CHARACTERISTICS OF AGGRESSION

If your dog has been ‘aggressive’ in the past, take time to evaluate the situations that have upset her. Who bore the brunt of her aggression? When and where did it happen? What else was going on at the time? What had just happened or was about to happen to your dog? What seemed to stop her aggression? Learning the answers to these questions can clarify the circumstances that trigger your dog’s aggressive reaction and provide insight into the reasons for her behavior. You need an accurate diagnosis before you can help your dog.

Aggression encompasses a range of behaviors that begin with warnings and can culminate in an attack. Dogs may abort their efforts at any point during an aggressive encounter. A dog that shows aggression to people usually exhibits some part of the following sequence of increasingly intense behaviors:

Becoming very still and rigid
Guttural bark that sounds threatening
Lunging forward or charging at the person with no contact
Mouthing, as though to move or control the person, without applying significant pressure
“Muzzle punch” (the dog literally punches the person with their nose)
Growl
Showing teeth
Snarl (a combination of growling and showing teeth)
Snap
Quick nip that leaves no mark
Quick bite that tears the skin
Bite with enough pressure to cause a bruise
Bite that causes puncture wounds
Repeated bites in rapid succession
Bite and shake

Dogs don’t always follow this sequence, and they often do several of the behaviors above simultaneously. Many times, pet parents don’t recognize the warning signs before a bite, so they perceive their dogs as suddenly flying off the handle. However, that’s rarely the case. It can be just milliseconds between a warning and a bite.

Dog owners need to understand that dog behavior is not the same as dog training. Learning the difference between them and how to quickly recognise what is a normal behavior and what is a training issue and then follow through accordingly. Whether you own a dog or not, they are a part of life and eventually you will have contact with a dog. Make basic dog safety a part of your everyday life and teach it to your children.

TIPS

Fear is the number one reason why a dog bites. Figure what is causing your dog to become fearful and take action - See a behaviourist for advice
Avoid eye contact with dogs - This can be interpreted as a threat or confrontation. One dog staring at another dog is a potential fight waiting to happen.
Meeting new dogs - Ask the owner if the dog is friendly before petting, if it is do not make eye contact and wait for the dog to approach and greet you.
Petting a dog - Don’t pat a dog on its head. A hand moving toward a dog can be very threatening. Without leaning over the dog, pat it on the chest or back.
Body language and doggy etiquette - Learn the signs dogs give when they are feeling uncomfortable and what is considered bad manners by dogs
Socialise your dog from day one with humans, other dogs and animals - Well socialised dog makes a better companion animal and community member.
Exercise your dog daily - Lack of stimulaton leads to behavioral problems. It will also hep condition your dog to different envrionments and help build their confidence by exposing them to different experiences.
Desex your dog and provide adeqaute care for them - Dogs that are not desexed, are more likely to bite than those that are not. Like humans dogs ahave the same need for adequate shelter, a good diet, fresh clean water and companionship.
Remember a dog may bite due to a medical reason. There are some medical conditions that may cause a dog to react in ways that are concerning, or may lead to a bite. As dogs can not tell us how they feel, they use their mouths and body lanuage to communicate and they are experts at hiding pain. There are breeds, sizes and shapes of dogs that are prone to various different ailments. For example, hypothyroidism may cause a dog to display inappropriate aggressive behavior. See a vet immediately if your dog displays unexpected or inappropriate behavior.