How to Learn the Warning Signs of Your Dog's Aggressive Behavior

There are many misconceptions on certain dog breeds such as Pit Bull Terriers being "naturally aggressi.". Many say that its all in how the dog is raised and others say it doesn't matter how the dogs are raised. I say that every dog should be treated as an individual dog and not put in a doggy "classification" by breed.

However I do believe that every dog, whether it be a Golden Retriever or a Pit Bull Terrier, has a potential to become aggressive in the right situation. So that is why you should know your dog and learn the warning signs of aggressive behavior and address those warning signs as soon as they arise. One way of learning the warning signs of aggressive behavior is by paying attention to your dog's body language.

But first lets recognize the good behavior in our dogs, the behavior that help make these dogs such wonderful creatures to be around. Such examples of "Good Behavior" body language are:

Ears up and rotated back; Tail Wagging; A "playful" grin; Play bows; Pawing or paw raises: The overall appearance of the dog should be loose, relaxed and happy.

Often we find ourselves as dog owners wanting to show off our pets to family, friends and often strangers. Before we engage our dogs with other people or even other dogs, we need to be able to spot some of the warning signs that our dogs give us, if they are upset. Examples of an "Angry or Agitated" dog are the exact opposite. Some examples are:

Standing stiff and taut; Sometimes looking like the dog is on his toes: The tail may be held erect at the base near the spin with little or no wag; Intense stare; Ears alert and very forward; Low growling or snarling; Hair raised down the back of neck and spine.

Examples of a "Fearful or Uncomfortable" dog are:

Tucking of the tail; Hiding behind the owner; Lowering profile/head and then looking up; Unusual increase of yawning; Looking away- or even a strong stare; The dog will often try to "get away".

These are some of the warning signs that we need to address with our dog. If you spot these warning signs with your dog, remove him from the situation and address the behavior. If we pay more attention to our dogs body language we may prevent any unwanted tragedy from taking place.

If you fear that your dog has some behavior problems please don't hesitate to take your dog to a trainer. Trainers are very good at helping you as an owner understand your dog. And they are able to help your dog refrain from the "bad" behavior.