Aggression: Aggression

Aggression

Aggression is the most common problem canine behaviorists see. Why is it so common? The reason is simple: aggression is a normal behavior for dogs. One of the many ways dogs communicate is through actions, including threats and attacks, directed toward people or other animals. Problems with aggression occur when there’s miscommunication between people and dogs—not surprising, since we don’t speak the same language.

Can any dog be aggressive? Yes, from toy breeds to terriers, any dog has the potential for aggression. But like it or not, some breeds are more likely than others to have aggressive tendencies. Terriers, for instance, have all been bred for aggression toward small, furry prey animals such as moles, badgers, and rats. When the terrier’s natural prey is unavailable, this aggressive tendency can easily be turned toward cats or pocket pets such as hamsters and gerbils. Dogs who are bred to guard property or livestock have a genetic tendency toward aggression. It’s a normal part of being a guard dog. Because there’s genetic variability within each breed, some dogs within a breed can have a higher genetic tendency to be aggressive than others of the same breed. Because aggression is heritable, dogs who show inappropriate aggressive behavior should be spayed or neutered so they don’t pass on the tendency to their offspring.