- Sit & Stay
- Posts
- Does fear aggression control your dog’s (or your) life?
Does fear aggression control your dog’s (or your) life?
We’ve talked about anxiety caused by fear – but what happens when fear results in aggression?
In this Issue
😱 Fear Aggression in Dogs
💡 Sit & Stay Pro Tip
👨🏻⚕️ Dog food recalls — none this week!
📝 Polls
😊The Smile Section
👩⚕️Vet Recommendations
🍫 Treats
Aggression comes up often in the Sit & Stay articles, and there are several good reasons for that:
Aggression is one of the top reasons for dog rehoming.
It’s the number one reason for behavioral euthanasia.
Often, it’s a treatable behavior problem – owners just don’t know it.
Aggression is a nuanced behavior that many mistake for a personality trait. It has several causes and rears its ugly head in a number of ways. Fear is one of these causes.
We always recommend seeking the help of a professional trainer when dealing with a severe problem like canine aggression. Each dog, environment, and trigger is unique, so your dog needs a unique and professional training plan.
However, you can take steps to combat fear aggression while waiting to meet with a trainer.
How is fear aggression different from other forms of canine aggression?
As the ASPCA explains, fear aggression differs from other aggression types because of the cause and reaction. While territorial, human, and animal aggression are characterized by a dog standing his ground, dogs with fear aggression want to get away.
They’re in fight or flight mode, and they want to fly.
Fear aggression looks like
Sit & Stay Pro Tips — How to Mitigate Your Dog’s Fear Aggression
If your dog is trying to create space between them and their trigger, let them. Remove your pup from the situation. Always keep them on a leash to pull them away in case of an outside trigger, like another dog. If the issue is you or another person, back away – but don’t turn your back on them.
Don’t punish your dog. You’ll only reinforce the idea that whatever is scaring them means something bad will happen.
Look for signs (like lip licking and whining or growling) that your dog is beginning to feel overwhelmed. Carry treats to reward your dog for calm behavior.
Desensitize them. Exposing your dog to his triggers in a controlled environment can be effective, but it’s best to consult a professional.
Dog Food and Supplement Recalls
No new recalls announced! 🥳
Poll Results
We asked, and you answered! Most of you have a dog that deals with anxiety, if only occasionally
Poll
The Smile Section
Vet Recommendations — Stop fear aggression before it starts.
Although you don’t always have a say in your dog’s past, you can sometimes take steps to prevent fear aggression. When raising a puppy, socialize them from a young age and expose them to various stimuli.
Learn more about treating and preventing fear aggression by reading this Veterinary Partner article.
Treats
🐺 There’s a new breed on the block: One woman in Palm Bay, FL is developing the Blue Bay Shepherd which is bred to look like a blue wolf and it’s unclear what breeds have been brought together to create this “breed.”
🏄 World dog surfing competition: Catch the highlights of these dogs shredding it in the World Dog Surfing Championship in Pacifica, CA.
👶 Lost Toddler - This 2-year-old was found lost in the woods surrounded by her loyal dogs.
Want your dog to be featured?
We’d love to!
Think your dog can make us smile? Submit a pic to [email protected] for a chance to see your pet in our Smile Section!