There’s a good reason why dogs are called a man’s best friend. They can love and hate us equally, feel jealous, follow our trail, and respond to commands. So, it’s only natural to anthropomorphize a canine companion.
That means as pet owners, we tend to attribute all human qualities to dogs. In doing so, we fail to realize the thin line of difference between the two species. You see, canines don’t really go through similar experiences like us. And that’s precisely why a dog’s emotions are misread when it displays aggression. In most cases, it’s a sign of an underlying health condition.
In this article, we explore the root causes of a dog’s aggression and effective tips to keep such issues at bay.
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Physical Health and Aggression
It is necessary to understand that a dog’s behavior is a direct reflection of its physical, mental, and emotional health. While aggression in dogs is often labeled as a behavioral issue or poor training, it can frequently stem from a health problem or stressors. This could be either physical discomfort or chronic and mental strain, and sometimes a combination of all. Together, they make way into turning an otherwise gentle pet reactive.
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Pain and Discomfort
All animals, including dogs, feel threatened when they are in pain or discomfort. As an obvious response, they project aggressive behavior. On the inside, the pain can stem from various conditions, like chronic joint issues or injuries. Let’s take a closer look.
Similar to humans, chronic health issues like arthritis, hip dysplasia, and musculoskeletal problems are common in dogs, especially as they age. These conditions, in turn, lead to recurring discomfort, irritability, and lower tolerance to stress.
The common tell-tale signs include whimpering, keeping quiet and withdrawn, displaying hostile behavior when someone approaches, low appetite, limping or stiffness, restlessness or panting.
Unfortunately, untreated pain and discomfort can cause anxiety and aggression. Remember, managing the first instances of dog aggression can be tricky. If dogs feel scared or anxious, they might end up biting people, which is always a medical emergency. But things become complicated when you’re bitten by someone else’s dog or your pet bites others.
Say, you accidentally encounter your neighbor’s dog , and it bites you through the skin. That’s a serious personal injury where the pet owner is liable for negligence. As a dog bite victim, you are eligible to press charges by calling in a dog bite injury attorney.
According to Russell & Hill, a dog owner is fully liable to pay compensation to the victim even if it’s the first time the dog has bitten someone. The compensation usually covers all medical expenses, including any surgery (if needed), medicines, and physical therapy.
Regular visits to the vet are necessary to identify the source of pain or discomfort early. A thorough wellness examination can detect signs of discomfort in dogs that owners might miss. Depending on the wellness test results, the vet can advise medications to manage the pain or suggest physical therapy to alleviate aggression.
Age-Related Aggression
As dogs grow older, they tend to develop several age-related issues, which in turn, trigger aggression. One of the common age-related issues that may cause pain is the onset of arthritis accounting for increased irritability.
Moreover, older dogs might react aggressively simply because they feel vulnerable due to their declining strength. By recognizing the common signs aging dogs exhibit, owners can create a comfortable environment to bring down stress and aggression
Mental Health and Stress Levels
Studies show a direct relation between stress and the development of emotional disorders in dogs, just like humans.
Chronic Stress and Its Impact on Aggression
When animals are constantly exposed to stressful environments (like restraining or being held captive), it leads to extensive buildup of glucocorticoids. This, in turn, spikes the aggression threshold beyond limits.
Importance of Mental Stimulation
Mental stimulation positively impacts a dog’s happiness and good health. When you engage your pet in mental challenges, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters to lower stress levels. Regular activities can be of great help.
A mentally stimulated dog is less prone to aggression and activities have a major role to play. Some of the popular and effective mentally stimulating activities for your dog include hide-and-seek, “go find it”, scent walks, puzzles, and interactive toys.
If you’re dealing with high-energy breeds like German Shepherds or Border Collies., it makes sense to keep them engaged, as they tend to get bored easily. This happens more in families where everyone leaves for work or school and the dog is left behind to guard the home all alone.
Common signs of a dog getting bored are chewing up pillows, knocking down trash cans, and over-excitement to see his owner back home. They may also exhibit excessive body-licking, tail-chasing, barking loudly for nothing, and running away from home frequently.
Emotional Health and Aggression
While aggression in dogs can be due to physical pain or discomfort, it’s necessary to assess the emotional angle as well. Things can get a lot worse when a dog constantly feels scared, anxious, or has not been socialized for long.
Fear and Anxiety as Aggression Triggers
Dogs suffering from anxiety or fear and exhibiting aggressive behavior can be linked to past trauma involving the owner. It’s only common for the animal to feel scared if it’s been held captive for long, starved, and beaten.
Socialization and Confidence Building
Controlled socialization exposes dogs to newer environments in a gradual manner. This helps instill confidence, reduces anxiety, and helps the animal feel more secure. With this, there is less possibility of a dog showing aggression toward strangers and other animals.
The Role of Nutrition in Behavior
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Surprisingly, nutrition can play a significant role in making your dog aggressive or calm. It can be the cornerstone of their everyday behavior.
How Nutrition Affects Aggression
Research has shown dogs that are fed high-carbohydrate diets are generally more active compared to the ones on high-protein diets. Amino acid treatments have also shown beneficial results.
For instance, tryptophan, an amino acid occuring in protein, is a precursor to serotonin. This is a neurotransmitter that promotes feelings of well-being. A diet rich in tryptophan can help regulate serotonin levels, reducing stress and, consequently, aggressive behaviors.
Balanced Diet for Behavioral Health
A balanced diet that includes all necessary vitamins and nutrients ensures that a dog maintains both physical and emotional health. Nutritional imbalances can lead to energy spikes or mood swings, both of which can exacerbate aggressive tendencies. Consulting with a veterinarian to establish a healthy, well-rounded diet can be a proactive step in reducing behavioral problems.
Reducing Aggression through Holistic Health
Physical exercise is essential for managing a dog’s energy levels. Dogs that are not given sufficient opportunities to burn off excess energy may become frustrated and aggressive.
Regular Exercise and Physical Activity
Regular exercise helps provide an outlet for pent-up energy, making the dog less likely to lash out. Activities like walking, running, or interactive play are all great ways to manage a dog’s energy and keep it balanced.
Environmental Management to Reduce Stress
Creating a low-stress environment for a dog is another key factor in managing aggression. Dogs need safe spaces where they can retreat when they feel overwhelmed.
Providing areas with minimal stimulation, using white noise to mask outside sounds, or creating “safety zones” where the dog can relax without fear of confrontation can help reduce stress-induced aggression.
The Bottom Line
Undeniably, a dog’s aggression is a direct result of its health and well-being. From physical pain to chronic stress, and emotional instability to nutritional imbalance-its a combined effect.
Thus, it is necessary to commit your pet to regular medical check-ups, mentally stimulating activities, controlled socialization, and a balanced diet. That way, dogs can stay happy, and healthy, and be a lot less aggressive.
Author Bio
Gaurav Gupta is a passionate legal writer with a knack for exploring complex law-related topics. His versatility is evident from the topics he has covered, from writing about the role a dog bite injury attorney can play in personal injury claims to explaining how new parents can seek compensation from brands selling cow-milk- based formulas for the harm caused by the product to newborns.
When he’s not crafting engaging content, he enjoys exploring nature trails, experimenting in the kitchen, and strumming his guitar. His diverse interests fuel his creativity, resulting in insightful and relatable articles.
