It is important to understand your dog’s body language. It is to be able to recognize signs of aggression in dogs so that you can avoid potentially dangerous situations. Here are some common signs of aggression that you should learn to recognize:
Growling: This is a clear sign that a dog is unhappy and may be preparing to bite.
Barking: Barking can be a sign of aggression, especially if the dog is barking in a low and deep tone.
Showing teeth: When a dog shows its teeth, it is a clear warning sign that it is feeling threatened and may bite.
Stiff body language: A dog that is feeling aggressive may have a stiff body and stand tall with its ears pinned back.
Raised fur: Raised fur on a dog’s back is a sign that it is feeling threatened or aggressive.
Snapping: A dog that snaps at a person is a clear warning sign that it is feeling threatened and may be preparing to bite.
Lunging: When a dog lunges forward, it is a clear sign that it is feeling aggressive and may be preparing to attack.
If you see any of these signs in a dog, one should stay away from approaching the dog. If children recognize these signs they should also tell an adult immediately. It’s important to remember that not all dogs are friendly, and even a normally well-behaved dog can become aggressive if it feels threatened or scared. By teaching children to recognize signs of aggression in dogs, you can help them avoid potentially dangerous situations and stay safe.
The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a breed of dog that has been controversial for many years due to its perceived aggressive tendencies. However, it is important to note that aggression in dogs is not solely determined by breed, but rather by individual temperament, socialization, and training.
That being said, the APBT was originally bred for dogfighting, which required a high level of aggression towards other dogs. This history has contributed to the breed’s reputation for being aggressive, but it does not mean that all APBTs are aggressive.
One factor that can contribute to aggression in APBTs is improper socialization. It is important to expose them to a variety of people, animals, and situations from a young age so that they can learn to interact appropriately with others. Without proper socialization, an APBT may become fearful or aggressive towards unfamiliar people or animals.
Another factor that can contribute to aggression in APBTs is inadequate training or harsh training methods. Positive reinforcement training methods, which reward good behavior rather than punishing bad behavior, have been shown to be more effective and humane in reducing aggressive tendencies in dogs.
It is also important to note that many APBTs can make excellent family pets when properly socialized and trained. Like any breed of dog, they require responsible ownership, including regular exercise, veterinary care, and training.
In summary, while the American Pit Bull Terrier may have a history of being bred for dogfighting, it is important to recognize that aggression in dogs is not solely determined by breed. Proper socialization, training, and responsible ownership can go a long way in reducing aggressive tendencies in any breed of dog.
What are Fear Periods in Dogs?
Why is my dog suddenly scared of strangers?
This is often a question asked from dog owners who have pretty much owned a dog who cared less about being approached by a friendly stranger and now is cowering between the owner’s legs. By assessing the situation and asking several questions, strong emphasis must be placed on the dog’s age.
Why is that?
Not many dog owners are aware of the fact that dogs undergo fear periods during their developmental stages. During these distinct periods dogs may gradually become more and more fearful of situations they once appeared to be accepting of. The fear may be manifested by overly cautious behaviors, where the puppy or dog approaches people or items tentatively or defensive behaviors involving barking / lunging / growling. In some cases, dogs may act bold towards certain stimuli and uncertain with others. However, it is important to note that dogs can become fearful of specific things at any age and no generalizations can be made. Let’s take a look at these fear periods and see how they affect man’s best friend.
8-10 Weeks. According to Meghan E. Herron, veterinarian and Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, this first fear period takes place between the ages of 8 to 10 weeks. During this time, the puppy is very sensitive to traumatic experiences and a single scary event may be enough to traumatize the puppy and have life-long effects on his future behaviors. The fear can be of a person, dog or object. A fear period is therefore a stage during which the puppy or dog may be more apt to perceive certain stimuli threatening. In nature, during this time, puppies are getting out of the den and starting to explore the world around them. This is when puppies would learn under the guidance of their mom, which stimuli are threatening and non-threatening for the purpose of survival. At this stage, once they are fully mobile and outdoors, a lack of caution may cause them to easily get killed, explains Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Patricia McConnell, in her book “For the Love of a Dog”. Coincidentally, in a domestic setting, this fear period coincides with the time most puppies are separated from their litter mates and moms and are sent to new homes. Some breeders feel that their puppies are better off adopted at a later age. This is why some decide to sell puppies at 12 weeks. Adapted from original blogpost by Adrienne Janet Farricelli, 3/2018. During the first fear period therefore it is important to avoid exposing the puppy to traumatic experiences. Shipping the puppy or allowing the puppy to undergo elective surgeries at this time is not recommended. Veterinarian visits and car visits should be made fun and upbeat. Stimuli and experiences puppies may find as frightening include but are not limited to: vaccines, cold examination tables, taking rectal temperatures, placing puppy on scale, nail trims and being handled by strangers.
How to Make Things Better:
6 to 14 Months. While the 8 to 12 week puppy fear period is in some cases hardly noticed by puppy owners, the second fear period appears to have a much bigger impact. ‘Rover’ has grown now and if he is a large breed he may even weigh 45 kgs or more! This fear period is believed to be tied to the dog’s sexual maturity and growth spurts. This means that in large breeds it may develop later compared to a smaller dog. Often, this stage is also known as “teenage flakiness” according Ellen Dodge in her article “Critical Periods in Canine Development” published in the Weimaraner Magazine. October. 1989. In the wild, dogs at this age are allowed to go on hunts with the rest of the pack. At this stage, it is important for them to learn to stick with the pack for safety, but they also need to learn about fear since they need fear for survival purposes. The message to the puppy is to run away if something unfamiliar approaches them, explain Wendy and Jack Volhard in the book Dog Training for Dummies. Reactivity levels rise during this stage causing the dog to act defensively, become protective and more territorial. Owners often report the fear seems to pop out of nowhere. Dogs appear fearful of novel stimuli or stimuli met before but that did not trigger significant reactions. As in the first fear period, it is best to avoid traumatic experiences during this time such as shipping dogs on a plane and any other overwhelming experience. Because at this stage the owner may be dealing with a dog barking and lunging and pulling on the leash, this fear period has a bigger impact, causing the owner to worry about the dog’s behavior.
How to Make Things Better:
Is There a Third Fear Period? Clarence Pfaffenberger,” author of The New Knowledge Of Dog Behavior ” suggests there is a third fear period taking place in early adulthood. During this time, the level of aggression may increase and the dog may appear more protective and territorial. Episodes of teenage flakiness may still occur. Some believe there may even be a fourth period as the dog reaches early adulthood, but I couldn’t find reliable literature on that.
These tips will come handy to help you deal with your pampered pooch’s fear periods. However, they also work for dogs who are fearful in general. While they are effective, keep in mind that your dog’s tendency for being fearful may be the work of genetics rather than a temporary problem resulting from a fear stage.
Following are some tips to help your puppy or dog get through these frightening fear periods:
While behaviorists have studied fear periods for some time, it is important to keep in mind that they may not occur within that exact time frame for each puppy. If your dog is going through a fear period, keep in mind that it is not the end of the world. With guidance, desensitization and counter conditioning, your puppy or dog should recover nicely with time.
When one considers the numbers of APBT dogs with behavioral problems including aggression and unruly behavior we ask our self? Where did it go wrong?
Dog’s that has bitten or mauled a person:
What is even more disturbing is that the vast majority of these attacks are by family pet dogs!! In their own home! Most of these incidents could have been avoided and prevented and it could be said that most, was the owner’s fault.
The kind of relationship, or lack thereof, can also be added to the case. The ignorant owners, whose pet dogs would be more likely to attack are:
All these kinds of dogs are all potential “attack “dogs.
The Pit Bull is a purpose-bred dog. Historically, Pit Bulls were bred as a hunting dog of large game. Later, the Pit Bull served as a farm dog and butcher’s tool for taking down bulls for slaughter. Later still, the dog was bred to fight other dogs for money and entertainment.
This purpose-breeding has given the Pit Bull behavior attributes that may not be desirable to all prospective owners.
The Pit Bull is strong, intelligent and has been bred for a willingness to “test their mettle” against larger animals and other dogs.
It is not uncommon for Pit Bulls to not get along with other dogs; especially dogs of the same sex and dogs that are not neutered or spayed. This by far is not always the case with this breed, but the predisposition for varying levels of dog-aggressive behavior is very much there.
It is important for the potential owner of a Pit Bull to be realistic with their expectations of their new dog, and to be prepared to have a wonderful family dog that may not be able to socialize with other dogs. This is especially true of someone that is adopting or buying a puppy.
A benefit to adopting a young adult or full-grown Pit Bull is that their behavior is more fixed and reliable. Contrary to what many well-intentioned but incorrectly informed new owners think, a Pit Bull’s behavior is not influenced only by how you raise them.
Puppies from the same litter that receive the same love and socialization will range from being completely non dog-aggressive even when provoked or attacked, to dogs that will go out of their way to start a fight with any dog if not restrained. Dog aggression is common with all terriers. It is a trait also held by the Rottweiler, Akita, Malamute, and Doberman.
The Pit Bull does not fully mature until over two years of age. Due to this late maturity, some Pit Bulls that were dog-friendly as puppies will begin to show intolerance of unfamiliar dogs as they get older. This does not mean that the dog cannot play with other dogs, but it may mean that the Pit Bull should stick to dog playmates that it already knows.
In some cases, Pit Bulls that were friendly with other dogs when younger will be unable to be with any dogs later in life. This is not common, but it is something that every responsible Pit Bull owner must consider. Having a Pit Bull neutered or spayed around 6 months of age can greatly reduce the chances of intolerance occurring later in its life.
Although many Pit Bulls get along well with other dogs, it is dangerous to expect all Pit Bulls to do so in all situations. A Pit Bull that is very dog-friendly may seriously injure or kill another dog if a fight is started. Because of this, the best way to keep dogs safe while they play is to take steps to decrease the chances of a fight starting.
It is always a good idea to introduce any dog to a new dog slowly, and on leash. Many people feel that it is best to pick a neutral ground, like a back yard of a house where neither of the dogs live. It is wise to first eliminate things like food bowls and toys that can trigger a fight.
First offering two of the same toy, such as two tennis balls, may reduce possible tension during play. Pit Bulls can play very well with dogs of all breeds and sizes, but it is important to supervise all playtime. Through supervision, the owners can step in if play is too rough or if tension arises, avoiding a possible fight.
It is vital that Pit Bulls be supervised when with other dogs. This is even true for dogs that have grown up together or get along perfectly. After a serious fight, relations between the dogs may never be the same, increasing tension and the chance for more fighting.
If a fight does happen, a Pit Bull can inflict serious damage to another dog very quickly. If a Pit Bull is left at home with another dog, the dogs need to be separated.
Although not always the case, dogs tend to be more relaxed and less prone to aggression when interacting with a dog of the opposite sex. This is a good thing to keep in mind when considering bringing a new dog into a household that already has a family dog.
Many people have great success in having a Pit Bull in a multiple-dog household. Some Pit Bulls will not tolerate other dogs, but more often Pit Bulls enjoy having canine family members. Some people believe that the easiest way to ensure success with having more than one dog in a household is to get them as puppies and raise them together.
This method can work, but it is not always successful. Due to the varying degrees of intolerance for dogs that can be acquired genetically, raising puppies together is not a guarantee for compatibility. Many dogs end up in shelters due to intolerance towards the other family dog as they mature.
A risk must be assessed when brining a Pit Bull puppy home into a house with other dogs, or brining two puppies home together. An owner needs to understand that they may have a situation as the Pit Bull matures where the dogs cannot be together safely. This usually is not the case, however being unprepared for this possibility is not fair to the dogs involved.
When bringing home a Pit Bull puppy, the new owner needs to assume responsibility for the breeds predisposed behavior and make a commitment to keep it safe and happy for its entire life no matter what may arise.
Having puppies of separate sexes, and having them altered before full maturity may decrease some of the chances for aggressive behavior. Making efforts to keep tension and fighting from starting is very important. Feed the dogs separately, even if they seem to share a food bowl without problems.
Be cautious when offering raw meat, bones, and special treats. A good idea is to have the dogs separated at feeding time. While some people resist this idea, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Having duplicates of favorite toys can help eliminate the dogs feeling the need to guard from each other. Interacting with the dogs equally can help keep them from feeling a need to compete for attention.
Activities such as going for walks together, playing ball in the yard, going to the river for a swim, or lying on the couch side by side for petting during a movie are ways to enjoy the dogs together and thus strengthen the bond with the dogs and with the owners.
Socialization while the dogs are young is important as well. Exposing puppies to a variety of situations together in a positive way will help them be confident dogs as they grow up. Dogs that are feeling fearful or insecure are more likely to act aggressively towards each other or other dogs.
Many Pit Bull owners have found success in bringing older Pit Bulls into a home that already has a dog (either Pit Bull or other breed). By doing this the new owner has a general idea of the new Pit Bull’s behavior with other dogs, and knows the behavior of their first dog, as well. There are many success stories from people that adopt through a rescue or animal shelter that have used this method.
Having multiple dogs, taking your Pit Bull around other dogs, introducing new dogs to your dog, should all be handled with caution. Not because your dog is “bad.” You as a responsible owner should know that the genetics of your breed lean toward dog on dog aggression. Keeping your dog and those dogs around your dog safe is your responsibility.
Through responsible ownership, education, and advocacy, we’re building a safer future for pit bulls and the communities they’re part of.
Promoting Responsible Ownership. Protecting the Breed by Educating and Empowering Communities.
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