Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

Is your dog aggressive toward you? It might be your own fault

Debbie Clason
By

In today’s tumultuous society, having a guard dog can be a comfort. Without question, it’s nice to own a live-in protector who not only announces when strangers are at the door but also makes it clear he won’t tolerate any funny business from those outside the immediate family.

But what happens when that same protector becomes aggressive toward members of the family? Whether your dog has always been a bit moody, or the behavior comes on suddenly growling, barking, snarling, and lunging — even biting — can cause emotional as well as physical harm to other pets or humans living in your household and must be addressed. Here’s why some dogs are aggressive toward their owners and what you can do about it.

small dog baring teeth and human hands
Piotr Wawrzyniuk / Shutterstock

What might be causing the aggression?

There are a variety of reasons why your dog may be displaying aggressive behavior toward you or other family members.

Recommended Videos

Fear. Dogs who feel threatened may exhibit aggressive behavior as a form of self-defense, especially if the aggression has been successful in preventing scary situations. If your dog is fearful, refrain from punishing him when he is aggressive. Doing so will only make him more fearful. Instead, learn your dog’s body language so you can remove him from the situation before it occurs. Work on basic obedience skills so you can redirect your pup in a positive manner. And ask your veterinarian to recommend supplements that may help reduce his fear or anxiety.

Illness. If your dog suddenly becomes aggressive or moody without warning, it might signal an underlying medical condition that needs to be addressed. Older dogs especially can suffer from a variety of diseases, including joint pain and cancer, that cause significant pain. Depending on the diagnosis, your veterinarian may prescribe anti-inflammatories or pain relievers to help alleviate the symptoms. Knowing the diagnosis will also help family members understand the reason for your pet’s discomfort so they can change their interactions with him accordingly.

Neglect. Some neglected dogs react aggressively toward people or animals, especially when food is involved, they perceive they are being threatened, or their abuser is nearby. Speaking in a calm voice and establishing safe places in your home where they can feel safe are important steps in dealing with aggressive behavior in an abused dog.

Improper discipline. Dogs who have been disciplined with yelling, leash yanking, and other forms of physical punishment can become fearful and, as a result, develop aggressive behavior.

brown dog guarding bone
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Can the aggressive behavior be changed?

Possibly. It really depends on why your dog is acting aggressively in the first place, the severity of the aggression, and what steps you’re willing to take to keep the dog as a family member. Changing this behavior will take time and patience and may include a mixture of the following methods.

Behavior therapy. Your veterinarian may recommend seeking help from a dog behaviorist, who has specialized training in canine conduct. These college-educated professionals can assess why your dog is behaving aggressively and suggest ways in which you can change the behavior.

Medication. Dogs who are exhibiting aggressive behavior because of a medical condition, such as cancer, osteoarthritis, or anxiety, may benefit from medications designed to treat their symptoms.

Exercise. Dogs who don’t get a daily dose of mental and physical exercise might expend their pent-up energy in a negative, aggressive manner. As a general rule, most healthy adult dogs need a minimum of 30 minutes to two hours of activity each day. Talk with your veterinarian about the amount of exercise that’s best for your dog. Consider investing in some puzzle toys that stimulate your dog’s mind, too.

Where to go from here

The first place to start is to consult your veterinarian. They will examine your pet thoroughly to determine whether there are any underlying medical conditions that might be causing the problem and if so, prescribe a course of treatment. If your pup is given a clean bill of health, your vet might recommend working with a dog behaviorist to determine the cause of your dog’s aggression.

If your dog has become a beloved member of the family, as they do in most, it’s understandably difficult to bear the thought of rehoming or euthanizing him. Realize that changing his aggressive behavior will take a long time — possibly years — with no guarantee that he’ll ever be completely reformed. With patience and proper guidance, however, you can manage the situation to ensure the welfare of your pet as well as those who live with him.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Debbie Clason
Debbie Clason
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Debbie Clason's work has appeared in Family Life Magazine, Sports Illustrated, The Lutheran Witness, Massage Magazine…
Can dogs eat strawberries? Everything you need to know
Yes, you can feed strawberries to Fido. Here's how
A brown and white dog eats a strawberry off a fork

Sharing food with our dogs is one of the most fun parts of pet ownership. But animals can't always eat the same stuff as humans (and we certainly don't want to chew on their chow, either). It's important to keep a restriction list in mind when you go to get your buddy a snack from the kitchen. Pups shouldn't eat everything in our pantry, but can dogs eat strawberries? The answer is: Yes, they can and will enjoy them. We'll walk you through how to feed strawberries to dogs and what other fruits they can gnaw on.
Are strawberries toxic for dogs?
No, not at all, and in fact, many dogs love strawberries. Like so many other fruits, strawberries have a lot of nutrients and tons of water, making them a good and reasonably low-calorie snack. However, the drawback is that they're very sweet. That's probably half the reason that Fido likes them!

Because of their high sugar content, though, you should limit how many strawberries — or any berries — you give your pooch per day. The exact number you give depends on the size of your pup pup, with the littlest breeds only needing one per day. A large beastie can have as many as four, and you should scale up or down for all sizes in between.
How should I prepare strawberries for my dog?
Before passing this treat to your animal, make sure to remove the green bits, though a tiny bit of leftover leaf won't hurt. The biggest issue with this fruit is the size — strawberries are a choking hazard. If you have a little guy that takes big bites, you'll want to chop these up small first before doling them out. Lastly, remember that we're talking about fresh strawberries, not canned or jammed or anything like that.
What fruits are not good for dogs?
You should certainly make your buddy avoid all the fruits you don't eat either like red berries he might find growing in the wild. However, the biggest fruits your dog can never eat are grapes and raisins. Science hasn't quite figured out why, but these delectables don't do well for our hounds, and even just one grape can turn deadly. Lastly, stay away from the following just to be safe: green tomatoes, cherries, limes, lemons, and avocado (technically a fruit and bad for dogs in large quantities).

Read more
What is littermate syndrome? Why this puppy bond can be a problem
Why you want to avoid littermate syndrome (and what to do if you didn't)
Golden retriever puppies

What's better than bringing one puppy home? Two — or so you might think. Welcoming two puppies at the same time can seem adorable in theory, especially if they're from the same litter. The two puppies already knew one another and were perhaps born within seconds of one another. Siblings growing up together, what could be more fun?

However, most animal behavioral experts recommend against getting two puppies on the same day (or within six months). They're not trying to rain on your puppy parade. Instead, experts warn against the possibility of littermate syndrome. What is littermate syndrome, and why can it be so stressful? Let's discuss. We'll also work through ways to treat littermate syndrome if your pets already have the issue.
What is littermate syndrome?

Read more
The best medium-sized dog breeds for your family
These dogs are the perfect size — and temperament — for families with kids
An English springer spaniel's side profile standing next to tall grass

Whether you're a veteran dog owner or are new to the canine world, it can be immensely helpful to do your research before adopting the dog of your dreams. After all, step one is to figure out what your ideal four-legged friend might be like.
Will they cuddle up with you at the end of the day, or will they sleep in a dog bed all their own? Would you like a high-energy friend or a canine buddy that can binge-watch your favorite Netflix show at all hours of the day with you? Perhaps even more importantly, what size dog can you handle in your home?
Medium-sized dogs are a perfect fit for those who may want the activity of a larger dog without the massive size. Many families prefer mid-sized canines because they're large enough to play with children without getting hurt, but they're not too large to spook or knock over a child (most of the time, anyway). There can be many reasons why a medium-sized dog breed is your perfect fit, but how do you know what breed to look into? Let us help you decide.

Medium-sized dogs for families with children

Read more