provoke a dog with status issues.  If a dog is acting aggressively, avoid direct eye contact altogether.

Territorial Aggression in Dogs
This types of aggressive dog behavior is personified by the age-old conflict between the dog and the postman.  Every day, a person in uniform violates the dog’s space.  The end result, at best, is that the post office will refuse to deliver the mail.  At worst, the dog’s owner will be the target of a lawsuit to redress dog-inflicted injuries.  Dogs may have small or vast territories, depending on whether they have scent-marked their own yard, or the entire neighborhood.  Overly territorial dogs will display aggressive dog behavior to any person or animal entering their space.

Possessive Aggression in Dogs
The dog may defend his food bowl, his bed, or anything he considers to belong to him, including you. These types of aggressive dog behavior may also manifest itself in mild ways, such as a dog growling when you reach for the toy he’s chewing on. It is important to recognize the difference between happy dog aggression, which is a part of play, and the hostile signs, like flattened ears and raised hackles, that precede dog bites.

Protective Aggression in Dogs
This aggressive dog behavior is directed at any person or animal that the dog perceives as a threat to his human family. For instance, a protective dog might charge at, or even bite, another child who is innocently engaged in a game of tag with the dog’s owner.

Redirected Aggression in Dogs
When dogs are unable to reach the target of their true aggressive emotions – such as a dog on the other side of a fence – they may transfer their aggressive dog behavior to whoever is nearby.  That could be another family dog or even a member of the dog’s human family.  Be cautious when approaching your dog if he is in an agitated state.

Maternal Aggression in Dogs
A mother dog may growl or even bark when defending her puppies from a perceived threat.  It is important to educate children not to casually approach a litter of puppies.  The mother’s protection is most intense when the puppies are defenseless and the aggressive dog behavior will usually end when the puppies are weaned.

It is crucial that you discourage your dog from exhibiting any of these types of aggressive dog behavior and take the time to train.  Click here, if you are ready to buy and start training your dog with the Top Dog Training Product currently available online.

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