Aggressive dog: triggers and important tips for dog owners
As a rule, dogs are extremely peaceful companions. Some breeds have a very strong protective instinct or are rather reserved towards strangers. However, dogs normally do not tend to aggression.
Nevertheless, it can sometimes happen that a dog becomes aggressive and possibly even bites a conspecific or a human. The reasons for this behaviour and what affected dog owners should do are explained below.
Possible causes of aggressive behaviour in dogs
Normally dogs are neither aggressive nor vicious. If they do behave aggressively, they have usually had bad experiences in the past.
If a dog repeatedly feels negative feelings such as fear or anger, these are imprinted on him over time. This can lead, in the long run, to the fact that the quadruped develops a certain tendency to aggressive behavior.
Above all, fear can cause a strong feeling of insecurity in dogs, so that they do not know how to help themselves and bite each other. It is similar in excessively stressed quadrupeds. It can also happen with these dogs that excessive demands and insecurity turn into aggressiveness at some point.
If a dog is aggressive towards people or conspecifics, this is almost always due to mistakes that the owner makes in dealing with his four-legged friend. Apart from that, it can occasionally happen that pain caused by illness causes aggression in a dog.
Aggressive dogs are a serious problem
If your dog behaves aggressively, this is a serious problem that you should not take lightly. After all, larger breeds of dogs have strong teeth, which can cause serious injuries not only to other dogs but also to people.
For this reason, there is no limit to which aggressive behaviour in dogs is still okay. Even the smallest signs of aggressiveness require immediate action. Because only in this way you can protect yourself, your fellow men and last but not least your four-legged friend from the possible consequences.
Avoid triggers for aggressive behaviour in dogs
It is usually difficult to determine the original trigger for the aggressive behaviour of a dog. It is therefore advisable to first check in which situations your four-legged friend reacts with aggression to his environment.
In most cases, the aggressive behaviour of a dog can be assigned to one of three different forms:
One speaks of protective aggression when a dog wants to protect its owner from an alleged danger, by being aggressive.
Competitive aggression is when the dog wants to assert itself within its pack and for this purpose, for example, aggressively defends its food bowl or a toy from competitors.
If a dog feels threatened by a conspecific or a human, the aggressive behaviour can sometimes also be used for self-defence.
Until you have succeeded in completely controlling your dog's aggression, the best way to avoid dangerous situations is to avoid them. If your four-legged friend is aggressive towards other dogs, for example, you should temporarily switch to a quieter route when you go for a walk.
Incorrect attempts at calming down increase the problem
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for dog owners to deal with the aggressive behaviour of their dog completely wrong. Because although aggression is absolutely undesirable, it can be observed again and again how dog owners meet them with nice words, caresses or the gift of dog treats.
Of course, only a few owners will want to praise their aggressive dog. However, in reality, exactly this happens. Dogs do not understand what is said to them, but only what sound the voice has and how their owner behaves.
By stroking your four-legged friend and talking to him nicely, you may be able to calm him down for the moment. For your dog, however, this will seem like praise for his aggressive behaviour. This can quickly lead to your dog's aggressions being intensified rather than permanently counteracted.
Professional help for owners of aggressive dogs
If your dog is prone to aggression, it is very likely that you will not be able to control the behavioural problems of your four-legged friend on your own. We, therefore, recommend that you do not hesitate and seek the help of a professional dog trainer.
They can show you how to react correctly when dealing with the aggressive behaviour of your four-legged friend. The dog trainer will carry out a desensitisation training with you and your dog, during which you will rehearse alternative behaviour patterns together. In this way, your dog's aggression can be gradually reduced.
Shiimun Calm for aggressive dogs
Of course, you must first and foremost deal with the triggers of your dog's aggressive behaviour, remedy them promptly and get your four-legged friend under control through appropriate training.
In addition, however, it can be quite useful to support your aggressive dog with a special sedative made from natural ingredients.
One preparation that is ideally suited for this purpose is Shiimun Calm, for example. Shiimun Calm is a well-tolerated food supplement containing shiitake and other carefully selected ingredients that can help your dog relax and thus reduce his aggressive behaviour.
Leave your comment