How to Tell If a Dog is Being Aggressive

It is essential to know that any dog has the potential to be aggressive. These aggressive behaviors can result from many things such as socialization, personality, genetics, home environment, and obedience training. It can be challenging to diagnose aggression. However, there are some signs of the various types of aggression displayed below.

Dominant Aggression – Do you think that your dog is aggressive? It is best not to test out your theory at a dog park or a place with many dogs. Signs of dominant behavior include blocking paths, demanding attention, mounting legs on other dogs, or lunging at people or other dogs. Look for signs of dominance and aggression. These include staring, barking, growling, and carrying the tail high.

Fear Aggression – This is also known as a defensive-aggressive dog. The bad thing is that this may be difficult to predict at times. Pay close attention because a defensive dog will display submissive body language. Look for signs of lowering their body, avoiding eye contact, and tail tucked between their legs.

Dog to Dog Aggression – Some dog to dog aggression signs include lunging, posturing, direct eye contact, pricked ears, and exposed teeth. If two dogs display dominance, you will need to pay close attention to determine if it will work out.

It is rare for a dog to be genetically inclined to be aggressive. The good news is that a training program paired with socialization can help resolve the behavior. There is no ultimate way to prevent aggression, but there are basic steps that you can follow to decrease the chances that your dog will develop a problem. Socialize your dog, ensure that they are neutered or spayed, and be kind and patient with them. It is a learning process that they must master.