Simple Ideas about Dog Aggression

I went over dog park etiquette and one of the big factors is dog aggression. I love this poster I found at http://lovemypitbull.wordpress.com/, “Top Myths about Dog Aggression.” There are lots of reasons dogs are aggressive and this is a great list to consider.

Frankly, dogs are  pack animals and they assert dominance to protect or defend what is theirs.  Another factor is breeding. Some dogs are bred to be aggressive. For instance terriers are bred to hunt rats, moles, and so on. When their natural prey is not available, the dog may be aggressive at other things or people. Then, there are people who train their dogs to be aggressive.  Let’s talk about dog aggression in general though. The finer details are for later.

So, what does aggression look like? Note, aggressive dogs give threat! They give signs like curling lips, barring teeth, body shaking, growling, snapping, or biting.  The dog may growl, but they growl when they play, so it is important to see the other signs, too. IF you see aggressive signs, back away from the dog and remain calm. Be aware, punishment can only make your pet’s aggression worse.  The dog will not respond the way you want it to.

 A playful dog usually has the tail wagging, seems to be smiling at you, and is intent on playing. The dog may play bow, with his rump in the air, tail wagging and head down. Playful growls or excited barking are common with the play bow.

Aggression is a serious problem and is something you will need help to solve. A single bite can mean a great deal of trouble that can be easily avoided! Also, pay attention to the situations that provoke aggressive behavior in your dog  and avoid putting the dog in those situations.

You may want to take your dog to the vet to eliminate any concerns of aggression caused by pain or health issues.  Next, you will want to find a behaviorist. Look for one that is up to date. A behaviorists that recommends alpha rolls, holding the dog on its back, etc., probably is not current on better techniques.

Colorado Springs has quite a few dog trainers & behaviorists. There are at least 10, possibly more. A list of local trainers can be found at http://www.petacularusa.com/.

I want to acknowledge additional info I summarized here from Kim Campbell Thornton’s book, Simple Solutions, Aggression (2003), A Dogfancy book, Bowtie Press available at local pet stores. I recommend this book along with other books written by Ms. Thronton.