Dogs who are displaying aggression with teeth showing, snarling and barking, are unnerving to most of us and can be embarrassing if we’re out in public with a reactive, teeth baring pet. Â After all, dogs are our companions and we sometimes forget that they also have a powerful set of teeth that they can call upon when threatened.
Dogs display aggressive behavior to create space. Â Either they want someone to leave, or they are willing to leave. Whichever the case, a dog that’s displaying aggression is a dog whose boundaries need to be respected and he should be given space. If a dog is fearful, he’s going to protect himself from the perceived threat, and creating distance between him and what he perceives as the threat is foremost in his mind. Â But in many cases, aggression can be modified.
Here are a few dog aggression behaviors that can be managed, or changed with proven behavior modification protocols. Â The emphasis is on proven. Â The wrong type of training used on an aggressive dog can make matters worse.
- Dog-human aggression
- Resource guarding
- Dog-dog bullying
- On-leash reactive aggression
- Body handling
Contact Love Wags A Tail if you need help with any of these issues with your dog. I take clients with aggressive dogs on a case-by-case basis.
Please visit the Investment in Dog Training page as well.
By Helen Verte
Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Trick Dog Instructor
Aggressive Dog Behavior Modification in South Florida, Broward County
