Why is my dog showing aggression?

Aggression is the most misunderstood dog behaviour. It is rarely about "dominance" or the dog being "bad" — most aggression is rooted in fear, pain, resource guarding, or frustration. Understanding the underlying cause is essential before any intervention.

Types of dog aggression

- Fear-based aggression — the most common type. The dog feels threatened and aggresses to create distance. Classic signal sequence: freeze → stare → stiff body posture → growl → snap → bite. Removing the growl (by punishing it) is extremely dangerous — the dog still bites, but without warning.
- Resource guarding — aggression over food, toys, beds, or locations. The dog is protecting something of value. Not dominance — a normal canine survival behaviour that can be managed with counterconditioning.
- Pain-induced aggression — a dog in pain will sometimes bite even a trusted person who touches a painful area. Always rule out a medical cause for sudden-onset aggression.
- Redirected aggression — the dog is aroused by one stimulus (another dog, a squirrel) and bites the nearest thing (often the owner).
- Frustration-induced aggression — common in dogs that have been punished, restrained, or repeatedly thwarted.
- Predatory behaviour — instinctive, silent, and without warning. Most often directed at small animals, less often at humans.

Warning signs to take seriously

- Stiff, rigid body posture when approached
- Hard stare (unblinking eye contact)
- Growling or showing teeth
- Raised hackles (piloerection)
- Snapping without contact

What to do immediately

- Do not punish growling — it removes the warning system
- Manage the situation — avoid exposing the dog to the trigger while you seek professional help
- Do not put yourself at risk — use barriers, leads, and distance

Professional help

Aggression requires assessment by a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA or equivalent) or a veterinary behaviourist (DACVB). Treatment involves identifying triggers, systematic behaviour modification, and often behaviour medication.

Flovvi tip

Log each aggressive incident in Flovvi — the trigger, the dog's body language beforehand, and the intensity. This pattern log is invaluable for a behaviourist to review.