Aggression
Aggression in pet dogs is typically a display of behavior intended to create physical distance from others (example: “get out of here” or “leave me alone”). These cases are my speciality and make up the largest majority of what I see.
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Dogs can develop aggression through a number of ways including genetics, challenges in early development, lack of appropriate socialization, traumatic events, learned behavior, or any combination thereof.
Aggression in your dog may look like growling, barking, lunging, snapping, or actual biting (teeth on skin contact) that is directed towards other animals, other people, or yourself.
These cases include but are not limited to:
Aggression towards strangers
Aggression towards other dogs
Aggression while walking on the leash
Territorial aggression
Owner directed aggression
Aggression towards a member of the family
Resource guarding
Dogs fighting within the household
Aggression towards the vet or groomer
Reactivity
Having a dog who displays aggression towards others (or even towards you) can be emotionally draining, stressful, and scary. It’s very different from having to deal with “basic” behavior problems (like jumping and leash pulling) because there’s a huge emotional component at play. Therefore in most cases we cannot treat aggression as we would treat obedience problems. Most other dog owners and even many dog trainers don’t understand this, which is why I’m here to help.
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It’s important to understand what aggression is and how to differentiate between normal and even acceptable displays of aggression, versus displays of aggression that could potentially escalate to something dangerous - and everything in between. Forming realistic expectations for your individual dog is imperative, along with accepting who your dog is and what they are capable of.
This can all seem incredibly daunting, but with the right mindset shift and solid commitment we can greatly reduce the overall stress that both you and your dog are experiencing. Together, I can help you understand how to mitigate displays of aggression, how to instill behavior change, and how to keep everyone, including your dog, safe. The most important goal is for you to learn how to live safely with your dog.
PRO TIP
If you are currently experiencing situations where your dog is displaying aggression, it is best advised to avoid putting your dog into these situations entirely until you have a professional plan set in place because every time your dog practices aggression, it becomes a more deeply ingrained response (and is a safety concern for others).
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