Are Certain Breeds More Aggressive Than Others?

Yes, some dog breeds are naturally more aggressive than others. In fact these breeds have usually been bred to be that way for a reason like hunting or protection. However that does not mean that these dogs cannot be nice sociable pets with good training and the proper socialization when they are young.

I feel that dogs that you see that are overly aggressive and dangerous are not that way because of their breed, they are that way because of the way that they have been raised.

It is not unusual for an unknowing dog owner to get a puppy take it home and keep it in the house or in the backyard without any socialization. Not allowing your dog to be socialized is the way you create a fearful, aggressive canine.

Quite often I hear a dog owner say that their pet is not aggressive it is simply fearful. Well plain and simple a fearful dog is probably the most dangerous dog in many situations. Without their knowledge most dog owners create the fear in their pets.

There are several things that can help create a dangerous dog so let's discuss a few of them now.

#1 Lack of socialization like we already mentioned. Socialization MUST be done before the dog is 20 weeks old.

#2 Isolation - yes many dog owners isolate their dog in an effort to have a protective dog but what they are actually creating is a fearful dog that really doesn't show any bravery.

#3 Back tying - this is where you tie the dog up in the yard because you don't have a fence.

Sometimes people do this to keep the dog from destroying things in the yard. A much better option would be to create a 6x10 foot kennel in the back yard so that the dog is not tied.

Unless you are looking for a mean nasty dog, and most people are not then following these few simple pointers will give you a dog that you can enjoy no matter what the breed is.

Keep in mind that dogs like German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and pits are dogs that were bred and created for the protective nature however that does not mean that they can't be very sociable.

On the other hand Labradors for example that are sweet fun loving dogs can be aggressive and dangerous if not trained and socialized. In fact recently I saw some information that showed Labrador and Labrador mixes bite more people every year than any other breed.

Socialize, train and treat them well and you can have a great dog no matter what the breed is.

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Aggressive Dogs Need To Be Walked

Aggression has become an epidemic! I am not teasing, over the years I am beginning to see more and more cases of aggression from various causes. So what is causing it? There are several reasons that dogs are showing aggression more frequently however the cause that I want to discuss in this article is the lack of exercise, specifically walking.

Dogs need exercise. We all realize that however not everybody acts on it and provides the needed exercise to have a happy well-adjusted dog. If you just can't find time to make a daily walk a part of your dog's life then think about other types of exercise.

If your dog will play a good retrieve game then take 20 - 30 minutes and throw that ball. The goal is to exercise your dog to the point that he is relaxed and happy.

Dogs with aggression issues usually suffer from low serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, it works in the brain, and in the nervous system to help your dog have a feeling of well-being. In plain English your dog needs serotonin to help eliminate the aggression and exercise is the way to get it naturally.

Dogs suffering from aggression and separation anxiety may benefit from medications that affect the level of serotonin in the body. Your vet can help you determine if your dog needs one of these medications and if it will help your dog's aggression.

Of course any treatment with medication from your vet should always be accompanied by a good behavior modification program that includes some great obedience training. Obedience training helps establish the master dog relationship and allows the dog to see you as the master and leader of the pack. Dogs without training tend to assume the alpha position in the pack. Believe it or not you dog would be very happy to let you assume that role and relieve him of that responsibility.

Of course walking will not cure all your aggressive dogs problems however depending on the type of aggression walking, obedience training and some good behavior modification will go a long way to getting your dog back to being a fun loving dog and a happy member of your family.

Remember that a trained dog is a happy dog and an exhausted dog is happier so take the time to train and give your dog all the mental and physical stimulation that it needs to be happy.

Aggressive Behaviors in Small Dogs

Aggressive dogs are a major problem for many pet owners, and a justified cause for concern. Some canine experts refer to aggression in miniature breeds as small dog syndrome, the animal kingdom's version of a Napoleon complex. Unfortunately, many people fail to take this behavior seriously, believing that an aggressive small dog won't be able to cause much harm. Professional dog trainers do take this phenomenon seriously, however, and recommend that dog owners do the same. Fortunately, small dog syndrome can be successfully mitigated with proper training and follow-up.

Small Dog Syndrome

Small dog syndrome is a term that many trainers use to describe aggression in miniature breeds. This phenomenon is sometimes mocked or discounted because small animals usually can't impart the level of damage that a large breed can. Consequently, pet owners allow their tiny companions to exhibit behavior that would never be tolerated with a large dog. Rather than training the tiny canines to display correct behavior, owners often control by force. It's easy to scoop a tiny dog up in your arms and carry him away when he acts up, but this does nothing to teach it proper behavior. This practice causes a variety of complications that can reward and reinforce bad behavior rather than eliminate it. In addition, this degree of close contact, when overdone, can make the dog feel uncomfortable and overwhelmed.

The Most Aggressive Small Dog Breeds

As you might expect, the usual suspects top this list: Poodles, Jack Russell terriers, Chihuahuas and Lhasa apsos are the most commonly reported breeds for aggression. It may surprise you to learn that cocker spaniels, beagles, dachshunds and shih tzus are also frequently noted as being antagonistic. Rounding out the list are the bichon frisé and the Pomeranian. Of course any dog, regardless of size, can develop aggression.

Experts say that it is important not to blame the dog's breed or expect breed-specific negative behavior patterns. Behavioral patterns in domestic canines almost always have more to do with human influences and the degree to which the animal was successfully socialized as a puppy.

Understanding and Addressing Tiny Aggression

Aggression in small dogs may have different influences than for larger breeds. And while tiny pups are more easily hurt, it may be difficult to make the adjustments necessary to overcome aggression while still keeping them safe. It is important to watch your dog for signs of fear or discomfort, which are the typical emotions that precede aggression. Careful observation will help you learn to recognize those situations that trigger unwanted behaviors. Watch for your dog to tuck its tail, assume a wide, crouching stance, put its ears back or lick its lips. If the situation elevates, it may bark, growl, initiate eye contact, snap at the air or put its hackles up.

The best way to remedy aggression in small breeds is with training, specifically using reward-based training techniques with obedience, confidence-building and socialization. It isn't easy to break old habits with weekly pet-store classes, however. Many experts suggest boot-camp-style programs. In this scenario, away from the owner's influence, a small dog can have the comfort level to successfully master new behavior patterns. At the end of the program, pet owners typically join their dogs to learn how to maintain and reinforce the new behaviors. With this approach, you are much less likely to experience recidivism, wherein the dog reverts to his old aggressive dog ways.