Mary Allen
If a dog is aggressive towards other dogs, there is always a reason. These are the five most common.
Basically, dogs are extremely social creatures. As a result of their wolf descent, they form close-knit packs with a fixed hierarchy. However, there are also dogs that (apparently) do not get along with conspecifics and quickly become aggressive. These are possible reasons for this.
Behavioral Disorders
If a dog is aggressive towards other dogs – and possibly also other animals and people – then the cause of this can be a behavioral disorder. For example, the dog may have been traumatized by other dogs in the past. Such a dog can develop “preventive aggression”. He becomes pre-emptively aggressive and thus protects himself from close encounters with conspecifics of which he is afraid.
In some cases, there may also be an organic brain disorder. A veterinarian should be consulted here, who will carry out any necessary examinations.
Just like humans, dogs should and can learn socially appropriate behavior. A prerequisite for the development of peaceful behavior towards other dogs is sufficient to practice and experience in dealing with conspecifics.
Typically, a puppy will take their first steps socially with their littermates, with whom they will play and fight playfully. After the transition to his new human family, he should be allowed to gain more experience – for example in a puppy playgroup and later in a dog school.
A dog that doesn’t have these experiences may have trouble behaving appropriately around other dogs. This can also lead to aggressive behavior.
Missing utilization
Dogs that have a lot of temperament must be exercised well so that they do not transfer the energy into aggressive behavior. This utilization includes physical and mental activities that suit the dog.
For example, traditional walks are not enough for some dogs. They become more relaxed and peaceful when they are regularly allowed to cycle for long periods of time. Mental utilization consists in giving the dog the opportunity to learn new things.
Your dog will love these outdoor intelligence games.
Bad attachment to human
Bad attachment to the owner can also be a reason for aggressiveness. It may be that a dog does not fully trust its human and therefore feels the need to defend itself against other dogs.
Under certain circumstances, human behavior in aggressive situations can be even more beneficial here. Dogs can also use yelling and scolding as support, as they misjudge their human reactions to the poor bond.
As a dog owner, you should consistently put the dog in its place if it shows signs of aggressive behavior. In any case, you should avoid becoming overly angry or loud yourself. You have to be very clear and consistent. Repeatedly being assertive yet calm will teach your dog that he can trust you. His aggressiveness will decrease as he gradually learns that it is not wanted.
Healthy aggression
It should not go unmentioned that there is also healthy and appropriate aggression in a dog. Encounters with conspecifics do not always have to be completely peaceful. What matters is how aggressiveness is expressed. It should not last longer than necessary, nor should it be accompanied by behavior that is dangerous to the other dog.
Short aggressions serve to clarify the hierarchy in a dog encounter. Here it is important to know your dog well and to be able to read his body language perfectly.
If you suspect that you have problems in this regard, attending a dog training school can be helpful. Also, play lots of “physical” games with your dog. So don’t throw a ball, instead have a playful fight with your dog using a toy that you jostle for with your dog. In this way, you get to know your dog better and also strengthen the bond with him. Important: In the end, you should always have the upper hand, start and end the game.
By the way: If your dog bites another dog and this causes damage, you can protect yourself against the costs with dog liability insurance. You can read which dog insurance policies are still important here: Dog insurance policies.