If you’ve ever been bitten by a dog, you’re not really alone. More than 2% of people are cut off in the United States each year – that’s more than 4.3 million people! But what causes aggression and how should the owner handle it in dogs?
What is aggression in dogs?
Aggression in dogs is defined as a threatening or harmful behavior toward another animal. These include Sterling, Inverling, Snapping, Dealing, Cutting and Lung. Dogs exhibiting such behavior are not uncommon. They are simply displaying species-specific behaviors that are incompatible with human lifestyle (and safety). There are many reasons why a dog will behave aggressively with strangers or even its owner.
The first step, when trying to find out why your dog is being aggressive, is to take it to your veterinarian. Some veterinarians will visit you at your home – but dogs are more aggressive in the “them” area. If there is no medical reason for this aggression, your veterinarian may refer you to a practitioner, who will then obtain a complete behavioral history and recommend treatment.
Even if the treatment proves successful, you should always be careful. The frequency and severity of aggression can be reduced but, in most cases, aggression cannot be completely eliminated. Against the benefits you should weigh the risks of having an aggressive dog. Remember, safety is a primary concern for you and those around you!
Diagnosis of aggression in dogs
During a veterinary inspection, your veterinarian will determine if there is a primary cause for your dog’s aggression. For example, a neck pain dog may exhibit aggression when pulled through the collar.
Once medical reasons are rejected, your veterinarian sends you to a practitioner. With the practitioner, you will be asked to answer many detailed questions about your dog’s behavior. The session can last a few hours. An accurate description of your dog’s behavior is essential. Keeping a journal is helpful. You should note:
- What gets out of aggression?
- How often does this happen
- Which is directed towards
- Specific behavior
- The dog’s currency right now
Video tapping on your dog’s behavior is helpful for the behaviorist, but don’t hurt when making a video. The answers to many of the questions asked can cause the aggressor to determine the cause of the aggression, and then outline an individual approach to treating it. The practitioner will also provide professional feedback on the risks involved.
Aggression is influenced by several factors, including: genetic stress, early experience, maturity, sex, age, size, hormonal status, physical condition, and external motivations. Treaters use class behaviors that occur in patterns of behavior and the situations in which they occur. This is done to determine the cause of the dog’s motivation and behavior. The rating is as follows:
- Domination aggression is one of the most common forms of canine aggression that behaviorists take. Aggression is directed toward one or several family members or domestic pets. Dogs are pack animals, and they belong to humans as members and pack members.
- In the area of a regional aggression dog (house, room or yard), the owner or fellow pack member is directed to reach the animal or out of the pack.
- Regular aggression among adult males involves territorial or dominance disputes. Intra-abdominal aggression is more common among adult women in the same household.
- Predatory aggression is directed toward anything that the dog deems to be prey, usually other races, but sometimes a fast moving object, such as a car or a motorcycle.
- Aggression to stimulate pain is caused by a person or an animal that causes pain. This often happens when a person tries to touch a painful area or is given an injection.
- Fearful aggression occurs when people or animals approach a frightened dog. This is common when a dog cannot escape, and is sometimes seen when an owner uses harsh punishment. Dynamic, unpredictable children can also trigger this type of aggression.
- Maternity aggression is done by anyone who goes to the dog with a dog or in a false pregnancy.
- Redirect aggression occurs when a dog who is aggressively motivated takes the aggression from the source to the other. For example, a dog barking at the door can direct its aggression toward an owner who is dragging it behind. Dominant dogs are often redirected to subordinates.
Treatment of dog aggression
Aggressive treatment may include behavioral modification techniques (habituation, counter-conditioning and deacetylation), drug therapy, surgery (such as networking / spying), avoidance and management (such as a leash or head healer). Each case is unique, and the success of the treatment varies depending on the diagnosis and your ability, motivation, and schedule.
Even with successful treatment, there is no guarantee that aggressive behavior will not return. In most cases, the frequency and severity of aggressive behavior can be reduced but aggressive behavior cannot be completely eliminated. What can be expected is to reduce the likelihood of aggression. Against the benefits you should weigh the risks of having an aggressive dog.
Home care for aggressive dogs
If your dog is unpredictable, consider using a basketball-style casual pillow unless you can get professional help. Unless you get professional help, avoid all the interactions that trigger your dog’s aggression. Don’t try to punish the corporal. This can increase the severity of your dog’s aggression and can result in serious injury. Avoidance problems can include:
- Keep your dog locked in a separate room when visitors or children are present
- If your dogs are fighting among themselves, provide separate accommodation or food
- Removing items like bones or rhinos that your dog can guard
- Do not allow children to reach your dog unattended. Children should refrain from feeding, chewing bones, or talking to resting dogs. They should not be allowed to tease or hurt dogs.
- Keep your dog strapped at all times. At home, you want to attach a thin layer of nylon to the buckle collar, which your dog can comfortably drag. This will give you more secure control over it. Indoor bandages can be attached to head collars for even greater control. If your dog is fighting, do not fall into the middle. Avoid aggression using water, high noise, blankets or sprays.
