As a dog owner, the most serious behavior you will need to deal with is puppy aggression. The level of aggression in puppies and dogs depends on two factors - genetics and environment. As a result, some dogs, even with training, will remain higher risk than others.
Dog aggression is a serious matter, especially if you have small children. If you do, obtain an expert opinion to find out if it’s safe to keep your aggressive puppy around them. Talk to a professional dog trainer, a dog behaviorist, even your veterinarian.
Let’s get back to the subject of dealing with puppy aggression…
You are probably asking now: “But how do I know if I have an overly aggressive dog?”
Here are some…
Symptoms of Puppy Aggression
Take a look at the following list of dog behaviors…
Biting and Snapping
Growling
Excessive barking
Raised fur along the back of the neck and the ridge of the spine
Do you recognize several of the above behaviors? Are they more than isolated instances?
If you answered “YES”, chances are that you have an aggressive puppy or dog.
What are the Causes of Puppy Aggression?
First and foremost, genetics play a major role in puppy and dog aggression.
Breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers and Pit Bull Terriers are good examples. They are more aggressive than Golden and Labrador Retrievers because they were bred to be more aggressive.
Another very important factor that influences dog aggression is an environment.
Factors such as living conditions and surroundings, physical punishment and the amount of socialization training that your puppy had received can and will influence puppy aggression.
Something else to keep in mind… All dogs are unique and have their own personalities. Some dogs are born to be “leaders” and will use their aggression to maintain that “alpha dog” status with other dogs AND humans.
Types of Aggression
Aggression is aggression.
Right?
Well, yes and no.
Just like there are several causes of aggression, there are also several types of dog and puppy aggression. To effectively treat your puppy’s aggressiveness, you need to understand the type of aggression your puppy is exhibiting.
Here are some examples…
Defensive aggression
Territorial aggression
Dominant aggression
Gender aggression (Ex.: male vs. female)
Here is a word of caution regarding defensive aggression. Some puppies exhibit aggressive behavior when they are fearful. But just because a puppy is fearful, don’t assume he is not dangerous. More than half of all dog bites are caused by frightened dogs.
Dominant puppy aggression is probably the most dangerous and difficult to treat because you will be trying to change your puppy’s innate desire to “lead”.
The approach to puppy aggression training will depend on the type of aggression your puppy is exhibiting. But in general, any puppy aggression training should also include some form of puppy socialization training.
To successfully treat puppy aggression, try to be proactive. Act at the first sign of aggression. Like with any negative behavior, it’s a lot easier to prevent it from becoming a way of life than to treat it after it sets in. Good luck!
By: Ed Nodelman About the Author:
Making Money at Home
