What Makes Dogs Aggressive?

Although they boast the nickname of "man's best friend," dogs aren't always fond of man. Though most pets are not aggressive, some dogs lash out or maintain a regular display of aggression. Many factors can lead to aggression in dogs, and they may display different types of aggression as well.

  1. Dominance Aggression

    • Dogs are social animals and as such, maintain a hierarchy in their social interactions. If they feel that their position is being challenged or if they feel that you are below them and they don't approve of your actions, they may act out aggressively. Many actions may cause this acting out, such as removing a dog from its favorite resting spot or physically restraining them.

    Fear-based Aggression

    • Fear is a strong motivating force in many animals, including dogs. It triggers the instinctive "fight or flight" response, and your dog may lash out to protect itself. Even if you have no intent of harming your dog, if your dog perceives a threat, it will protect itself. Even such placid movements as winding up to throw a ball may make it think you're winding up to hit it.

    Protective Aggression

    • Dogs will protect their territory and their "pack" from perceived harm and intrusion. If they think of your family as their pack and your house and yard as their territory, they may become aggressive when they feel they are in danger, even if all you're doing is bringing a friend over for dinner. Dogs may also defend their toys and bed from being moved or taken by unfamiliar people.

    Redirected Aggression

    • Although easily misunderstood by their human owners, this is the reverse of "kicking the dog." When dogs are threatened or angry at a source they can't attack, they may lash out at the nearest person or animal available. If another dog in the neighborhood has irritated them and you're nearby, you may be a target of anger redirection.

    What to Do

    • The best thing you can do is breed familiarity with your dog. The majority of aggression revolves around dogs feeling threatened or encroached upon by someone they aren't familiar with. They more they feel as though they are a part of your "pack," the less likely they are to feel threatened by you. If your dog becomes aggressive, try to confine and isolate it and seek professional help. Don't physically or verbally punish it, however, as this may exacerbate the situation.