Aggressive Dog Guide: 6 Tips to Curb Aggressive Dog Behavior

A dog exhibiting hostile or violent reactions is showing aggressive behavior. A dog’s aggressive behavior can take several forms, from biting to lunging or snarling. Some behaviors may seem aggressive but are normal and can be healthy, including rough play, chewing, and nipping (light dog bites, often in play). These behaviors are common in puppies, young dogs, and untrained adult dogs. Obedience training courses can help curb this conduct.

Canine aggression is different from reactivity; a reactive dog responds to specific triggers (for example, men wearing hats), whereas an aggressive dog is hostile and displays violent or destructive behavior. Training programs work to address reactivity, teaching your dog how to manage their response to avoid crossing the threshold into aggressive behavior in the face of a specific stimulus or situation.

A dog that is currently hostile may display several warning signs of aggression. Markers to look for in an aggressive dog include:

1. 1. Ears turned forward: Dogs rotate their ears forward to give threats their full attention.
2. 2. Eye contact: An aggressive dog will usually maintain intense eye contact with the threat, often opening its eyes wide to show the whites.
3. 3. Growling, snarling, and barking: Dogs use their bark to communicate that they’re upset or threatened. An aggressive dog may growl or bark loudly to signal its feelings.
4. 4. Lunging: When a dog lunges at a target, they’re in the highest stage of aggression, and the dog may snap or bite at the threat to neutralize it.
5. 5. Mouth closed or baring teeth: If a dog’s mouth is open with its tongue out, they’re likely feeling playful and calm; a dog with a closed mouth or bared teeth that looks alert or tense may feel upset or threatened.
6. 6. Stiff body: A calm dog will look relaxed and have a loose posture, while an aggressive dog will be upright and tense with rigid body language.
7. 7. Tail tense or tucked: A stiff or tucked tail is a sign of fear; a dog feeling aggressive may also have its tail tense and upright with a slight wag.

There are several common reasons for aggressive dog behavior, including:

• A need to protect: If dogs feel something they care about is under threat—food, territory, or a loved one—they may act out aggressively in defense. This can become a problem for dogs that lacked consistent access to food or toys, triggering a behavior called resource guarding, defensive aggression, or possessive aggression. Dogs may also exhibit territorial aggression toward strangers to protect their loved ones.
• Fear: A fearful dog can exhibit aggressive behavior as a defense mechanism (called fear aggression); this can be especially true of dogs that experienced trauma or abuse from past dog owners or situations.
• Pain: If a dog is in pain, it may display an aggressive response out of fear or frustration. Sometimes, aggression can result from a stomachache or minor injury.
• Sex drive: Some dogs (particularly male dogs) have aggression problems because of high testosterone levels. In many cases, neutering your dog (or spaying, in the case of female dogs) can reduce their hormone levels and prevent aggression.
• Strong prey drive: Many dogs have a strong prey drive (or predatory aggression), the instinct to hunt and kill for survival or sport. A dog’s prey drive varies depending on the pet’s dog breed, upbringing, or training.

If your family dog has exhibited aggressive behavior, here are several training tips to keep in mind:

1. 1. Work to identify the cause. To treat aggression issues in a dog, you need to figure out what’s causing your dog to act aggressively and treat the cause rather than the symptom. Your dog may be displaying aggressive behavior due to a hidden health problem or a particular fear. Once you know what’s causing your dog to become aggressive, you can focus your dog training efforts.
2. 2. Consult a professional. Aggression in dogs is not only frustrating; it can be dangerous to you, your family members, and visitors. Take aggression seriously. Seek professional help from a dog trainer or behavior specialist or pursue animal behavior training tailored to your specific situation.
3. 3. Spend quality time with your dog. When dogs feel loved, comfortable, and safe, they’re less likely to display aggressive behaviors. Put in the effort to show your dog that you love and care for them, and spend regular time exercising, playing, and training to develop a healthy rapport.
4. 4. Stay calm. Avoid responding to aggression with aggression. If you act out against dogs when they get upset, you reinforce behavior problems. When working with an aggressive dog, maintain a calm, relaxed demeanor to model the behavior modification you want your dog to display and use treat–based positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behaviors.
5. 5. Offer a safe space. Dogs can also display aggression because they feel trapped or overstimulated. Ensure your dog has a safe, quiet place to retreat when they need a break.
6. 6. Be patient. Dog aggression is an issue that requires more than one training session to resolve, so be patient with your dog as you work on the problem together. However, if your dog poses an immediate danger to those around it, especially in homes with young children, consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist to see what steps are best in your situation.

Your dream of having a dog who understands words like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and—crucially— “no” is just a MasterClass Annual Membership away. The only things you’ll need to train up a well-behaved pup are your laptop, a big bag of treats, and our exclusive instructional videos from superstar animal trainer Brandon McMillan.