Ah, dogs. our loyal companions, the providers of endless love and joy. But sometimes, even our furry friends can seem to have a bit of a temper. If you’re living in SG and dealing with a dog that seems more Cujo than Lassie, you’re not alone. Let’s dive into the world of dog aggression and what you can do about it.

What is Aggression in Dogs?

First off, the label of “aggressive dog”, is just that: a label.

No dog is aggressive, or submissive, or dominant, or (       insert label here       ).

Your dog may DISPLAY behaviors that can be interpreted as aggressive, dominant, or submissive, but trust me, its not their whole personality, and it says more about how they feel, versus how they actually are.

Aggressive behaviors, such as:

• growling
• barking
• lunging
• snarling
• snapping

are all actually very natural dog behaviors that serve as communication amongst dogs to other dogs, and to us. In layman’s terms, aggression is your dog’s way of saying, “Back off, buddy!” It’s a defensive or offensive reaction to a perceived threat, and it can be directed at humans, other dogs, or even inanimate objects.

We as human’s have put moral angle to it, whereby we’ve deemed these behaviors as aggressive/or bad, but really its a dog’s version of speaking loudly to get their point across.

When Can It Show Up?

Often dogs resort to aggressive behaviors if the people or other dog’s around them haven’t been paying attention to their more subtle signals of discomfort. Its usually when their whisper’s have been ignored, that they resort to the louder, more obvious, aggressive behaviors. Below are some common situations where aggression might show up:

Territorial Aggression:
Fido feels your SG apartment (or the couch) is his castle and guards it fiercely from anyone and everyone.

Fear Aggression:
When a person, object, or place freaks them out they might display aggressive behavior to warn it to stay away.

Frustration Aggression:
When they really want access to something, but can’t get it, it can lead to negative feelings building up and being let out in the form of aggressive behaviors

Resource Guarding:
Similar to Territorial aggression, its when they’ve placed value on an person, object or thing and don’t want to lose it.

Redirected Aggression:
Your dog might be really excited at the dog park or perhaps at home with another dog, and sometimes that excitement tips over into a fight.

What You Should Do

If your dog is showing signs of aggression, don’t panic. Here are some steps you can take to help manage and reduce aggressive behavior:

1. Rule Out Medical Issues: 
   More often than not, aggression is a sign of underlying health problems. A visit to your vet can help rule out any physical issues. This is often the first step I recommend for all my clients.
2. Consult a Professional: 
   Find a certified dog trainer or a veterinary behaviorist. They can provide you with a personalized plan and professional advice on how best to manage your situation
3. Behavioral Modification Training: 
   Working with a professional to implement a positive reinforcement based behavior change plan can help teach your dog better ways to respond to their triggers.
4. Avoid Triggers: 
   If you know certain situations set your dog off, do your best to avoid them while you’re working on training. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a perfectly behaved dog.
5. Learn Dog Body Language: 
   If you can catch your dog’s whispers, they won’t feel the need to shout through their aggressive behaviors. You can get started with my free Dog Body Language Guide here.

Living in a vibrant city like Singapore comes with its own set of challenges for dog owners that can often cause aggressive behaviors to crop up. Our busy work lives, the apartment living, the construction noises, and the heat all pose a challenge, but with patience and the right approach, you can help your furry friend become more comfortable with the world around them.

Sources:

1. [American Kennel Club – Understanding Dog Aggression] (https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/aggression-in-dogs/)
2. [ASPCA – Aggression in Dogs](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/aggression)
3. [PetMD – How to Handle a Dog’s Aggressive Behavior](https://www.petmd.com/dog/behavior/how-handle-dogs-aggressive-behavior)