There are several potential causes of aggression in dogs. Some medical conditions can cause dogs to become aggressive. If a dog that has never shown any sign of aggression suddenly begins growling , snapping, or biting, it may be caused by a disease or illness. Pain is an especially common cause of aggression in dogs. Some possible causes of pain include arthritis , bone fractures, internal injuries, various tumors , and lacerations.
Other illnesses may affect your dog's brain, leading to seemingly unreasonable aggression. Conditions such as cognitive dysfunction and brain diseases or tumors may provoke the onset of aggression. These problems are more likely to occur in older dogs but can happen at any age. If your dog is exhibiting sudden, unexplained aggression, talk to your veterinarian before attempting to address it as a behavior problem. You may be tempted to try giving your dog medication to relieve pain, but this is something you should not do.
If your dog is sick, you'll need to know exactly what is wrong with it before you begin any treatment. Don't try to take matters into your own hands until you know what you're dealing with. A fearful dog can easily develop aggressive behavior. For example, this may occur if a dog is backed into a corner with no way out or if he thinks a hand raised over its head means he is going to get hit. If your dog is a rescue dog that exhibits aggressive or fearful behavior more than is normal, it may have been abused, neglected, experienced a traumatic event, or not properly socialized as a puppy.
Any information you can get from the organization where you adopted the dog could help you determine the best way to handle the situation. Sometimes rescue dogs need obedience training with an instructor who specializes in teaching dogs that have been abused or those that have not been properly socialized.
In some cases, you may be able to manage your dog's fear on your own with training and patience. You can speak to a veterinarian about the best course of action. To avoid provoking this type of aggressive behavior, approach unknown dogs carefully better yet, let them approach you. Train and socialize your dog to help prevent fear down the road. Possession aggression , or resource guarding, occurs when a dog is possessive of something. This is often food, toys, or some other object of value.
A dog that exhibits possession aggression may growl if someone approaches his food bowl or gets too close when he is chewing a favorite toy. A dog may also bite a stranger who steps into your home, which is the dog's territory.
The degree of aggression may vary from one dog to another and between objects. For instance, your dog might not care if you sit down and pet him while he chews a rubber toy, but he may turn and snap at you when you do the same thing while he chews a pig's ear. It all depends on the value that the dog attributes to each object or resource.
Dogs sometimes behave aggressively as a display of dominance. What do I do if my dog is aggressive? My dog is aggressive towards other dogs If your dog is aggressive towards other dogs, the best thing to do is avoid them as much as possible. Dog fights - our advice. My dog is aggressive towards people If your dog is aggressive towards people, it can be more complicated to find the trigger for their aggression. Look for patterns in how your dog reacts: Are they only ever aggressive in a certain room?
How do they react around their favourite toys or food? Do they become aggressive when you try to brush them or trim their nails? Do they only act that way towards a specific person or group of people such as children? For more information, take a look at our free guide on keeping children safe around dogs:. Children and dogs. Should my dog wear a muzzle? Muzzle training your dog. What to do if you're bitten by a dog Knowing and calmly responding to the warning signs above can reduce the risk of a dog biting you.
Move away from the dog that has bitten you calmly and quietly. Try not to shout or react aggressively towards them, this might trigger them to bite again. Always contact your doctor or the NHS for advice straight away and tell them that you have been bitten by an animal.
If possible, try to clean the wound quickly. Taking photos of the wound can be helpful. How to prevent dog aggression There are a few things you can do to help avoid your dog becoming aggressive in different situations: Socialisation. Socialising your dog when they are young is one of the best ways to prevent dog aggression later on. A well-socialised dog is less likely to feel scared and so is less likely to be aggressive towards other dogs. Train your dog with positive, reward-based training.
Rewarding them when they stay calm can help them learn that this is a good way to react in the future. If your dog has good recall, then you can help them avoid potentially dangerous situations by ensuring your dog comes back to you quickly when needed.
Staying on the lead. It's always best to keep your dog on a lead in unfamiliar places. This way you always know where they are and can help them avoid anything that might trigger an aggressive reaction, especially if their recall isn't the best. Be aware of other dogs. Never let your dog go bounding up to an unfamiliar dog.
As friendly as your dog ay be, you just don't know how they will react. When you see unfamiliar dogs, it's best to keep your dog close to you or on a lead and check with their owner before allowing your dog to approach. This is especially important if the other dog is on a lead, or is wearing a muzzle or has a warning label.
Learn their body language. Know the warning signs of aggression and watch out for them. Never let your dog approach another dog if either of them are displaying any of the warning behaviours or signs of aggression above. If you start to see your dog or another dog behaving aggressively even if it's not towards your dog get away from the situation as fast as possible.
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For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.
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