Aggressive behavior in dogs is a very common problem that can have fatal consequences if we do not take immediate action. If we have an aggressive dog at home, it is important that we take into account what are the causes for which they can attack unknown people or animals, and what precautions we must apply to avoid unnecessary situations and accidents.
En Mundo Perros We have been talking with Rosana Álvarez, an expert in animal ethology, who has given us some useful tips to apply them in case our dog is aggressive towards people or animals.
Rosana Álvarez has a degree in Veterinary Medicine and a Master's in Clinical Ethology. It is positive behavior and education specialist, a complex world, but for which he feels special passion and commitment. It is important to comment that clinical Ethology is a type of specialty that is the exclusive competence of veterinarians or the doctors, since most of the behavior problems have an organic cause or aggravation.
Before starting to address the issue, we must clarify that aggressiveness is a type of canine language to which we must pay special attention because it is a response to a threat or attack, to a stimulus that the dog uses to protect or achieve something that it considers valuable.
Signs of aggression can range from a growl to a bite, however, we must also pay attention to much more subtle expressionsSuch as dilated pupils, frizzy loins, excessive body stiffness, a high, taut tail, or a gaze fixed on something.
We must understand then by aggressiveness any conduct that involves intimidation or harm to another person or animal. If we have a dog at home that becomes aggressive towards people or animals that it does not know, it is important that we take into account what the causes could have been, and in case the situation could put a third party in danger, speak to an expert veterinarian or ethologist to address the root problem.
Aggressive behavior in the dog: main causes
As stated by Rosana Álvarez, 'the aggressiveness shown towards known people can be presented in defensive or offensive form'. Each one of them usually has different causes.
- Aggressiveness defensive It is much more frequent and usually manifests itself by fears, genetic fears, lack of socialization with other dogs or people or traumatic experiences suffered, such as abuse.
- As for the variant offensive, dogs tend to be aggressive due to causes such as self-protection or fear, or even by learning. Typically, these are dogs that have had poor socialization and have been raised in very confined spaces.
Fear is probably one of the most frequent causes of dog attack on people or other animals. This attack arises as a response to a defensive attitude, in a situation in which the dog feels threatened.
Expert Tips for Treating Aggressive Behavior
The expert Rosana Álvarez recommends that, first of all, take into account that we must guarantee the safety of people who may be affected by the aggressive attitude of the dog.
To comply with this precaution, the use of the muzzle and the leash is essential. The muzzle, as the expert in animal ethology explains, 'must be previously made positive so that the dog can carry it comfortably. Neither the muzzle nor the leash should be used as punishment, neither harming or disturbing the dog. '
Muzzles are educational tools, at no time should we use them to punish the dog for something he may have done wrong. In that case, he will see the muzzle as something negative, and every time we go to put it on he would go into a state of anxiety, which could further aggravate your aggressive behavior.
The aggressiveness of the dog can be dangerous for anyone, especially for people who do not know that the dog can bite, that is why it is advisable to consult an expert in canine education to work it through positive education.
If the cause of aggressive behavior in the dog is fear, It is convenient to stop exposing him to the stimulus that causes it so that he can relax and reduce his anxiety. Going for a walk in areas where there are no people, changing departure times, or avoiding people by changing sidewalks, are some ways to reduce the fear and anxiety of the dog.
At the same time, Rosana recommends us work on fear with the specialist veterinarian to be able to associate the threatening stimulus with another that the dog likes a lot, so that, with patience and practice, the dog's perception of this stimulus changes.
Taking into account that the main precaution is the safety of people and other animals, to educate and work aggressive behavior in the dog, we must always use straps and not loosen them even if there are no people around. On the other hand, so that the dog does not negatively associate the presence of someone, we should not carry it on a tight leash.
It is important that the animal and the owner have fun. Positive education, and the reinforcement of positive attitudes, have proven to be the most effective and efficient type of education for dogs. Punishment and submission, on the other hand, tend to aggravate this aggressive behavior, and make them more irascible and distrustful. Retaliation is also not helpful in correcting your behavior: patience is important, because redirecting your behavior takes meticulous and often lengthy work.