| An aggressive dog is definitely a more serious | | | | your dog to move off of the furniture and he growls |
| problem for a dog owner. Fortunately a dog with | | | | at you, again this shouldn't be allowed. You may |
| these characteristics is not born this way. These | | | | notice that your dog is using his body language and |
| characteristics are often formed when the dog is in | | | | showing dominance in the household and trying to |
| the puppy stage and this gives you an opportunity to | | | | put himself in control. If any of these situations come |
| mold his behavior as he grows. Even if the dog is | | | | up and you are afraid that your dog may bite you, |
| older , the behaviors he begins to exhibit will give you | | | | you should contact a professional immediately. |
| signs of an impending problem developing and give | | | | Make sure that you never hit or scream at your dog |
| you time to take the appropriate action to deal with | | | | when confronting a situation. This won't accomplish |
| it. | | | | anything except to make your dog more afraid of |
| Lack of socialization as a puppy is where this | | | | you and this could make him lash out at you. |
| behavior can begin. Abuse is another culprit. It's vitally | | | | There are different types of instinctual aggression |
| important that you pick a puppy from a reputable | | | | that dogs may display which is why a dog owner has |
| breeder who has done a good job caring for and | | | | to be discerning and watch their dog very closely. As |
| spending time with the puppies. Sometimes it is | | | | was mentioned before, dogs can act aggressively |
| tempting to want to adopt puppies or dogs from the | | | | out of fear, when they feel threatened or cornered. |
| shelter or out of the newspaper. The only challenge | | | | A dog with her puppies can be very protective and |
| with this is to recognize that you are not going to | | | | may not like people approaching her or her pups. |
| have any real background on this dog. They may end | | | | Most dogs are naturally protective of their own |
| up needing special training and care for problems that | | | | territory. Your dog may act quite different when |
| stem from bad experiences that they had early on in | | | | strange people come to your front door or walk |
| their development. | | | | onto your property unannounced. If a new dog is |
| Once you bring your new puppy or adult dog home, | | | | brought home and introduced to the household, the |
| it will continue to be your responsibility to provide | | | | original dog may try to assert his dominance and this |
| them with the proper socialization and training they | | | | may end up in a fight. |
| need as they mature. | | | | Recognize that dangerous aggression is when your |
| Some people buy into the myth that larger breeds | | | | dog bites the vet when getting examined or your |
| like Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, are | | | | dog bites a child in the neighborhood. When you work |
| typically aggressive breeds in general. Even though | | | | closely with your dog on a regular basis it is important |
| these types of breeds are used for police work and | | | | to make sure that you take note of any strange |
| protection, this type of breed under this type of | | | | behavior and what triggers seem to set your dog |
| training is kept under strict control. Out of control | | | | off. |
| aggressive behavior is what we are referring to here. | | | | It is a good idea to consult a good dog trainer or |
| Little dogs can be just as aggressive and often | | | | canine behavior therapist when your dog begins to |
| people will mistake them as cute and not implement | | | | act aggressively. Good quality dog training resources |
| proper training and that cute Chihuahua ends up | | | | can also be critical in helping you and your dog work |
| running their household. Often little breeds develop | | | | through these types of issues. It is an issue that |
| fear aggression and bite people when they feel | | | | needs to be taken seriously when you first notice |
| threatened or challenged. | | | | the smallest signs because the problem almost |
| Aggression can be exhibited in different ways. Your | | | | always escalates when the dog gets away with it. |
| dog may growl at you when you take a toy away | | | | The dog can be re-trained. You can find a different |
| from him. This is not a good sign and should not be | | | | home for the dog where he may be better suited to |
| tolerated. This could easily escalate over time into | | | | another owner and their personality. The worse end |
| snapping if it is allowed to continue. Dogs naturally | | | | result is that no action is taken and the dog bites |
| want to guard resources but it is unacceptable for | | | | someone. |
| your dog to growl at you. When you try and get | | | | |