Why is Your Dog Aggressive?
Understanding what’s causing your dog’s aggression is a great way to start to deal with it.
It’s scary to have an aggressive dog, even if their aggression is never directed at you. However, aggression doesn’t mean that your dog is somehow bad. Their aggression could be motivated by many different things, and when you can pinpoint why exactly your dog is behaving in an aggressive manor, you will be able to come up with a plan to deal with that aggression. That’s why our dog training experts in Madison have come up with the following list of common causes of aggression in dogs:
#1. Health Issues
If your otherwise friendly dog has suddenly started to snap, growl or bite, then there may be a health reason for the sudden change in behavior. There are a variety of illnesses that could cause your dog to become aggressive, including thyroid disease, a brain tumor and rabies. Any time your dog’s behavior changes suddenly, you should consult your veterinarian before doing anything else.
#2. Dominance
Some dogs will behave aggressively to demonstrate their dominance. This type of aggression is your dog’s way of showing you that they are in charge, and it will often be displayed when they feel like their dominance is being contested.
As we stated earlier, dog aggression could be triggered by many things, and it’s important to pinpoint exactly what is causing your dog to behave aggressively. Would you like to learn about more common causes of aggression in dogs? If so, please stay tuned for our next blog.
The first step to dealing with your dog’s aggression is to find out what is causing it.
Most dogs aren’t aggressive, and that right there should tell you that aggression isn’t a behavior that naturally comes to dogs. If your dog is aggressive, then there’s a reason for it, and to deal with that aggression, you first need to understand what is causing it. In our last blog, our dog trainer in Madison went over a couple common causes of aggression in dogs. Keep reading to learn more:
#3. Fear
Just as people can become aggressive when they are afraid, so can dogs. If your dog is fearful, they will only bite or growl if they feel like they are in danger and unable to escape otherwise. In a situation like this, punishing a fearful dog for being aggressive will only make the problem worse.
#4. Frustration
Aggression due to frustration is often called barrier frustration or redirected aggression. For example, if your dog is stuck on a leash tied to a tree and the neighbor’s dog is egging them on all day long, they may take their frustration out by biting you or growling at you when you untie them. This type of aggression is most common in dogs who spend a lot of time alone tied to a tree or behind a fence.
#5. Possession Aggression
A dog can become possessive of their food, toys, yard, bed or even their owner! For example, a dog who growls or snaps when someone gets near their food bowl is a dog who has possession aggression.
Need help dealing with your dog’s aggressive behavior? If so, contact our dog trainer in Madison today!
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