Aggression in dogs is a scary, yet complex behavioral pattern, but is common and treatable with an intensive training plan. It's important to accept at the onset of dog ownership that most dogs will exhibit some form of aggression at some point, typically when guarding their territories or protecting themselves or their puppies. Dogs also often demonstrate aggression to keep the peace or exchange social interaction with other dogs and humans. Thus, if you watch for the signs early on and address them, aggression issues can be overcome.
Visible signs of aggression include but are not limited to a threatening bark, charging forward at another person or dog, "muzzle punching" also known as a punch with the dog's snout, growling, showing teeth, snapping, nipping, biting, snarling or mouthing. These behaviors could occur simultaneously, individually, or in sequence. The intensity of the behavior does not necessarily define aggression. For example, even a quick nip that leaves no mark is still a form of aggressive conduct that needs immediate attention.
To better equip you with information and tools for how to rehabilitate an aggressive dog, we explore different types of aggression, their respective motives, and recommended training approaches. Tailoring a training program to combat your dog's specific type of aggression is crucial to understanding the root of why it's happening, motives, and signs associated with your dog's aggression classification. By reviewing the breakdown below, you'll come to learn how to address each type individually.
Territorial Aggression
This type of aggression is a result of the desire to protect an area from intruders. If another dog or animal encroaches on a territorial dog's turf, he will attack or bite in retaliation. Dogs who charge human guests or visitors in the home would also be classified as territorial aggressors. Territorial aggression is mostly experienced by adult dogs or adolescent dogs from 1-3 years of age, rather than puppies.
Training approach: The appropriate training plan should focus on establishing the owner as the "pack leader" to teach the dog where their territory is. The owner will then set ground rules of engagement such as that the backyard is not the dog's territory, but rather a shared family space.
Protective Aggression
Some dogs show aggressive tendencies when they believe one of their own puppies, their owner, or someone they love is in danger. Protective aggression is likely to show when the so-called "victim" is particularly vulnerable, such as when a new baby is brought into the home. If a dog believes a stranger is a threat to the newborn baby's safety, for example, he may attack. This is another type of aggression normally displayed by adult or maturing dogs. Puppies rarely become protective aggressors.
Training approach: Dogs who suffer from protective aggression would benefit from socialization training (controlled exposure to other dogs and humans) as well as desensitization, which essentially introduces the aggression triggers in extremely small, controlled doses to manage the dog's reaction.
Possessive Aggression
Possessive aggressive dogs demonstrate aggression when a human or other dog is in control of something highly desirable, or when fiercely guarding their possessions such as food or toys. Protecting territory and possessions is a natural, instinctual behavior that is necessary for survival in the wild; however, it's a behavior that must be broken in domestic animals. Resource guarding is especially common in puppies, who recently had to compete with litter-mates for food.
Training approach: Teaching the dog to tolerate the presence of people and other animals around his possessions is key. Sample techniques may include trading good things for better things, removing potential triggers such as a favorite toy or implementing an earned rewards program, where the dog doesn't receive any food or treats until good behavior is shown.
Fearful Aggression
You may have heard the saying "fight or flight" concerning an evolutionary reaction to fear. In relation to dogs, while flight response is the most common reaction to fear; in situations where dogs cannot run away (on a leash, in close quarters in a home), they will switch to a fight response. Snapping, biting, and lunging are all symptoms of fear in this case, and show themselves as the ultimate defense mechanisms when unable to escape. Dissimilar to other forms of aggression, when a dog is afraid, signs may show (such as cowering in a corner or retreating before an attack) but often do not. Common in both puppies and adult dogs, this behavior affects males and females equally.
Training approach: Training sessions will focus on building feelings of confidence and security. Methods could include coaxing the dog to take food from strangers or socializing the dog within a controlled environment. The most timid dogs will require both obedience training and heavy socialization.
Defensive Aggression
Not unlike fear-related aggression, defensively aggressive dogs are afraid, but instead of retreating or showing timid behavior before the attack, they simply go on the offense and take the first strike on the victim, whether that shows itself by charging, biting, barking, or growling. Defensive aggression is more common in adult dogs than puppies as this attack strategy requires more confidence built over time.
Training approach: Defensive aggressive dogs would benefit strongly from heavy socialization training. The key is for the owner to continuously provide positive experiences to thereby encourage positive associations with other dogs.
Social Aggression
Socially aggressive dogs are typically happy-go-lucky and friendly, until someone in their "pack" be it a human family member, or another dog, oversteps their boundaries, thereby becoming a threat. These dogs consider themselves high in hierarchal order and want to remind everyone else that they are for lack of better words, "king of the castle." Also often described as "dominance aggression," socially aggressive dogs may be triggered by simple social interactions such as grooming, unwanted displays of affection, lifting or picking up the dog or even entering a doorway at the same time as the dog.
Training approach: A dominant dog requires not only obedience training but also overarching control by his owner. An animal behaviorist would likely recommend that the owner start controlling every aspect of the dog's life and establishing strict and consistent ground rules. Prime examples include breaking the habit of the dog sleeping in bed with the owner, not allowing the dog to interact with other dogs at the park, or keeping a leash on the dog at all times if worried about them charging ahead without permission.
Frustration-Elicited Aggression
Dogs who become frustrated often can't contain their emotions and lash out with aggression. Feelings of frustration might arise when a dog is excited by an object that gets taken away or when the dog is restrained with a leash when he wants to run free or approach something or someone at his own pace. This type of aggression occurs in both puppies and adult dogs and doesn't favor one gender over the other.
Training approach: Frustrated dogs may benefit from a "reactive socialization class," where the dog is introduced to other dogs in a highly supervised setting. Through systematic interaction, the dog will be exposed to friendly, confident adult dogs under the watchful eye of a trainer. A focus will also be placed on redirecting the dog's focus onto something that doesn't elicit frustration, such as a game of fetch or obedience training with treat rewards.
Redirected Aggression
Consider this situation: In the midst of a scuffle between two dogs, one of the owners jumps into the middle attempting to stop the fight. Instead, the dog suddenly turns and bites the owner. This scenario describes a dog redirecting aggression toward an interfering party. Or, if two dogs are standing behind a fence together and one becomes aroused by something or someone on the other side of the fence, he may have no other way to take out his aggression than by turning to his furry companion and biting him.
Training approach: The remedy for redirected aggression is often to remove the dog from volatile situations that may trigger these feelings. For example, in the fence scenario, a responsible owner should not allow the dog to be outside unsupervised. Reward-based obedience training is also always a good idea.
Pain-Elicited Aggression
When a dog is in pain, a common reaction is aggression. Therefore, it's crucial to handle an injured dog with care or to defer to a professional to prevent a pain-related attack. Even the most gentle, friendly dogs can react aggressively when they feel pain. Remember, while serious injuries are quite painful, a dog can also react aggressively from something as minor as a pinched neck from a collar, stepping on a sharp object, or getting stung by a bee.
Training approach: This particular case of aggression may be the easiest to treat and remedy, simply by making sure your pup receives proper veterinary attention. By getting to the root of the pain, once you obtain a diagnosis and medically treat the problem, your pup's pain-related aggression may simply go away.
Sex-Related Aggression
Dogs who are not neutered or spayed will demonstrate aggression to attract the attention of the opposite sex dog for breeding purposes. Fighting can also occur between two male dogs (even if no female dogs are present) to compete for female attention. In the wild, the strongest dogs are the first to gain access to the female they're vying for - so this is a natural, evolutionary practice. While it's possible for females to also fight amongst each other as well, it's less common. If a dog is fixed later in life, he may still demonstrate aggressive tendencies until the sexual urges wear off.
Training approach: Dog-on-dog aggression is typically remedied with behavior modification programs designed to de-sensitize and counter-condition. Basic dog training commands such as "stay" and "sit" will be reinforced to encourage self-control. After all, a dog who is passively standing still in one position cannot act out on aggressive tendencies.
Predatory Aggression
Classic predatory behavior includes chasing after fast-moving prey. Oftentimes, domesticated pups will chase other pets, wildlife (such as rabbits or squirrels), or even running people, bikers, or skaters. Sometimes, a dog will bite his "prey" if they manage to catch the object of desire. While predatory aggression towards people or even human babies is possible, it is rare in pet dogs. That said, this type of aggression can be especially worrisome as there is often no warning before the attack.
Training approach: The most effective treatment for predatory aggression will be intensive obedience training with a focus on the recall and "and down" commands. If a dog is chasing something, the owner must demonstrate control to retrieve the object. Developing control is a process, but can be practiced with repetitive fetch play and exercises.
While aggressive behavior in canines can be difficult to break, positive change is certainly possible and the behavior should be addressed immediately for optimal results. Through regimented training and therapy, aggressive dogs can recover to become the sweet and loving furry friends they're meant to be.
