There is no greater reason for a dog being surrendered to a shelter or being put down than aggression. There are literally millions of dog bites reported annually in the United States, many of them serious enough to require medical attention. The majority of the bites are actually given to those in the dog's 'human family', most often children or elderly people. It is to the best interests of both the dog and the owner to deal with aggression issues quickly, when the problem first surfaces.
All sizes and breeds can be aggressive, and while genetics do play a part, other factors can also contribute to the problem. There are certain breeds that are simply more likely to attack than others, such as Rottweilers, German Shepherd Dogs, Pit Bulldogs, and Chow Chows. This is not to say that any of these dogs cannot make good pets, but it does mean that more care will have to be taken when raising an aggressive breed.
Dogs will often act aggressively when they are afraid, evidently holding to the saying that the best defense is an offense. One that exhibits fear aggression might or might not have been subject to abuse at some point - some dogs are just born shy and fearful. This is why it's so important when choosing a puppy out of a litter not to choose one that hangs back. If you already do have a fearful dog, you can help the dog overcome this by introducing it to situations where it will be around people and other dogs.
Dominance aggression occurs when the dog considers itself to be at the head of the pack, above the humans in the household. This often begins when he or she is only a puppy, generally in a breed that tends more towards aggression. The puppy will growl or bite if a person goes near its food dish or tries to remove a toy. It's true that French Bulldogs are not very aggressive, but ours learned right from the start that we were allowed to take food out of their mouths if we wanted. The 'pack order' should be established, with positive reinforcement and patience, right from the beginning - the dog should realize that every human in the house is above it in the pecking order.
Dogs are naturally territorial and protective, but when these instincts are too strong, aggression in the form of an attack can occur. One that goes crazy when someone comes to the door can pose a hazard if it happens to get loose. Once again, it will take time and patience to overcome this aggressive behavior. I found with my Frenchies that they will look at me when someone comes into the house to see what my reaction is, and I suspect that many dogs take their cue from their owner, so a calm greeting to a guest will also help keep your dog calmer. As soon as my dogs see that the person is welcome, they will welcome him or her as an old friend.
If you have a dog with aggression problems, it is in your best interests to help the dog overcome this behavior as soon as possible. An aggressive dog can seriously injure someone, and this could result in a lawsuit and destruction of the pet. Unless the dog is actually insane, which is always possible, an aggressive dog can be trained to behave in a normal manner.
The first thing to do when a dog acts aggressively is to take him or her to the vet. It is always possible that a hidden illness or injury is causing it to be irritable and lash out. If the dog is fine, then you should seek help immediately to correct the problem. Unless you are a dog trainer yourself, or have worked with dogs extensively, it's best to have the dog under the care of a professional. Your veterinarian is your best source of information about who will be best able to treat your dog.
A dog that rushes out at you, while barking, growling, or snarling is frightening, and is possibly dangerous. Although there are times when an attack will occur regardless of what you do, there are ways to defuse an attack, and actions that will precipitate it.
When an aggressive pet approaches, regardless of how you actually feel, present a calm exterior. They are very good at picking up behavioral clues and acting on them, and if you're jumpy and fidgety, it's much more likely that the dog will attack. Do not make eye contact with the dog, keep your eyes down and start to slowly back away. Aggressive dogs will view eye contact as a challenge and will more than likely take you up on it. Never, ever run when a dog attacks. Once you run, you have turned yourself into a prey animal and all the predatory instincts will surface - the dog will look on you as it does a rabbit.
If you are attacked by a large dog, drop into a fetal position, tucking your face between your knees and protecting the back of your neck with your hands.
Ivan's Puppies has been breeding and training puppies for over 30 years. Our hard work has been paying off, as now we are proud to be breeding Bulldog litters with excellent quality, with little to no health problems and good temperaments. For English Bulldog Puppies, visit our website at BulldogsNewYork.com
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