You love your dog. They’re your best friend, your sidekick, your furry child.
And then one day, seemingly out of nowhere, your pup is growling at the postman. Or lunging at the cat. Or snapping at your toddler.
What did the heck happened?
Dogs are naturally carnivores and more prey-driven so it’s no surprise that they can be aggressive. It’s also not a surprise that it can be hard to understand what’s going on with your dog.
What causes aggression in dogs?
Aggression in dogs can be caused by a variety of things, from being a very young dog to feeling threatened or feeling the need to protect themselves. Many dog owners assume that their dog is acting aggressively because the dog is mad at them or some other person. While this is often the case, there are a number of reasons why your dog may be behaving aggressively including fear, territoriality, frustration, or instinct. The reasons are different and the aggression may be situational. Here are a few reasons why.
They could have been abused
If you have an adopted dog then this is a common reason. Dogs who underwent abuse as puppies often turn out to be aggressive later. Many were relinquished to animal shelters by their owners and, of course, adopted by families. Many times, the change in behavior will not arise until the canines reach adulthood.
They might be uncomfortable
It's normal for dogs to get stressed out when there's a change in their environment, like if they're boarding at a new place or trying out doggy daycare for the first time.
Or perhaps you left them alone for long periods without realizing it yourself and they may be going through separation anxiety. Discomfort due to emotional stress or major life changes will often be shown through aggression.
Some dogs are not socialized properly
This can lead to fear and anxiety when meeting new people or other animals. They might not come running to you or be as friendly as they should. The first thing you can do is a temperament and behavioural assessment session with a trainer. Identify the issues and then implement training, which will help immensely.
Lack of regular exercise
Often, highly playful dogs need regular exercise to stave off the jittery, nervous energy. Engaging them in longer play sessions and giving an outlet for that energy is a surefire way to keep their emotions balanced.
What can you do to stop your dog’s sudden aggression?
Knowing the root of the aggression and addressing it early on will allow the dog to learn healthy behaviors.
Did your dog have a change in routine? Was there a new dog in the household? Were the two dogs getting into trouble together? See where the aggression is coming from. Once the problem is identified, make a plan to change the behavior and find an effective way to eliminate it. As training methods go, keeping your dog on a leash or in a kennel during this time may be a good way to control their unpleasant behavior.
Being a dog owner is a life changing experience, and it is possible for all of it to be fun for both you and your dog. Aggression is often deeply emotional and treating your dog with more love and care is the best way to resolve the issue.
11 comments
Hi Melanie,
First and foremost, consult your veterinarian. This is to rule out any health issues that might be contributing to the behaviour, especially if it’s a sudden onset. Sometimes discomfort or pain can lead to defensive reactions.
Here is a list of other methods you could try:
1) Supervision and Management: Ensure close supervision, especially during interactions with cats and any situations triggering snapping. Consider using baby gates or playpens to create safe spaces for everyone.
2) Positive Reinforcement: Reinforce positive behaviours with treats or praise. Reward your pup for calm behaviour around the cats and when they successfully navigate situations without snapping.
3) Training Commands: Reinforce basic commands like “leave it,” “stay,” or “down.” Use treats and positive reinforcement when your pup follows these commands, redirecting their attention away from potential triggers.
4) Desensitization: Gradually expose your pup to situations that might trigger snapping. Use controlled scenarios, rewarding calm behaviour and gradually increasing the difficulty as they improve.
5) Professional Guidance: Consider consulting a professional dog trainer or behaviourist. They can assess the specific dynamics and provide tailored advice to address the snapping behaviour.
6) Create Positive Associations: Associate positive experiences with the presence of cats. Offer treats or playtime when your pup is calm around them, reinforcing the idea that good things happen when the cats are near.
7) Provide Adequate Exercise: See that your pup gets sufficient physical and mental exercise. A tired dog is less likely to exhibit unwanted behaviours. Engage in play and activities to channel their energy positively.
my pup has been with us for two months (she was just about three month old when we got her). We have another dog and three cats and followed normal introduction procedure (separate for a few days introduce slowly). Most of the time she gets along with our other dog (he is 12) wrestling with one another for up to three hours altogether in a day. With cats she is mostly just curious and they avoid her for the most part. Lately, she is snapping when one tries to jump on couch near her or most recently when my cat sniffed at my soup bowl on the table and the pup was nearby. I would like to nip it in the bed if possible because my recently passed shepherd mix could occasionally snap and do not want to feel uncomfortable for my guests’ safety. What can I do
Hey Zita,
This sounds like a situation that would really benefit from a consultation with a canine behaviourist or a professional trainer. It’s very difficult to assume the situation without knowing what your dog is going through. It’d be better for the safety of everyone to consult with a professional. Hope this helps!
I adopted a dog a week ago from a shelter. Before adopting him, I had visited him for 5 months. He was one of the friendliest dogs at the shelter. Unfortunately, we do not know much about his background. He spent over a year at the shelter, he was found in the middle of nowhere on a very short chain. He was malnourished and neglected.
When we brought him home he was very scared. He did not want to come inside the apartment so we had to pick him up, then he went inside his crate and he stayed there for the whole day.
A few days ago he started showing signs of aggression towards people. My sister came over and he growled at her and when she tried to pet him he snapped her. I am really worried because we like to have people over but I never know how he will react to my friends and family. I don’t understand why it is happening and why he was completely different at the shelter. They say that dogs are very stressful at the shelter and they can be more aggressive there but for him it is the complete opposite. I am very disappointed because I would have never thought that I would ever face this problem with this dog. I love him but at this point I can’t trust him around people. I have no idea what I should do with him. I know he has only been with me for a week and he still needs to get used to the new environment but those demonic sounds coming from his mouth scare me to death.
Hey Ymanda,
We hope your father is okay! For the doggo though, sounds like he has been through a lot of change. Not being fed is a form of abuse and some dogs do take time to come out of the trauma. Along with that, he has had a change in routine while being introduced to a new dog. This may be a problem if he has not had training in socializing when he was younger.
Every dog reacts differently to any situation, so it’s not always easy to figure out what the issue is. It’s best to consult with a veterinarian or a behaviourist to understand what’s really going on.