by Graeme Landis

Most all dogs can and will show aggression given the right set of circumstances. Aggression for a dog is a natural response and it is critical to understand what circumstances and experiences will probably provoke aggression in a dog. Understand that what a human may see as an unprovoked act of aggression in a dog may, in fact, be perfectly logical to a canine mind. The major acusses for aggressive behavior in dogs are discussed below.

Territorial Aggression

Dogs will express this form of aggression when defending their territory. This is any territory that the dog is familiar with or has marked with it’s scent. While you may encourage your dog to protect your property, the dog may have a larger estimate of “his territory” and view the whole neighborhood or block as his territory to protect.

Guarding Aggression

Most dogs tend to guard possessions, and members of their pack. This may include people, other family pets, or even favorite toys and sometimes food items. “Guarding Aggression” is directed at unfamiliar people or animals that are approaching the dogs people, possessions or food. Occasionally, the dog will even guard food or toys from familiar people or dogs.

Transferred Aggression

Transferreed Aggression often happens when a dog becomes upset or over-excited and instead of becoming aggressive with the specific item, it transfers its aggression/frustration onto another dog or person. For example a child may poke a dog with a stick through a fence, and since the dog cannot defend itself through the fence it may turn its aggression on another dog in the yard or on another person.

Pecking Order Aggression

Dogs are pack animals, and they need to establish the hierarchy with the family or household members (humans and animals alike). Once the dog has established his rank in the family he, does not like to be challenged. Often well-meaning owners will inadvertently teach their dogs that they are in fact the highest ranking pack member; that can lead to difficulties in controlling the dog. It is also common for there to be aggression issues between dogs in the same household as they battle it out for the alpha dog position.

Aggression Due to Fear

Dogs do respond like humans with a fight or flight instinct when presented with a fearful situation. Dogs that respond with aggression may growl, snarl or even bite if they are frightened. Remember, different reactions in dogs are due to genetic disposition, training methods and past experiences. The dog may see a fearful event in a calm environment if he has been abused in the past. Dogs that would normally use the flight option but are trapped or cornered will resort to aggression in an attempt to protect themselves.

Many dogs will become aggressive when they think that they are threatened, that their position in the pack or family is threatened, or that their territory or possessions are endangered. As human beings we often do not understand all the triggers for a dog to respond with aggression. Aggression in dogs, regardless of the reason, needs to be controlled to avoid a potentially dangerous situation for both humans and other animals. Positive rewards training usually works very well for these dogs, and punishment rarely helps and in fact will often increase the aggressive behavior.

About the Author:
Daniel Stevens provides specific techniques for helping your aggressive dog in his fabulous and in-depth Secrets of Dog Training course. You can stop bad doggy behavior. You just need some professional help to understand the doggy mind and how to elicit the behavior you want so both you and your dog can be happier.

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  1. Training Aggressive Dogs

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