Dogs communicate their wants, needs and fears primarily through body language. If you’re not familiar with dog behavior, it can be challenging to decipher what your pet is trying to tell you.
Some dogs may display aggression due to fear, agitation or a sense of insecurity. Other factors such as genetics, early environment and learning can play a role in aggression behaviors. Aggression is one of the top referral behaviors seen by veterinarians.
While most pet owners know that their dog must bark, excessive or uncontrollable barking is not good for the health of your pet or the neighborhood. Determine what triggers your dog’s barking and work on training a new behavior. If your dog is barking when you knock at the door, for example, he may be instinctively guarding his territory. Ignoring this behavior and shouting at him to hush only fuels the frenzy. Instead, calmly talk to him in a soothing voice and reassure him that the intruder is okay.
Other common problems include destructive behavior, overexcitement and jumping up on people. Inappropriate elimination on the carpet or in the yard is another behavioral issue. Rewarding your dog each time he eliminates outside and providing him with a safe, comfortable place to relax in the house will help reduce these behaviors.
Possessive aggression is typically displayed by dogs that are in possession of highly motivating items such as food, chew toys, treats, favored sleeping places or stolen objects. The relative value of the object to your dog and the threat of losing it to another animal or person determine whether the aggression is based on a defensive or aggressive response.