Dog aggression

Dog aggression expressed by dogs is considered to be normal behaviour and various types of aggression are influenced by a dog's environment and genetic predisposition.^[1] Dogs commonly display possessive aggression when defending resources or themselves.^[2]

Canine aggression may be influenced by a dog's age, sex, health and reproductive status.^[3] Canine aggression is one of the most serious behavior problems in animal behavioral medical science.^[4] Aggression in canines is particularly important because a dog's sharp teeth can result in serious injuries,^[4] or even fatalities in the young or frail.

The determinants for each type of aggression are different, but there are specific factors that are common to canine aggression.^[4] The types of aggression include dominance aggression, defensive aggression, predatory aggression and maternal aggression. Aggression in canines may be a self-defense response to a person or animal entering a dog's space,^[5] which may be ritualized aggression, not actual aggression, if the violation includes a threat. Aggressive behavior in scared dogs is typically not true aggression but rather ritualized behavior intended to avoid physical altercation by way of faking aggression^[6] rather than actual aggression, anxiety disorder, diet, gut microbiome or genetic background. Some aggression can be treated through animal behaviour therapy or avoided by proper socialization during puppyhood.