How much do you know about dog aggression or even helping aggressive dogs to behave? Humans have had dogs as part of their families for thousands of years for hunting and for protection. Today we mostly have them for companionship and as family pets. It is important that we understand how to behave around dogs, to remain safe. Remember your dog is just a step away from the wolf we domesticated all those years ago.
Dog aggression can cause serious problems, we often hear, in the media, of children getting bitten by dogs. But understanding more about aggressive dogs and their behaviour is what's needed. Teaching children to stay safe around dogs is paramount. Leaning about dog aggression is particularly useful, especially when dealing with strange dogs, not just to stop your own from becoming aggressive.
What causes dog aggression? Dogs bite because they are protecting themselves, their property, are in pain, or have been surprised by your actions. When they are afraid, they will either cower away, ears flat, maybe with teeth showing, it may snarl or growl, if a dog is bold, it will stand its ground, the hair on its back will raise and its body is tense.
Some of the signals for aggression may be so subtle, you could miss the signs, the dog might yawn and lick its lips. They will also turn to look the other way with their head down; the dog might even back up while doing any of these actions. If you do see any of these signs, do not make the situation worse by over reacting. Get your dog out and away from the setting, do anything your dog particularly likes, anything which can act as a distraction. This also helps your dog to associate the situation with something pleasant.
If a dog is forced into a situation it can not escape from, they may resort to growling and snarling, even lunging towards what is worrying them, in an attempt to get rid whatever that is. This might be seen as aggressive behaviour but when something like this happens, the dog must not be punished, because it is natural behaviour. This will only intensify the reaction, and probably just make the dog afraid of you too, or bite. It is better to watch out for the early signs, move the dog away, or distract him, before anything happens.