Addressing Aggression In Dogs

Do you have a dog that constantly growls at you, shows you his teeth or snaps at you? You may have an aggressive dog on your hands. Every day, many dogs exhibit aggressive tendencies. Although some aggression may be just for show, other dogs take it a bit further and seriously injure people or other dogs. Therefore, it is absolutely paramount that you understand the dynamics of dog aggression. In this article, we'll explain the causes of dog aggression and offer some tips for dealing with dog aggression as well.

First of all, we’ll discuss the various reasons why dogs may demonstrate aggressive tendencies. Although dog aggression may be caused by a single event, some aggressive behavior may be innate. Here are some tips to determine the cause of your dog’s aggression:

Agonistic aggression is exhibited when there is a personality conflict between two dogs. In this instance, the aggression might cause one or both dogs to act in an aggressive manner.

Barrier aggression is exhibited when a dog is confronted with a barrier, becomes frustrated, and is unable to escape. In response to the barrier, the dog exhibits aggressive behavior.

Competitive aggression is exhibited when dogs fight over social status. This is quite common with housemates as they attempt to discover which dog is "top dog."

Displaced aggression is exhibited when a dog is out of his comfort zone. This typically occurs in lost dogs found wandering the streets alone. They tend to show aggression out of fear.

Dominance aggression is exhibited when a dog believes that he is the leader of the pack. He tends to demonstrate aggression to keep the other members of the pack in submission, especially if he feels as if his dominance is being challenged.

Drug induced aggression is exhibited as a “side effect” of certain medications and tends to affect a dog's perceptions and may cause him to act in an aggressive manner. This type of aggression is typically is typically temporary and disappears once the medication is changed.

Fear induced aggression is exhibited when a dog is afraid. In response, he growls, snaps, demonstrates fear posture because he believes he is in a dangerous situation. this type of aggression is often found in abused dogs or those that are genetically prone toward aggression.

Improper socialization aggression is exhibited when dogs have not been properly socialized to get along well with other dogs. As such, when confronted with other dogs or people, they tend to become aggressive.

Intra sex aggression is exhibited when a female dog acts aggressively toward other females or when a male dog acts aggressively toward other male dogs.

Maternal protective aggression is exhibited when a mother dog acts to protect her puppies from harm.

Territorial aggression is exhibited when a dog acts aggressively in order to protect his toys, food or anything that he considers as his personal property.

Now that we have a better understanding of the different types of dog aggression, here are some tips when dealing with your aggressive dog:

1. If you believe your dog is aggressive, immediately take him to a veterinarian for a checkup to ensure that there are no medical causes of his aggressive behavior.

2. Consider hiring a trainer and begin obedience training right away. There are many trainers that are specifically equipped to handle aggressive dogs. Carefully select one that is experienced at handling aggressive dogs and have successfully taught owners how to deal with aggressive dogs in the past.

3. Do not encourage aggressive games like tug-of war, chasing your family members/ neighbors, or roughhousing with an aggressive dog. These types of games only intensify aggressive behavior.

4. Keep track of those things that might be contributing to his aggressive behavior and look for patterns of aggression.

5. Teach your dog that you are the ‘head dog” and that you are the leader of the pack. This can be done by doing the following:

a. Do not allow aggressive dogs to eat until you have given him the command to do so.

b. Ensure that your dog learns and follows the “leave it command.”

c. Do not let your dog go out of the door before you do.

d. Remove any toys that he considers as his personal property.

e. Prevent any disasters before they happen. For instance, do not take your dog out without putting on a leash.

In conclusion, there are many types of aggression that dogs exhibit. The key to dealing with dog aggression is to realize its potential causes and then taking proactive steps to effectively deal with this condition. By doing this, you can successfully deal with aggressive dog behavior and nip it in the bud before it becomes a major problem.

*There are 2 situations in which aggression between dogs occur.
*1-When one dog is unfamiliar with another dog.
*2-Aggression between familiar dogs that live in the same household.

*Dogs may encounter other dogs while their owners are walking them. A dog that is not well-socialized might have dominant body language and stare other dogs straight in the eyes, which is conceived to be a direct challenge. Dog's that are otherwise friendly when not on a leash will more likely bark and lunge at another dog.

*To avoid these confrontations owners should stay alert and keep their dog on a short leash. They should have voice control at all times and not let their dog sniff or come in contact with another dog. To prevent aggression when a dog is on a leash is to train the dog early on he can't visit with every canine he meets. Owners should also teach their dog to sit and wait for permission before approaching another dog. They should also train their dog not to pull on the leash. Behavior and basic obedience training along with voice control can help in preventing aggression and fights.

*Along with keeping their dogs on a leash and with proper training owners can also avoid fights by keeping their dogs from roaming free, neutering them before one year of age, and start socializing their dogs when they are in the puppy stage between 5 and 10 weeks of age.

*There are 4 behavioral clues to look for if a fight is threatening to start:
*1-A stern, deliberate, and targeted stare.
*2-Body language; the tail held stiffly up or down; lips pulled tight against the teeth.
*3-Rigid body movement.
*4-A dominating posture stance.

*When dogs first meet they tend to establish a social hierarchy and determine whose top dog. They become involved in loud barking and growling. Sometimes the aggression escalates and a fight ensues where one dog latches on to another dog.

*If you intervene don't put your hands or get between them to avoid getting bitten yourself. If another person is there you can take your dog by the tail or hind legs and the other person takes the other dog and both pull back until one of the dogs loosens its grip. You should then move away quickly. This can be risky since dogs will sometimes bite whoever is hanging on to them.

*Fights and aggression that occur between dogs in the same household will be about those resources that are considered most important to dogs. These include territory, possession, food, sleeping-quarters, and favored people.

*Fights often come about over their sleeping territory near their owners, treats, food, owner attention (or greeting the owner upon return).

*Dogs of the same sex occur most often than those of the opposite sex and seems to be most intense between female dogs. Fights can also start between familiar dogs where one is obviously dominant.

*There are some familiar characteristics when it comes to fighting between dogs in the same household.
*A-Adult dogs over 3 years old.
*B-Dogs fight only when the owner is present.
*C-Dogs are of the same sex.
*D-A clash often between dogs is which one will be the dominant dog in the family pack.

*An owner might try punishment but typically this only promotes more aggression and creates new problems. Any breed of dogs can get into fights, and it depends more on the dogs training, temperament, and socialization.

*Some fights can start so quickly the owner is caught off guard, but many times you can spot behaviors that signal problems ahead. Keeping a watch out for these signs can keep a fight from starting.

*Of course the best approach is prevention and giving your dog proper training and providing good leadership.

Aggression in dogs is a serious behavioral condition owners face. However, the problem could be avoided if the owner is properly aware of dogs' life stages and the things that can lead to dog aggression.

One million cases of reported dog bites are recorded each year but it only accounts for half of the cases because the other half go unreported. Most wounds from dog bites are not threatening. Unfortunatly children are bitten most often.

Genes, heredity, and environment are major factors affecting dog aggression. Some breeds like Rottweilers and Akitas display belligerent behaviors while some breeds take softer roles like Retrievers.

Mating related dogs can result in inconsistent attitudes in dogs and hormones can influence aggression between dogs of the same and opposite sexes.

Another factor that contributes to behavioral aggression is environment. That includes the dog's state of living, socializing, excessive disciplining and unwarranted reinforcing from the owner etc.

Furthermore, dogs instinctly live in packs. They occupy high or low social status. They see the people around them as part of the pack and they protect their status in the social rank by attacking the passive members of the family such as children. If dogs growl in defense of their bowls and they are not disciplined, the owners are giving the dogs an unwanted opportunity to develop such aggressive behavior over one of the family members or all of the family members. With time and without proper intervention from the owners, the dogs will surely establish their dominance in the social rank which includes the members of the family. Such dominant behavior will show when the dogs start to bite every time they start to see and feel that humans are a threat to their high social rank in the “pack”. Such dogs often end up at shelters, because their owners had, in reality, misunderstood their social behavior such as attacking without any definite purpose.

Dogs may be aggressive because of fear, territory, other dogs (siblings, dogs of the same sex, and dogs of the opposite sex), medications, predation, possession, puppies, food, play, maternity, senility, and illness or injury. Dogs may show one or a combination of several kinds of aggression.

Socializing dogs during their first 12 weeks of their life is a critical factor which is important to prevent dog aggression. Three to 16 weeks are the critical stages in dogs' growth because it is during these times that they learn to trust or mistrust. During these periods, they should be taught how to interact socially. As puppies, dogs should be exposed to humans especially children because if not, they will grow uncomfortable with the presence of people.

Ensure your dogs' and children's safety. Children are bitten by dogs commonly in the face. Dogs reprimand their puppies by opening their mouths across the puppies' faces. Children love to hug and kiss dogs. Sometimes dogs get offended so as a result, they see children as offending puppies.

Teach positive behavior like self-control to your dog. For instance, train him to keep still while you are preparing their food.

Be mindful of what dogs learn everyday. Don't let them bark at people who pass by on bikes or to mailmen, repairmen, delivery people and strangers. Do not leave your dogs unattended while fettered out of the house. Take dogs inside of the house for the night.

Choose solid fence over underground electronic fence.

You also need to neuter your dogs.

Aggression in dogs can be found in a variety of different behaviors and personality traits. Most dog owners only focus on the common aggressive dog behaviors such as barking, biting, growling etc... But it vital that you get to know your dog, that you can distinguish all types of dog aggression. Aggression and dominant behavior are natural instinct for pack animals such as dogs, they play an important role in the survival of wild dogs, giving each member of the pack a place in the hierarchy, using aggression to defend against predators, to hunt, and to assert dominance.

The level of aggression your dog demonstrates is determined by how much of a threat the individual or animal is seen to be. We class these as low and high level aggression. Low level aggression is the everyday aggression most dogs display. This is generally passive aggression, giving the other dog or person a warning that your dog is aggressive and in control of the situation. Low level aggressive behaviors include

1. Growling
2. Ignoring owners commands
3. Pushing and leaning into people
4. Jumping up on people or animals to intimidate
5. Aggressive stance

You will notice your dog displaying this lower level aggression when he or she begins to feel threatened. A common time to observe your dog in 'low level aggressive' mode is when he or she is introduced to another dog for the first time. Both dogs will take a stiff stance, observing and keeping their head up, tails up, and ears pointed. This is intended to make themselves appear dominant, and to look as tall as possible. After getting a good observation of the other dog and getting comfortable with the situation, one dog will generally back away, and you will notice the aggression begins to die, and the two dogs will start to become familiar with each other. Generally speaking, a spayed female will usually be the first to back down, followed by a neutered male, then an intact female, and last to back down will be an intact male. The build and stature of a dog is often irrelevant when it comes to introductions and this first aggressive encounter. The exception to this hierarchy is in instances when neither dog backs down, the aggression then builds as the battle for dominance begins. This will often lead to an extremely loud vocal display and often physical interaction.

When dogs meet a human for the first time, aggression will be shown through jumping up, pushing or leaning until the person becomes unstable and looses their footing, or growling with an intense stare. With smaller dogs and young puppies this behavior can often be portrayed as cute behavior and go un-noticed. Failure to identify and deal with this behavior can lead to more serious when the puppy has grown to be a larger dog, it can become dangerous and difficult to train. Whether your dog is a new/small puppy or a larger dog, it is important to deal with these aggression issues as early as possible, so your dog's 'low level aggression' doesn't become a problem in years to come.

If your dogs passive (low level) aggressive behavior is ineffective, it will escalate to higher levels of aggression in an attempt to recover dominance. Higher level dog aggression includes:

1. Snarling and snapping viciously
2. Biting
3. Jumping up and barking in an aggressive manner
4. Nipping at heels or legs
5. Staring and displaying teeth

Higher level aggressive behavior means business, your dog is still feeling threatened or non-dominant and your dog will move on to actual physical aggression, fighting, biting or attempting to bite. This is where things get serious and potentially dangerous. If you notice your dog's behavior escalating to high aggression levels, you must look into behavior modification training immediately. It is your responsibility to keep the public, other dogs, children and visitors to your home safe by isolating or sufficiently restraining your dog.

Aggression is a natural instinct for dogs, and it is essential that the owner is in control of the dog's aggression. Through early socialization and a firm understanding of the dog-owner relationship, your dog should not show aggressive behavior. If aggression does become a problem it is important to deal with the issue immediately. Re-training using positive methods works much better than punishment, but often professional assistance is needed.

Neutering a dog will control the hormonal causes of aggression, but not all aggression is hormonally caused. Spaying and neutering dogs does not guarantee that they will be docile, and breeds that are bred as watch dogs or herding animals will need specific training on being non-aggressive. Some dogs are not good with other animals or dogs, just like some breeds are less tolerant of children. It is important to understand the natural aggressive tendencies of the breed of dog that you are considering obtaining to make sure you get a good match for you and your family.

Aggression in dogs is a serious behavioral condition owners face. However, the problem could be avoided if the owner is properly aware of dogs' life stages and the things that can lead to dog aggression.

One million cases of reported dog bites are recorded each year but it only accounts for half of the cases because the other half go unreported. Most wounds from dog bites are not threatening. Unfortunatly children are bitten most often.

Genes, heredity, and environment are major factors affecting dog aggression. Some breeds like Rottweilers and Akitas display belligerent behaviors while some breeds take softer roles like Retrievers.

Mating related dogs can result in inconsistent attitudes in dogs and hormones can influence aggression between dogs of the same and opposite sexes.

Another factor that contributes to behavioral aggression is environment. That includes the dog's state of living, socializing, excessive disciplining and unwarranted reinforcing from the owner etc.

Furthermore, dogs instinctly live in packs. They occupy high or low social status. They see the people around them as part of the pack and they protect their status in the social rank by attacking the passive members of the family such as children. If dogs growl in defense of their bowls and they are not disciplined, the owners are giving the dogs an unwanted opportunity to develop such aggressive behavior over one of the family members or all of the family members. With time and without proper intervention from the owners, the dogs will surely establish their dominance in the social rank which includes the members of the family. Such dominant behavior will show when the dogs start to bite every time they start to see and feel that humans are a threat to their high social rank in the “pack”. Such dogs often end up at shelters, because their owners had, in reality, misunderstood their social behavior such as attacking without any definite purpose.

Dogs may be aggressive because of fear, territory, other dogs (siblings, dogs of the same sex, and dogs of the opposite sex), medications, predation, possession, puppies, food, play, maternity, senility, and illness or injury. Dogs may show one or a combination of several kinds of aggression.

Socializing dogs during their first 12 weeks of their life is a critical factor which is important to prevent dog aggression. Three to 16 weeks are the critical stages in dogs' growth because it is during these times that they learn to trust or mistrust. During these periods, they should be taught how to interact socially. As puppies, dogs should be exposed to humans especially children because if not, they will grow uncomfortable with the presence of people.

Ensure your dogs' and children's safety. Children are bitten by dogs commonly in the face. Dogs reprimand their puppies by opening their mouths across the puppies' faces. Children love to hug and kiss dogs. Sometimes dogs get offended so as a result, they see children as offending puppies.

Teach positive behavior like self-control to your dog. For instance, train him to keep still while you are preparing their food.

Be mindful of what dogs learn everyday. Don't let them bark at people who pass by on bikes or to mailmen, repairmen, delivery people and strangers. Do not leave your dogs unattended while fettered out of the house. Take dogs inside of the house for the night.

Choose solid fence over underground electronic fence.

You also need to neuter your dogs.

Training a dog to act properly has many benefits, for the dogs and their human companions alike. Dog behavior training is critical in order to prevent such negative behaviors as aggression. It is important to deal with dog aggression issues by training dogs to interrelate appropriately with other dogs and especially people.

In order to know how to effectively train your dog to be a loyal and eager pet, it is important to know where dogs came from, and how their interaction with each other can affect training.

The first domesticated dogs were likely abandoned wolf puppies taken in by early humans. These wild dogs were taught to perform tasks that the humans needed assistance with, like guardian territory and frightening potential predators. Humans in turn provided sanctuary to the dogs, in addition to food and companionship.

This is a kind of connection that continues today. Many dogs still perform a variety of tasks for their masters, including herding, guarding, and hunting.

Be aware that dogs are instinctively pack creatures before beginning a training program. In wild dog packs, each member of the pack quickly learns his or her place in the ranking. Only when the alpha dog dies does the hierarchy ever change once established. The lower dogs understand that they do not challenge the pack leader, and the alpha dog carries out his duties as pack leader.

The other members of pack look to the alpha dog for leadership, food, and protection. Keeping this in mind, it is important for you to be the pack leader when you begin training your dog.

A dog that submits to his human pack leader will respect his commands without question. Earning your dog's respect is the first crucial step in effective dog training, and it will lay the groundwork for all succeeding training.

There are many reasons to train a dog properly. A calm and well-mannered dog is pleasant to be near, both for the dog's family, and other people he might encounter. Additionally, being around an obedient dog assuages people's fears, especially when it comes to more controversial breeds like Rottweilers and Pit Bulls.

Knowing why a dog is exhibiting a negative behavior is important in effectively training and modifying bad behaviors. For instance, separation anxiety may be the root cause of many bad behaviors chewing and destructive behaviors. Solving the root cause of the problem will help to eliminate the peripheral behaviors.

Stress and the lack of ability to deal with it can cause a host of unpleasant dog behaviors. One objective of a high-quality dog training program is to help the dog to endure stress without exhibiting negative behaviors.

It is important to differentiate human behavior and dog behavior when training and working through bad behaviors. Dogs and humans have different motivations and reactions, so avoid the temptation to see your dog as human, and react on that impulse.

One thing the humans and dogs have in common is their sociability and the need to form close groups and strong bonds. While the bonding is very important to dogs and humans, it has served very different purposes in the evolution of each species over time.

Aggression in Boxer Dogs

There are certain breeds of dogs that tend to be more aggressive than others. We all have heard stories of pit bulls, chow-chows, and boxers that show aggressive behavior, growling, snarling, and even biting people and other animals. Signs of hostility in a dog include bared teeth, flattened ears, erect tail, stiff legs, and bristling back hair; the dog may growl or bark. If you see these behaviors, you should keep your arms at your sides and slowly back away, while firmly saying "No." Why do certain breeds tend to be aggressive? Let’s look at boxers as one breed that can behave aggressively under certain circumstances.

Why do boxers tend to be aggressive?

Sometimes Boxers are aggressive just because it is part of the breed’s specific instinctual behavior. It is not learned, but inbred over time. Boxers also tend to become aggressive when they have not been socialized adequately as puppies. A lack of exposure to “the world,” including other animals and people causes boxers to fear the unknown. They show aggression toward other animals and people because they are unsure and afraid. Boxers are strong-willed dogs; they have minds of their own and they don’t hesitate to act on their own. Boxers need confident owners who can take charge of the animal, train properly, and maintain control at all times. Be aware that sometimes aggression can be caused by thyroid problems. Always have your dog checked by a vet when it shows aggression to rule out medical problems.

Understanding Your Boxer

Sometimes Boxers are aggressive just because it is part of the breed’s specific instinctual behavior. It is not learned, but inbred over time. Boxers also tend to become aggressive when they have not been socialized adequately as puppies. A lack of exposure to “the world,” including other animals and people causes boxers to fear the unknown. They show aggression toward other animals and people because they are unsure and afraid. Boxers are strong-willed dogs; they have minds of their own and they don’t hesitate to act on their own. Boxers need confident owners who can take charge of the animal, train properly, and maintain control at all times. Be aware that sometimes aggression can be caused by thyroid problems. Always have your dog checked by a vet when it shows aggression to rule out medical problems.

Understanding Your Boxer

Many Boxers have protective instincts toward their owners when strangers are near. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal, non-threatening behavior of family members, friends, and neighbors. Then they are able to recognize the differences when someone acts threatening. Without extensive socialization from an early age, they are suspicious of everyone, which can lead to biting, snarling, growling, and aggressiveness or are so fearful of being harmed that they become aggressive in their own defense.

Many Boxers are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs, especially those of the same sex. Some have strong instincts to chase and kill cats and other animals. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, or care of this breed, it is capable of injuring or killing other animals.

If a Boxer puppy is removed from its mother before seven weeks of age, it will not learn canine social signals such as bite inhibition, which are taught by the mother dog and siblings during this time. The puppy will be “mouthy” and nip, resist being handled, and act aggressively and fearfully toward other animals.
Conversely, if a puppy lives with its mother or siblings for more than 12 weeks, his position in the "pecking order" may be so ingrained that he will always act dominant (if he was at the top) or submissive (if he was at the bottom) toward people or other dogs.

How to Control Aggressive Boxers?

Socializing Boxers

The best way to begin socializing your Boxer is to bring him home at seven or eight weeks of age and get him out into the world daily. Yes, daily is what it takes to establish a strong bond with your dog so that he will trust, respect, and obey you. This is “socializing” your dog, i.e.; getting him used to people, other dogs, other animals, and the world. This has an incredible impact on your dog’s behavior as he grows into adulthood.

It’s also crucial to socialize your adolescent dog, between the ages of six and nine months old to three years old. This is a difficult time of life for dogs; they are changing physically and learning constantly. They must be taught how to behave around people and other animals.

Continuing to socialize your Boxer during adulthood will not change the attitudes your dog has developed as a puppy, but can help to control his behavior so that he doesn’t act afraid or aggressive.

Socializing begins early and continues throughout your Boxer’s life. Take him for rides in the car. Take him to pet stores and other stores that allow dogs. Expose him to other animals at dog parks and as you take walks. Visit friends with him and have friends come to your home. Teach the dog to greet visitors. Use praise, praise, praise and affection constantly to encourage good behavior. Build a strong relationship with your Boxer; you are the leader and as the leader you must be calm, strong, loving, and consistent.

Touching has a powerful emotional effect on many dogs. It is part of the bonding process between the owner and the dog. Your dog must be willing to accept touching so that you can groom him, care for injuries, and put leashes and collars on him. Also, touch will help develop a strong, loving relationship between you, leading to his desire to please you. A daily “touch” session of five minutes or so is invaluable.

Training Boxers

Most puppies are ready to begin obedience lessons at six to eight months of age. The first lessons should be brief, 10 to 15 minutes a day (in addition to socialization activities), and gradually increase to 30 minutes. Training works best with lots of praise and a stern "no" for corrections.

The trainer should always be consistent in reinforcing good behavior and correcting bad behavior and should never strike a dog. Many trainers use a leash and chain-link collar, known as a choke collar. In spite of its name, the collar is never meant to choke a dog, but is used to deliver quick snaps to gain a dog's attention. This training collar is useful in teaching basic obedience commands, such as sit, stay, heel, come, and down.

You must establish yourself as the leader of the dog’s pack. If you don’t, you will never have your dog under control. You must be strong, calm, firm, and respectful of the dog. Your behavior will determine whether your dog will obey you and respect you. The well-trained dog isn’t ultimately trained by treats, collars, or demands; he is trained by his love and respect for you.

Conclusion

In training Boxers to be non-aggressive, the owner must commit to daily socialization and training sessions for the duration of the dog’s life. The respectful and loving relationship between the Boxer and the owner is the most important factor in the Boxer’s acceptance of and non-aggression toward people and other animals. The owner must be the pack leader – firm, loving, consistent, and in control at all times.

Refer to All About Boxer Dogs for more information.

Aggression in dogs is a serious behavioral condition owners face. However, the problem could be avoided if the owner is properly aware of dogs' life stages and the things that can lead to dog aggression.

One million cases of reported dog bites are recorded each year but it only accounts for half of the cases because the other half go unreported. Most wounds from dog bites are not threatening. Unfortunatly children are bitten most often.

Genes, heredity, and environment are major factors affecting dog aggression. Some breeds like Rottweilers and Akitas display belligerent behaviors while some breeds take softer roles like Retrievers.

Mating related dogs can result in inconsistent attitudes in dogs and hormones can influence aggression between dogs of the same and opposite sexes.

Another factor that contributes to behavioral aggression is environment. That includes the dog's state of living, socializing, excessive disciplining and unwarranted reinforcing from the owner etc.

Furthermore, dogs instinctly live in packs. They occupy high or low social status. They see the people around them as part of the pack and they protect their status in the social rank by attacking the passive members of the family such as children. If dogs growl in defense of their bowls and they are not disciplined, the owners are giving the dogs an unwanted opportunity to develop such aggressive behavior over one of the family members or all of the family members. With time and without proper intervention from the owners, the dogs will surely establish their dominance in the social rank which includes the members of the family. Such dominant behavior will show when the dogs start to bite every time they start to see and feel that humans are a threat to their high social rank in the "pack". Such dogs often end up at shelters, because their owners had, in reality, misunderstood their social behavior such as attacking without any definite purpose.

Dogs may be aggressive because of fear, territory, other dogs (siblings, dogs of the same sex, and dogs of the opposite sex), medications, predation, possession, puppies, food, play, maternity, senility, and illness or injury. Dogs may show one or a combination of several kinds of aggression.

Socializing dogs during their first 12 weeks of their life is a critical factor which is important to prevent dog aggression. Three to 16 weeks are the critical stages in dogs' growth because it is during these times that they learn to trust or mistrust. During these periods, they should be taught how to interact socially. As puppies, dogs should be exposed to humans especially children because if not, they will grow uncomfortable with the presence of people.

Ensure your dogs' and children's safety. Children are bitten by dogs commonly in the face. Dogs reprimand their puppies by opening their mouths across the puppies' faces. Children love to hug and kiss dogs. Sometimes dogs get offended so as a result, they see children as offending puppies.

Teach positive behavior like self-control to your dog. For instance, train him to keep still while you are preparing their food.

Be mindful of what dogs learn everyday. Don't let them bark at people who pass by on bikes or to mailmen, repairmen, delivery people and strangers. Do not leave your dogs unattended while fettered out of the house. Take dogs inside of the house for the night.

Choose solid fence over underground electronic fence.

You also need to neuter your dogs.