Understanding the common categories of canine aggression - A guide for all dog owners
The commonly used types of aggression are below which need to be understand based on the underlying causes and triggers. We need to understand that aggression in dogs can stem from a combination of factors, and a single dog may exhibit more than one type of aggression.
Aggressive behaviour can be divided into offensive (going after the other individual) and defensive (defending from a perceived threat) aggression.
· Territorial Aggression - Dogs may become aggressive when they perceive a threat to their territory, such as their home or garden. They may defend their space against perceived intruders
· Protective Aggression- This is similar to territorial aggression, but it's more about protecting specific people or objects, like a family member or a toy. Dogs may become aggressive when they think someone is a threat to their loved ones
· Fear Aggression- Dogs that are fearful or anxious may become aggressive as a defensive response to perceived threats. This can occur in situations that make the dog uncomfortable
· Possessive Aggression/Resource Guarding- Dogs can become aggressive when they are guarding a resource like food, toys, or other items. This is often referred to as resource guarding
· Dominance Aggression- Some dogs may exhibit aggression as a way to establish dominance or maintain a dominant position within a group. This type of aggression is often seen in multi-dog households
· Social Aggression- Dogs may display aggression during social interactions with other dogs. This can happen during play, while establishing social hierarchies, or when meeting unfamiliar dogs
· Redirected Aggression- In some cases, a dog may redirect their aggression from the initial source of frustration to a more accessible target, such as a person or another pet
· Predatory Aggression- Some dogs exhibit aggression driven by their natural hunting instincts. This type of aggression can be directed towards small animals, objects, or even people in certain situations
· Pain-Induced Aggression- A dog in pain may become aggressive due to discomfort. This is a defensive response to protect themselves from further pain or discomfort
· Maternal Aggression- Female dogs may become aggressive when they are protecting their puppies
· Idiopathic Aggression- In some cases, aggression may not have an obvious cause, and it's termed "idiopathic." This type of aggression can be challenging to diagnose and manage
To summarise/conclude, there are a number of situations where the dog may start to show aggression behaviours, it’s essential to recognise and address the specific type of aggression a dog is exhibiting as well as if this is considered offensive/defensive, as the treatment and management may vary depending on the underlying cause. Please reach out to us if you are experiencing any of the above, so that we can help create an individualised behaviour modification plan to address the behaviours being demonstrated
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