In humans, violence results from aggression because there’s intent to harm. If your usually playful dog starts biting or attacking, look into the possible bad behavior triggers.
Sometimes, in the case of working dogs, there’s a thin line between aggressive and protective. There are also levels of aggression against other dogs and animals, children, strangers, and household members.
Your dog’s life stage when you get him makes a difference. A dog is a pack member, which enables bad behavior to be corrected by the alpha or other members of the pack. Look into how the dog was raised to get a good insight into possible triggers unknown to you:
Dogs not exposed to different people, animals, and environments during their critical socialization period, 3–12 weeks old, may develop fear-based aggressive behavior.
Some breeds are more prone to aggressive behavior due to their breeding history and genetics. This is not to say that all Rottweilers or Pitbulls are aggressive. Some dogs of this breed can be gentle with children. But definitely, approach initial interactions with caution.
Small dogs may look cute, but even toy breeds can get nippy. With herding dogs, nipping isn’t automatically classified as aggressive or violent action work. It’s all part of the job of keeping the herd in rein. However, this kind of behavior can crossover to little children, whom the dogs nip to keep them ‘in line.’
Trauma, abuse, or neglect can lead to aggressive behavior in dogs.
Well-balanced dogs may become aggressive when they feel threatened or scared. For example, sudden noises may be startling for dogs who aren’t accustomed to hearing this, so they bark or whine.
Dogs in pain or discomfort may become aggressive to protect themselves.
- Lack Of Training And Discipline
Dogs who are not trained or disciplined may assert dominance and become aggressive.
Research has suggested that there may be a link between certain hormone levels and aggressive behavior in dogs. Vasopressin and testosterone have been found to be associated with aggressive behavior in some studies. Oxytocin, on the other hand, is often referred to as the ‘bonding hormone’ and has been found to be associated with social behavior and attachment.
However, it’s important to note that this is an active area of research, and more studies are needed to fully understand the relationship between hormone levels and aggressive behavior in dogs.
- Lack Of Exercise And Mental Stimulation
Dogs who lack physical and mental stimulation may become bored, destructive, and aggressive.
It’s important to understand that violence can have many different causes. Seek professional evaluation to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan. A company like All Breeds has trainers who can help you control undesirable canine traits, including violence.