Warning Signs of Potentially Dangerous and Aggressive Dogs
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Many times dogs owners are faced with behaviors from their canine friends that are a bit far from what would be expected from ''man's best friend''. Such behavior issues are often ignored or excused with phrases such as ''he will grow out of it'', ''it's just a phase'' or ''he just does it only every now and then''. Sugar coating such issues however, does not help at all, rather in many cases, unwanted behaviors are more likely than not, to escalate and exacerbate if left untreated.
It is very important first of all, to have a veterinarian rule out any physical conditions especially if the unwanted behavior appears to be out of the norm and suddenly. Sometimes even the most docile dogs may turn quite aggressive if they are in pain. A common scenario is a very well tempered dogs that suddenly snaps when its head is touched because of an underlying painful ear condition.
Another issue that may cause behavior changes at times is a condition called ''hypothyroidism''. It is certainly worth to discuss with the vet about the chances of the dog having this condition. All it takes to rule it out is a thyroid blood panel.
Hormones do play a role in aggressiveness. Often owners of intact male dogs may deal with aggressive behaviors especially when they detect a female in heat nearby. While neutering may help a male dog have a better disposition, it is not really a ''cure all'' for major behavioral problems that are not hormone related. For more about this read:
Pros and Cons of Neutering Dogs
Signs of Potential Problems That Should Not Be Ignored
- Growling
Growling is a warning sign that should not be ignored. While some people appreciate the growling of a dog because it indicates the dog will warn before going to their next level of action whichof course is a bite, a growl should not be underestimated because it may indicate the dog has a low level of threshold or is weak-nerved.
- Mounting
A dog that mounts on the owner's legs or children may be trying to dominate. This is what dogs do in nature to demonstrate they are the boss. This should never be allowed because it is rude behavior and the dog's way of telling their owner's they are under his domain.
- Biting
Biting is of course, the most obvious act of aggression dogs may express. It does not have to break the skin to be considered a significant event. Often owners start seeking for help once the dog bit somebody, however, in many cases, there have been warning signs of increased aggressive behaviors that have been ignored or were too subtle to be noticed by the inexperienced eye.
Circumstances and Dynamics Most Likely to Cause Trouble
- Related to Feeding
Dogs that growl when they are eating
Dogs that lift their lip and snarl while eating
Dogs that get tense and tend to stop eating as you approach
Dogs that growl when they are chewing a bone
Dogs that steal food and get aggressive when trying to retrieve it
Dogs that respond aggressively when they are found scavenging the trash
- Related to Sleeping
Dogs that growl if forced off a bed or couch
Dogs that growl if allowed on the bed and the owner moves too much
Dogs that growl if awakened
Dogs that growl if touched while sleeping
- Related to Being Touched
Dogs that do not allow children to touch them
Dogs that growl when groomed or during nail clips
Dogs that dislike being touched on the head/shoulder area
Dogs that do not like to be touched from the above
Dogs that do not allow to be medicated
- Related to Playing
Dogs that growl if their toys are touched
Dogs that will not let children near their toys
Dogs that get too rough when playing
- Related to Being Disciplined
Dogs that will stare the owner in the eye
Dogs that react aggressively to being disciplined
- Related to Being Exposed to the Outdoors
Dogs that chase cars, small animals, joggers, bikers
Dogs that lunge towards other dogs or people
Dogs that act aggressively towards strangers
Dogs that act overly protective of their owners
Dogs that growl if owner shakes hands or hugs another person
Dogs that in a car bark aggressively at other people
Dogs that are fence aggressive and very territorial
As seen, the signs are all out there. It is very harmful to ignore them altogether in the hopes that they will disappear. Unfortunately, many times, they will come back sooner than later and grow in intensity if they are not nipped in the bud.
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For Further Reading
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I agree with a lot of points in your hub. One thing I want to add is that if you are around dogs who are not familiar with you (dogs that you have seen the first time or you seldom see) do not go near them at once. This is true whether they are barking at you or are silently looking at you. One of my dogs does not growl, he does not bark aggressively or sometimes he does not bark at all, but when a local water delivery guy crossed his path, he approached the guy and bit him, sinking two of his fangs! I panicked and got the guy to take his shots at once. That was a wake-up call for us and for the people who go inside our house.
My dad was once bit the same way. My dad was visiting a farm and there was this dog that looked pretty quiet. Once, he turned around he got bit pretty well. These are the ''silent biters'' that often decide to bite once the person turns their back. They usually will bite and leave because it is out of fear more than aggression.
I really appreciate this article. I have a 3 year old German Shepherd. I'll admit, she does have food aggression and we've tried to break this every since she was a puppy. I've gotten to the point where I just won't touch her when she eats and usually she eats alone. I've also noticed that when in the yard she tends to bark and everyone who comes by and if she sees another dog she'll bark and then she'll go and pick up one of her toys;growling and shaking the toy in her mouth. Her hair is standing up when she does this. When I catch her doing this, I make her come and sit down. She doesn't like to be still, so she knows she's being punished. After sitting for awhile, I allow her to get up and she's better, she may run and pace the yard but she won't show aggression. I'm not sure how to break her aggression and what's worse is that I keep hearing people say that German Shepherds will turn on you so
I think deep down inside I have that fear.
For the food aggression issue this hub may help you out http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-stop-dog-food-aggre
Food aggression is more of a trust issue. About her turning on you because she is a German Shepherd, I really think that any dog can turn on their owner if there is no discipline and dogs run the household.
Great informations, a lot of owners seem to ignore some of the signs their dogs are giving.
I have a year old dog, he is dangerously aggressive he won't let you brush him or hell bite, you can NOT touch his toenails he will growl and bite and when I try and rub him even when he is wagging his tail and is happy he will try and bite me. When he has done something bad and I discipline him he bites me and growls and it is extremly frightening. And when he gets this look in his eyes like I see in red zone dogs on tv he has that same look and he just stares at me like its a war. I've had him so long putting him doiwn will be heartbreaking. I'm so confused, I don't think ceaser milan could fix him.
my german shepard is very protective of me he loves me to death never leaves my side but the problem is with my husband he growls at him when he if pated when asleep or lend over but it has been this way with a couple of our dogs i dont wana get rid of him because it will only happn again with another dog...thank you.
Maria:
Many dogs dislike being bothered when they are sleeping.. I would discourage petting when a dog is asleep.. really any dog.. you never know.. they may be having a bad dream or wake up startled and react..
Leaning over him may be seen by him as something threatening or some way of your husband establishing dominance over him..so he feels the need to correct him with a growl...
I would recommend leadership exercises for both of you... he should not be protective of you and follow you everywhere and he should not be growling inappropriately at your hubby...(however, leave him alone when sleeping).
Stop him from following you at all times.. it may look like a form of love but it really is a form of control, sort of like a jealous wife controlling a husband's whereabouts..
You must take over and be in charge.. he thinks he rules the house and can do what he likes... with leadership exercises things may improve and he may start to relax...
here is a good article:
Tammy: your dog evidently dislikes getting its toenails trimmed.. and has learned how to stop you from doing it.. try to make nail trims pleasant again... here are some tips:
I adopted a dog from the local humane society. the humane society told me 'he doesn't like other dogs'. brought him home, when I took him for walks, I noticed he would charge other dogs visciously. I was worried about it so I called the humane society. Beforethey got back to me the dog attacked the neighbors dog, bit him in the back and had him pinned down before the neighbor could get him off the dog. Luckily the neighbor works with dogs. I sent him back to the humane society and told them to put him down. The last I heard, they will not put the dog down. The trouble is, this dog is dangerous.
very informative hub,thank you for all the excellent information.
The humane society tells you that the dog doesn't like other dogs, so you take the dog on walks without a lease to be able to attack other dogs, did you not understand what they said about the dog? I hope you paid for the vet bills because of you negligence.
Mighty Mom 2 years ago
This is a good wakeup call for dog owners. I can't tell you how many times I've encountered dogs and wondered if they were friendly or vicious.
Another behavior that I find difficult to interpret is dogs barking. When you walk by their yard or their car and they are in the car. I assume they are claiming their territory and thus do not approach.
Thanks for this useful info! MM