Disagreements between dog and human

“Disagreements” between dogs can be difficult for humans to understand. They can erupt very quickly and be difficult for owners to come to terms with and they are a significant factor in dogs being surrendered to shelters – in many cases, entirely unnecessarily. The purpose of this article is to help owners differentiate between dominance based altercations and true dog fights.

Bear in mind that although related, dominance and aggression are different behaviors. However, if dominance is not checked, it can progress to aggression, as a dog may perceive that its rough treatment of others gets it what it wants. The dog is compensating for your lack of leadership.

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Understanding Aggressive Behavior in Dogs

Article taken from Dumb Friends League, ddfl.org

The word “aggression” can refer to a range of behaviors from barking and growling, snarling and snapping, to biting and attacking. Threats of aggression are one way dogs have of communicating and are often displayed as a means of avoiding outright aggression. However, a threat (growling or snapping) may escalate to outright aggression (biting) in any given situation.

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Aggression: Some Reasons Behind it

Understanding why a dog might feel the need to act aggressively, and recognizing the early signs in the dog’s body language. By Suzanne Clothier, SuzanneClothier.com

Whether we like it or not, we need to recognize that the wide range of behaviors labeled as aggression are communications from the dog to us. Dogs do not snap, snarl, growl, or bite without reason, and those reasons can range from feeling afraid to being confidently challenging. If you are able to recognize early signs of dog feeling uneasy or pressured in some way (whether you intended that response or not!), you can avoid pushing dog into feeling the need for more dramatic or more dangerous aggressive behavior.

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Aggression Basics

A brief look at the causes of aggression, and how to begin sorting out what’s what. By Suzanne Clothier, SuzanneClothier.com

Part and parcel of canine communications are growls, snarls, snaps and even bites – even among the nicest of dogs and the mildest of breeds. We find these behaviors frightening, and sometimes don’t quite know what to do. Unfortunately, there is a widespread misunderstanding of what constitutes aggressive behavior. Very often, what is labeled as ‘aggression’ is actually a useful and meaningful communication meant to avoid any violence. And at times, we overlook the fact that should a dog feel the need to act in a threatening way (whether to people, other dogs or other animals), there is a reason.

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Behavioral issues in your new rescue dog

Book: “Do Over Dogs” – by Pat Miller     Purchase on Amazon

What exactly is a Do-Over Dog? It might be a shelter dog you re working with to help her become more adoptable. Perhaps it s the dog you ve adopted, rescued, or even found running stray who is now yours to live with and love…forever. Or it could be the dog you ve lived with for years but you realize he still has issues that make him a challenging canine companion. A Do-Over Dog is any dog that you think needs make that deserves a second chance in life.

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Surrendering an animal

We hope that this is something you never have to do (and of course, we understand that there are many reasons why you may believe you have to).
In the event you feel you have investigated all other options for rehoming your dog (including asking family/friends – PLEASE, do not take your dog to the shelter), check out the link below to see if they can offer you some valuable advice/tips:

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Classification of Dog Bites

Article taken from whole-dog-journal.com.

Well-known veterinarian, dog trainer, and behaviorist Ian Dunbar has developed a six-level system of classifying bites, in order to make discussions of biting behavior more consistent and understandable. Those levels are:

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If your dog bites

Article taken from whole-dog-journal.com. Read original article here.

It’s not the end of the world if your dog bites – but you must take action.

There are few things quite as disconcerting as having your own dog bite you. I can recall with crystal clarity the time our Scottie nailed me in a classic case of redirected aggression. He had taken an intense dislike to a Labrador Retriever who had entered the room, and when I touched him on his back to try to distract him, he whirled around and redirected his aroused state, and his substantial Scottish Terrier teeth, at my hand.

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