According to police records in 2023, there was a 34% increase in dog attacks in over 5 years. Moreover, in the same year, 24% of veterinarians in the UK observed an increasing number of pets sustaining injuries caused by aggressive behaviours in dogs in the last 12 months.
A Facebook survey by Cesar Millan asked about the most serious problem that owners have when it comes to their dogs. Unsurprisingly, aggression was the most common answer.
Indeed, it takes a stretch of patience to understand an aggressive dog. More often than not, the dog is not aggressive; it may have been curious and overly excited when exposed outside. “In reality, very few dogs are actually aggressive,” Millan added.
7 Types of Dog Aggression
How do you stop dog aggression? First, it is important to identify and assess the circumstances that trigger your dog to engage in such an aggressive reaction. Here are some common instances that may provoke your dog to be aggressive:
- Fear Dog Aggression. A fearful dog usually tries to run or hide from the perceived threat. However, if left with no other choice, he may resort to aggressive actions when he feels threatened. This is common to both puppies and adults. Fear aggression is also known as defensive aggression.
- Frustrated Dog Aggression. A frustrated dog usually snaps aggressively at whoever or anything that is holding him back from his eye of interest. This could happen to canines that are deprived of exercise and kept in a cage or leashed.
- Social Dog Aggression. This is a way of showing dominance to other dogs or family members. Social aggression is displayed by canines when they want to flaunt their high status towards others.
- Territorial Dog Aggression. It is apparent for dogs to assume and mark their territory where they live. Your pooch may attack and bite anyone that he perceives as an intruder. Territorial aggression is also dubbed protective aggression.
- Pain-Elicited Dog Aggression. Even your furry friend who is known for his sweet behaviour may react aggressively when in pain.As such, when you notice unusual aggressiveness in your pooch when touched, there may be some physical problems that are bothering him. The first thing to do is to visit the vet for medical consultation.
- Predatory Dog Aggression. Certain types of dog breeds are intentionally developed to display a high prey drive or predatory behaviours. If this instinct is not properly controlled, it may result in them chasing and attacking a person or animal they perceive as prey.Unlike other types of dog aggression, this type of aggressive behaviour is characterised by the absence of vocalisation and damaging bites.
- Possessive Dog Aggression. This behavioural problem is more commonly known as resource guarding. Possessive aggression is triggered when a dog’s possession such as a food or toy, which he finds highly desirable, is approached by a person or other pets.The pooch may behave aggressively to keep his possessions from being taken away by someone else.
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How to Manage Dog Aggression
What to do with:
Aggression Towards Passers-by
During walks in public places where there are other dogs and children, make sure that you are capable of getting a hold of your dog when it is necessary.
If not, you may consider getting a head halter or a muzzle for safety measures. If your pooch did a great job in following you, you need to praise it or you may use a clicker.
Other safety measures to keep in mind are:
- Avoid walking around loose dogs.
- Avoid walking with several dogs at the same time when you know one of them is an aggressive one. An aggressive dog requires your full attention when allowed to be outside.
Aggression Towards Other Dogs
When you have successfully established your place as an alpha dog, dog-on-dog aggression may be discouraged by your presence. As long as the pack leader is calm, your dog will not sense the fear of dominance.Dog lead may trigger fear because it may cause the dog to feel trapped upon interaction with other dogs. As such, gradual introduction to social encounters with other dogs is recommended in a safe place where both can roam free.
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Aggression Towards People
A veterinary behaviourist or animal behaviour specialist can help you assess your dog and give options for action plans.
- Keep your dog at a safe distance where it feels safe.
- Provide facilities at home that can be an alternative for public walks.
- Get professional help for action plans.
4 Tips to Prevent Dog Aggression
1. Be the Alpha in Command
In a dog’s world, they live in a hierarchy. Similar to a pack of wolves, there is always a leader or “alpha dog.”
If the alpha position is not well-established, it may automatically claim the throne. To prevent this, you have to firmly establish yourself as the alpha dog. There are ways to live as a pet parent and a leader; one of them is to be firm with rules.
2. Physical Punishment Is Not a Wise Choice
Most dog owners would punish aggressive dogs. Using aggressive behaviour to punish an aggressive dog may motivate such aggression. Instead of punishment, you may distract your dog from exercise, which would help to burn off his excess energy.
In addition, you may intensify your role as an alpha leader who supports self-confidence by giving protection to the pack.
3. Set a Consistent Sleeping Arrangement
If your dog is acting like the alpha, he may assume his place in the most comfortable space—your bed.
During training, you may want to establish where he rightfully sleeps: in a crate or a dog bed. You have to keep this routine until he finally understands the chain of command.
4. Have Strict Mealtime Rules
Bear in mind that you are still establishing your higher place. As an alpha, you may eat your meal first and he will be fed last. You may eat together as soon as everything is well established.Give comfort and try to be calm around people or other dogs. This way, your dog will feel safer with the calm presence of an alpha dog and could even prevent aggression.
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FAQs About Dog Aggression
1. How to Remain Calm Around Aggressive Dogs?
Remaining calm around aggressive dogs can be difficult. However, the best you can do is to exude a relaxed demeanour even if you feel anything but.
Stand still, put your hands on your sides, and avoid making direct eye contact with the dog. Avoid any sudden movements as it could trigger him to attack. Make yourself as uninteresting as possible until he backs down.
Then you can start slowly backing away from the dog. However, do not turn your back on him in case he might lunge. So keep facing him as you walk backwards at a slow pace.
2. What Does Hostile Body Language in Dogs Look Like?
A hostile body language in dogs is usually characterised by bared teeth, a taut body, a direct stare, raised hackles, and a stiff horizontal tail.
If you spot a canine exhibiting this type of posture, do not approach and increase the distance between you and the animal.
3. How Do You Tell If a Dog Is Playing or Being Aggressive?
You can tell if your dog is playing or being aggressive through his body language. Pooches who are in a playful mood may show the following behaviours:
- Play bow
- Play biting
- Play growling
- Exposing their bellies to playmates
Sometimes roughhousing in dogs can go too far and may result in dog aggression. To avoid this problem, closely monitor your pet’s body language. If he starts to freeze, snarl, and have a stiff posture, extract him from the situation immediately.
4. How to Tell If a Dog Is Biting Out of Fear?
You can tell if a dog is biting out of fear when his initial reaction before resulting in this behaviour is finding a way to escape. For most fearful canines, they would rather run away from a threatening situation instead of choosing to stay and fend for themselves.
Fighting back is commonly their last resort when there is no other way to escape the situation.
Conclusion
Have an empathetic approach when it comes to addressing dog aggression. Many dogs that show aggressive behaviours are not truly aggressive.
They are often a victim of circumstances, such as not receiving proper exercise, training, or socialisation. Sometimes, the presence of an underlying illness can trigger aggression as well.
Knowing how to detect aggression through a dog’s body language can help avert dog attacks before they can take place.
