Many dogs have a natural instinct to chase something.  Those triggers are usually activated by some fast, unexpected movement, like a bicycle, a cat, or even a car.   All dogs, regardless of how sweet they can be, are capable of predatory aggression.  Training when he or she is young will help you to control this natural instinct.  Unfortunately, if they are successful at chasing down and killing their prey early in their lives, the habit can be extremely hard to break.  As evidenced by their wild canine cousins, wolves, dogs are predators.  Many generations of domestication, selective breeding, and training have dramatically reduced their predatory instincts. Continue Reading

Food aggression is something that I do not put up with in my pack.  When my brother, Tax, joined our family, he was food aggressive.  He would growl and snap when anyone approached either his food or water dish.  I gave him a few days to get used to our family and our place, but I could not have anyone in my pack aggressive about food, so it was time for me to rule with an iron paw! Continue Reading

Lately, we have been getting TONS of questions about aggression issues.  These questions have led to some great articles on other topics, but it looks like aggression in general is a very broad and vague topic.  If you have questions about aggression, we have an excellent series about the different types, how they manifest, and how to treat or manage them.  You can find the articles that address aggression (both as part of the series and recent questions about it) here.

As a guide to help you decide whether your dog has some aggression issues, check out the questions below and keep track of how many apply to your canine family: Continue Reading

Last September, a reader adopted what they think is a Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix puppy from a rescue at approximately eight weeks of age.  Throughout most of her puppyhood, she had a very timid personality, and she was always extra cautious of people and inanimate objects, but she was always very playful with and intrigued by other dogs.  Now, the family is starting to notice some behavior at 1 ½ years old that is disturbing to them. Continue Reading

It seems like you have a wonderful dog, you have given him a great home, but when you go out to the off leash dog park, things change, right?  Being off leash is truly a fantastic feeling.  Running around with the wind blowing through your hair as your ears flap in the wind is almost as much fun as riding in the car with our head hanging out of the window.  However, such a fantastic joy as it is, being off leash is ALWAYS a privilege.  This is something that needs to be earned. Continue Reading

There are times when you have conversations with “dog” people that know little or nothing about dogs or their behavior.  They are often looked to for suggestions and advice because they hold a position of influence.  Oftentimes, they will dispense advice throwing words around that they may have overheard in a conversation.  Some of those words or phrases can be dangerous in the hands of untrained, uneducated individuals.  Phrases like fear aggression are among those that are dangerous.  They think that because they were thinking fast enough to throw out that phrase, it will impress people, increasing their influence among those they encounter.  Some of these people do not have a clue as to what fear aggression actually is, let alone what can be done to modify or manage it. Continue Reading

Since these forms of aggression are pretty similar and involve the defense of something the dog considers to be of great value, I have combined their information into one article.  The traits associated with each of these types of aggression are similar, with slight differences that we will examine.

Protective Aggression:

This type of aggression is generally directed toward another animal or a person that the dog perceives to be threat to his pack or his position in the pack.  Continue Reading

What Is Redirected Aggression?

Redirected aggression is also known as being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  This dog behavior is usually seen when two dogs are fighting, and someone tries to interfere or break them up.  Both dogs have their adrenaline pumping, and they are already wound up to fight when someone tries to step in and break up the fight.  One or both dogs may turn their aggression from each other to the person who interferes.  Other types of aggression (territorial, fear, etc.) may be the initial cause that results in redirected aggression toward a person. Continue Reading

I received a question via e-mail last week about aggression.  Since there are eight different types of aggression, I have decided to break things down into an eight-part series on aggression.  Fear aggression is the second topic I will cover, and it is included below.

What is fear aggression?

Fear aggression is actually pretty self-explanatory.  It occurs when a dog is frightened by something and that will trigger a “fight” response.  Since his fear does not allow him the luxury of the “flight” response, he will respond the only way he can.  He bites.

This often happens as the result of a puppy’s improper socialization, especially not being properly socialized at the appropriate time.  From the age of three weeks to three months, your puppy should only be exposed to positive people and things.  Don’t ask me why, but some things to avoid this include men with beards, anyone with a hat, ladies with shrill voices, and even children, unless VERY CLOSELY SUPERVISED.  Taunting a dog or punishing him too severely can also lead to fear aggression.

Signs of fear aggression in your dog:

• Nearly always displaying submissive body language
• Ears that are laid back usually flat against the head
• Tail is tucked between the legs
• Reluctance to rolling over to expose their belly
• Avoidance of eye contact
• Tilt of their head toward the person seeking the dog’s attention, often licking their lips
• Do not like to be groomed, especially the feet

What can be done to help correct this?

• Train him using ONLY positive reinforcement. Remember, you are building or re-building trust!
• Do not reinforce any fear aggressive behavior positively.
• Never surprise or startle the dog.
• Do not punish bad behavior.  Correct the behavior.
• Do not allow people to pet the dog without permission, especially strangers.

Fear aggression can be very tricky.  Often, people will observe a fearful dog and try to give the dog some comfort.  However, the dog may not be aware of what the human is doing, and he will bite as a response.  Although any breed of dog can be fear aggressive, some breeds are born with fearful or anxious behavior tendencies and are more likely to be fear aggressive.

Dogs are the most social creatures on the face of the earth.   In fact, a dog is actually more social than a human being.  Allowing your dog to learn how to socialize at an early age will help prevent fear aggression.
Because most people are not well versed in canine body language, it is advisable that a professional be contacted to help with this situation in a dog that is exhibiting fear aggressive behavior.  The most important thing with fear aggression is to avoid the situation that causes the behavior (leashes, cages, grooming, etc.) when possible, until you can correct it with the aforementioned professional.

I received a question via e-mail last week about aggression.  Since there are eight different types of aggression, I have decided to break things down into an eight-part series on aggression.  Dominance aggression is the first topic I will cover, and it is included below.

DOMINANCE AGGRESSION

What is it?

With dominance aggression, everything is about control.  It is the struggle between a dog and the human deciding who is actually in charge.  Dogs are always giving communication signals.  Sometimes, humans do not pick up on the true meaning of these signals.

Some large dogs like to jump up and put their paws on your shoulders.  Most of the time, people think that this is cute because it looks like he is giving the person a hug.  While it may look really cute, the dog is thinking, “I’m in charge here!”

These are the signs of a dominant aggressive dog:

• They do not like to be stared at.
• They do not like for anyone to reach over their head.
• They act aggressive when they are corrected verbally.
• Their aggression may become worse if you physically corrected.
• They do not like to be pushed on their shoulders and back.
• They do not like to be moved from (aka demoted) from beds and sofas.
• They nudge your hand to insist that you pet them.
• They growl or bare their teeth for no reason.
• They snap at people without cause.
• They defend “their” property (food, toys, etc.)

What can you do if you find that you have a dominant aggressive dog?

• Remember that you can not train what you can not control.
• Control your dog’s access to keep him only in certain areas of your home.  Close doors or use baby gates.
• When outside, always use a head halter or muzzle.
• Avoid the things that cause the aggressive behavior.
• Supervise or confine your dog around other animals or children.
• If you are challenged by the dog, relieve the tension by sweet talking him.
• Dominant aggressive dogs can be especially dangerous.  This is a problem that does not get better on its own.  Consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.

SOME FACTS:

• Canine dominance aggression develops between 18 and 36 months of age.
• When a dog has learned dominance aggressive behavior, it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to change.
• Puppies should begin socialization with humans by 3 weeks of age and continue with positive situations until 14 weeks of age.  This socialization will help their future relationships with people.
• Adult dogs should ALWAYS be rewarded for their good behavior.  This does not necessarily mean treats.  Dogs love attention, so hugs, petting, and general expressions of love are also treats.  Keep in mind that these same rewards should not be given for bad behavior.

This is a reminder that this material and any material I write is for your information only. If you suspect in any way that your dog is having a problem with dominance aggression, I strongly advise you to seek professional guidance. Aggression of any sort is far too complex to understand by reading a few pages on the Internet.  I feel that humans and my fellow canines will be better served you do not try to tackle this issue alone!