Dog aggression can be a distressing and frightening problem for dogs and their owners. Some dogs will only be aggressive in specific situations, for example with other dogs or certain people, while for other dogs it may feel like they’re aggressive all the time with no obvious cause or pattern to their behaviour. Whatever the situation, seeing your dog act in an aggressive way can be scary and upsetting, especially as we love our pets and don’t want to see them in a position where they might hurt themselves or others.
It’s easy for owners of dogs who show aggressive behaviours to feel helpless or guilty, but it’s really important to remember that it doesn’t make them a ‘bad dog’ or you a ‘bad owner’. However, it is essential to get help for your dog as soon as you can. Aggression tends to get worse over time and it’s much easier to take steps to help before aggressive behaviour becomes a pattern.
There are a number of different causes of aggression in dogs but they often start with your dog being afraid. Aggressive behaviours are a natural way for dogs to communicate with each other and they allow your dog to let others know that they’re feeling threatened. Usually dogs will start with subtle signs that they’re scared or try to remove themselves from the situation to avoid a fight. But if this doesn’t work, or they’re unable to get away, they may feel they need to use aggressive behaviour to try to make the scary thing go away.
Over time, your dog may have learnt that being aggressive is more effective for them when they’re frightened than using subtle signs or running away. This can be a big reason why people don’t think their dog is scared. If they’re running towards something and barking or growling, they don’t look scared to us. But your dog may be feeling that their only option is to use aggression.
Most dogs will only become aggressive when they feel they don’t have any other choice. This is why it’s important to try to avoid situations where your dog might behave aggressively and to quickly remove them as soon as they start to feel uncomfortable. Putting your dog in a position where they might become aggressive will likely be distressing for them as well as others and in the worst case, could lead to fights, bites and serious injuries.
Another cause of aggressive behaviours is a dog’s instinct to hunt. Most dogs have some level of ‘prey drive’ (the impulse to run and catch what they see as food). In the domesticated world, these actions can look aggressive to us.
Whatever the cause, it can be really upsetting if your dog shows aggression and can lead to owners becoming concerned about the quality of life for their dog and the safety of themselves and others. The good news is that there are steps you can take to help your dog so the problem doesn’t escalate and lead to further distress or injuries.
Knowing about dog body language is the first step to helping your dog. Dogs rarely bite without warning, but some of the warning signs are very subtle so can be easily missed.
Sadly, some dogs will learn to stop showing these signs if they aren’t being listened to and can move straight to showing more threatening behaviour, so learning early warning signs is one of the best way to avoid aggression.
Subtle warning signs that your dog is feel anxious or uncomfortable include:
Signs of aggression may include:
If your dog is showing any of these signs, try to remove them from the situation. Never punish your dog for showing these signs or force a dog into situation that’s making them afraid. Telling them off or forcing them into a situation they aren't happy with may cause your dog to act more aggressively and could lead to injuries.
Find out more about your dog's body language in our free guide:
If your dog is showing any changes in their behaviour, especially if they have started showing aggression suddenly, you should contact your vet as soon as possible. Aggression tends to get worse over time and can lead to serious injuries to you, your dog or other people and pets so getting help is essential.
Your vet will be able to rule out any medical causes for the change in your dog's behaviour. Some dogs can become aggressive if they are in pain, for example if they are arthritic and have sore joints or a sore back. Your vet will also be able to recommend an accredited behaviourist who can help your dog to cope in the situations that trigger their behaviour and help them learn a better way to react.
Most dogs only act aggressively in certain situations so identifying the cause of their behaviour can really help. If you can avoid their triggers, you will often stop your dog’s aggression getting worse. Discussing these triggers with your vet and behaviourist is a really important part of their treatment.
If your dog is aggressive towards other dogs, the best thing to do is avoid them as much as possible. We know this can be difficult, but try to walk your dog at times or in places when you know there won’t be other dogs around.
If you do meet another dog, it’s best to walk away calmly but quickly. Distract your dog with something they really like, such as a treat or toy, and get far enough away from the other dog that they are calm again. It can help to try to get a physical barrier between the two dogs, for example a gate, fence or car.
Don’t let your dog off the lead in areas where there might be other dogs. Read our advice on dog fights so you’re prepared just in case things escalate.
If your dog is aggressive towards people, it can be more complicated to find the trigger for their aggression. Look for patterns in how your dog reacts:
Once you’ve started to find out why your dog is acting aggressively, avoid the situations that are causing conflict until you can get help from a professional.
Never escalate the situation if your dog is acting aggressively, for example by forcing them to go towards the thing they’re reacting to or by punishing or shouting at them. This can make everything a lot worse for both you and your dog.
If your dog starts to show any of the warning signs above, avoid or stop whatever is triggering their behaviour as soon as possible. If the situation continues or keeps happening, it’s likely your dog will react more and more strongly each time and even the friendliest of dogs can bite if they’re pushed to their limit.
It’s also important to never leave children alone with your dog, especially if they have a history of aggressive or anxious behaviour. Children may not understand the signals your dog is giving and they can act in ways your dog finds unpredictable and scary.
For more information, take a look at our free guide on keeping children safe around dogs:
No matter how your dog behaves around other dogs and people, it is a good idea to muzzle train them. That way, it will be much less stressful for them if they ever do need to wear one.
There are lots of reasons why your dog might need to wear a muzzle, such as when they need tests or a painful examination at the vets. They can also be useful if your dog has a habit of eating things they shouldn’t when they’re out and about!
Remember, wearing a muzzle doesn’t have to be a bad thing for your dog and it’s better to be prepared in case your dog ever needs to wear one to keep everyone safe.
Knowing and calmly responding to the warning signs above can reduce the risk of a dog biting you. If you’re worried by how a dog is behaving, it’s best to stay calm and slowly walk away. If there's no space to move away then stand still and try not to stare directly at the dog. It’s also a good idea to keep your arms still and out of the way, for example having them crossed in front of your chest. If you or someone you know does get bitten, it’s important to get medical attention as soon as possible.
There are a few things you can do to help avoid your dog becoming aggressive in different situations:
Learn more about socialisation and training in our free guides:
Many people who have experienced dog aggression find that they become afraid of dogs. It can be difficult to know what to do in this situation, especially if it’s your own dog you are afraid of.
At these times, it’s important to know you’re not on your own and there are lots of ways to get help. We would always recommend contacting a professional, like your vet or a behaviourist. They will often be able to provide support and help for you and your dog and discuss the options with you.
It’s also important that you’re supported as dealing with an aggressive dog alone can be stressful, and sometimes even dangerous for you and your family. You could try contacting Blue Cross on their pet behaviour helpline: 0300 777 1975, or Wood Green pet support line: 0300 303 9333. If coping with an aggressive dog is affecting your mental health, you may want to consider contacting the NHS or your GP for advice. Remember that you’re not alone and that there are often way to improve things for you and your dog.
Learn all about what your dog is trying to tell you in our free dog body language guide. You'll be able to learn when your dog is feeling happy, stressed or even angry.
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