What causes Aggression?

True aggression in dogs is actually quite rare, most cases of so called aggression are often mis-diagnosed. A dog that bites when cornered or one that attacks when you take away its food is not always acting from aggression.

I believe true aggression is a premeditated or cognitive function. This is mostly identifiable by “The calm before the storm”. Body language often gives this away, a still and stiff posture, a cold fixated stare, a break in panting are all subtle signs that a dog may potentially launch an attack.

Sometimes though it’s not easy to see the signs, I have been bitten a few times through not being able to read a signal.

Dominance is another rare trait in dogs but it does exist, dominance led aggression is very dangerous. It’s almost impossible for the dog to follow commands in this state of mind, once they have bitten down they may have difficulty releasing the bite and you may have to assist using a bite or break stick.

Dominance needs very careful management, and sometimes if the environment is not conducive to this, for example if you have young children you may have to look at alternative actions like rehoming with an expert handler.