See my (9) Puppy Classes. see (6) Timid and Fearful Dogs, Stan Rawlinson July 2003   It's important to understand that a dog experiencing fear, stress, or anxiety is incapable of learning new things.

As an expert witness under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act in UK law courts, I get to assess, treat and see more cases of aggression than anything else. “Aggressive” is definitely not a word I would use to describe her in general. Reward-based obedience training can help however this is only any use if the owner/trainer is able to constantly monitor the dog at all times.

At least 30% of all dogs in rescue centres are there because of the incidence of aggression in one form or another. In most cases, you'll use positive reinforcement to teach your dog new behaviors. Rules that your puppy follows not just because you’re holding a treat, but because it recognizes you as the pack leader! When dogs display aggression to strangers or other dogs only on the home,  property, or in close proximity to your house, or yard, yet do not respond aggressively to strangers or other dogs on neutral territory, then territorial aggression is the likely diagnosis. A predatory dog doesn’t growl or show her teeth first to warn her victim, so predatory aggression can seem to come out of the blue.
The complex body language dogs learn at this age is crucial to their later behaviour, when they are approaching unknown dogs. Some pet dogs show classic canine predatory behaviors, including chasing and grabbing fast-moving things. Dogs who were neutered or spayed as adults may still show this type of aggression. This behavior is often considered normal, but some dogs can become excessively aggressive due to learning and genetic factors. Punishment aggression is when a punishment is so harsh that the dog perceives the owner as a threat.

Aggressive dog behavior can have several causes and patterns, but most of them can be controlled with proper training.

and should only be considered in an overall aggression reduction program by an expert in this field Unfortunately, TV shows like the dog whisperer tend to show that aggression is all dominance and Alpha based.

Pet dogs may show the same type of aggressive behavior when they think that one of their family members or friends (human or animal) is in peril. Talk to your veterinarian to determine whether this is the case with your dog. This interdog and human socialisation should continue throughout the dog's whole life. Human hands intervening may not be seen as a hand but as another element of the original attack. A veterinary behaviorist and a professional trainer can help you fix aggressive dog behavior. Talk to your veterinarian about your options. I have covered fully in (2) Bowl or Food Guarding “and  (3) Possession Aggression Resource Guarding in previous articles in Dogs Monthly (one of the numerous magazines I have written articles for), (1) Fear / Nervous Aggression (Interdog) Aggression toward unfamiliar dogs is also widespread. Dogs are a social species. Predatory aggression occurs when your dog follows his natural predatory instincts. One of the key factors that distinguish predatory aggression from other forms of aggression is that movement often is the triggers. I have seen dogs attack their owner or a second dog in the home because it cannot get to the person at the door. Punishment may also lead to your dog biting someone else without warning. This is an absolute must if the behaviour suddenly appears without any apparent cause or reason.
There’s always risk when dealing with an aggressive dog. This is only a part of the different types of aggression, because of the constraints of space it can only be a fleeting reference. It sees the dog approaching and reacts accordingly. The picture above is one with my litter of pups born good Friday I had over 200 people including children dogs and older people coming and handling all my puppies before they were 7 weeks of age. Some studies report that as many as 60 to 70% of all pet dogs bark threateningly at strangers and act unfriendly when around them. Allowing the dog to mate with other dogs can often be recommended by the amateur dog expert, this would normally make the problem increase rather than decrease. The most common types of dog aggression include. This is especially the case where they know the people or the dogs that they are trying to interact with. It will take time, consistency, and possibly the help of a professional. It’s slightly more common in adults than in puppies simply because dogs need to have some confidence to use this defensive strategy, and puppies are usually less confident than adults.

She has written more than 100 articles on dogs. The relationships between people and dogs who live together are certainly more complex than this simplified description, but it’s still important to know that a dog who perceives herself as high in status may show aggression toward family members. Dogs that aren't normally aggressive but suddenly develop aggressive behaviors might have an underlying medical problem.

The hormones removed by neutering are a confidence booster and serotonin uplifters. Please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help, to learn how to find a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB), a veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB) or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) in your area. I cover this at the end of this article. Health problems that may cause aggression include hypothyroidism, painful injuries, and neurological problems such as encephalitis, epilepsy, and brain tumors.