| s no such thing as a dog that is mean or aggressive | | | | and as young as possible. Dogs can be afraid of |
| simply for the sake of being mean or aggressive | | | | unusual things, people, or situations they don't |
| even though it may often seem that way. Nearly a | | | | understand and find potentially threatening. If your |
| million people are admitted to a hospital each year | | | | dog has never had any interaction with children or |
| with a dog bite injury and a couple dozen of those | | | | other dogs for instance they may get very tense |
| actually die. | | | | during an unexpected social occurrence. Dogs can |
| It is important to understand the mind of a dog to | | | | even get scared by things such as a bicyclist or |
| best avoid violent or aggressive reactions from the | | | | skateboarders if they have never encountered such |
| animal. Even dogs that seem to always be friendly | | | | things. |
| can potentially bite a person if they misunderstand | | | | Dogs can very easily be scared of strangers or |
| that persons actions. There are specific reasons for | | | | strange places. The animal will often settle down if |
| dog aggression that can be avoided more often than | | | | scared of a stranger or place if you yourself greet |
| not provided you understand the dogs behavior. | | | | the person or examine the place in a very non fearful |
| Dominant Dog Aggression And Behavior | | | | and un alerted manor, dogs will feel and perceive |
| Dogs are descended from wolves which are by | | | | your emotional state and often take to the same |
| nature pack animals. In any given pack there is | | | | feeling. |
| always one dominate pack leader followed by a | | | | Fearful aggression is not breed specific, any dog can |
| hierarchy of leadership. The pack leader gets their | | | | be afraid. Beginning signs of fearful aggression are |
| pick of the resting spots, the food, and the territory | | | | barking, growling, or lunging as a warning to ward of |
| in general. | | | | whatever it is that is scaring the dog. If these |
| Most common dominate behavior occurs when a dog | | | | warnings are not heeded by the offender a nip or |
| growls or snaps at someone when they try to move | | | | bite will often follow. |
| the dog, step over the dog, or touch the dogs food | | | | If you encounter a dog that is exhibiting these |
| or other items the dog perceives as their own. When | | | | warnings there are some things that you shouldn't do. |
| a dog is behaving dominantly the dog believes he is | | | | Do not run away, if you run the dog will almost |
| the pack leader of your family or at least that they | | | | definitely react giving chase. Stay quite don't alarm |
| have greater authority than the family member who | | | | the dog, don't flail your arms out, don't move |
| they are exhibiting dominance over. | | | | suddenly, avoid eye contact, and try not to act |
| Dogs are more likely to exhibit dominate behavior | | | | scared as you move away slowly. |
| when they are not neutered and males are much | | | | Some Less Common Reasons For Dog Aggression |
| more likely to be dominate than females. There are | | | | Poor training or mistreatment can be an obvious |
| also certain dog breeds that more typically behave | | | | cause for dog aggression. Training your dog to be |
| dominantly such as Lhaso Apsos, Chows, Rottweilers, | | | | aggressive will obviously make him aggressive. Also |
| and Ridgebacks, among many other breeds. While an | | | | negative reinforcement during training and excessive |
| un neutered male Pitbull may be more likely to be | | | | teasing or mistreating the dog can lead to biting or |
| dominate, a neutered female Pomeranian could also | | | | aggressive behavior. |
| end up exhibiting dominant behavior. | | | | While giving birth a female dog can be extremely |
| Good training at a young age will help deter this | | | | aggressive if you come near her. The mother is also |
| behavior by showing your dog that you are the pack | | | | aggressive during the first 2 or 3 weeks afterwards |
| leader. Always treat your dog in a calm and assertive | | | | until the puppies eyes are open and they can move |
| manor without negative or fearful reinforcement | | | | around on their own accord. There is no special |
| failure to do so could prove to a dog that has | | | | training to avoid this maternal aggressive behavior if |
| dominate tendencies that you are not fit to be the | | | | you intend to breed your dog you simply need to |
| pack leader in your home. | | | | provide a safe and comfortable place for the mother |
| Fearful Dog Aggression And Behavior | | | | to care for her newborns and everyone needs to to |
| Dogs may also react aggressively if they are afraid | | | | respect this space. |
| for any reason. Just because you understand a | | | | Aggression can be induced by pain. If your dog is in |
| situation and aren't scared doesn't mean the dog | | | | pain due to disease or injury they could potentially |
| understands. When the fight or flight response kicks | | | | lash out at someone consoling them or caring for |
| in many dogs will opt to defend themselves. Dogs | | | | them. This is similar to fear aggression the dog simply |
| can get scared for any number of reasons but being | | | | doesn't understand why they are in pain and |
| careful to avoid certain behavioral actions can often | | | | associates it will you be careful not to cause |
| avoid fearful behavior. | | | | excessive pain especially by someone the dog |
| The best way to avoid fearful aggression in your dog | | | | doesn't trust. |
| is to properly socialize your dog as much as possible | | | | |