What Defines an Aggressive Dog?

If your dog exhibits aggressive behavior, you have some important decisions to make about obedience training, allowing your dog to interact with other people and possibly the notion of whether you can safely keep your dog in the home at all. Before determining whether you have an aggressive dog, you must establish what exactly defines canine aggression.

  1. Violence

    • Though it should go without saying, a violent dog is an aggressive dog. If your dog ever bites a person or another animal (even once) in a non-playful manner, you have an aggressive dog. Certain exceptions exist if the dog's safety is in jeopardy, but if the dog constantly attacks because of a false sense of danger (timidness), you still have an aggressive dog, as fearful aggression is a recognized form of aggression in canines.

    Intimidation

    • An aggressive dog will not always demonstrate acts of violence. An aggressive dog may simply demonstrate the capacity for violence by growling, snarling or barking in a confrontational manner. Almost all dogs bark, and most would not fit the definition of "aggressive," but if your dog shows its teeth while barking and places its face inches away from the people or animals it hopes to intimidate, these would constitute aggressive behaviors. In other words, a non-aggressive dog may bark to get attention or ward off strangers, but an aggressive dog will bark, snarl and growl to intimidate and threaten. If ignored, these threats may ultimately lead to violence.

    Dominant Behavior

    • Dominant behavior can manifest itself as a form of aggression in dogs. Even if you do not see physical signs of violence, the dog may try overpower or intimidate other animals or even people, specifically for the purpose of establishing itself as the lead dog. Note, however, that not all dominant dogs are aggressive. Some dogs may simply try to establish their dominance by sitting on an owner's lap or assuming a leadership role among other dogs. It becomes "aggressive" behavior only when the dog uses threats or violence to establish its dominance.

    Handling Aggression

    • In some cases, you can reduce or remedy canine aggression by spaying or neutering a dog. You may also benefit from professional obedience training. Do not punish an aggressive dog, as this will only heighten the aggression. In some cases, aggression may have a medical cause, so consider having your dog examined by a veterinarian. If you cannot remedy the aggression, do not allow your dog around guests, strangers, children or family unsupervised.