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. 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. 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. 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. The emphasis is on proven. 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
