No one wants to admit that they have an aggressive and potentially dangerous dog, but there are many dogs out there that show signs of aggression, even those that are well-cared for by a loving family. An aggressive dog isn’t necessarily a mean dog, but it’s important to be aware of how aggressive dogs should …
No one wants to admit that they have an aggressive and potentially dangerous dog, but there are many dogs out there that show signs of aggression, even those that are well-cared for by a loving family. An aggressive dog isn’t necessarily a mean dog, but it’s important to be aware of how aggressive dogs should be handled so dog bite accidents in Oklahoma can be avoided. Too often, serious dog bite injuries occur in Oklahoma because an aggressive dog was not properly dealt with, but by educating themselves on what may be causing the aggression and taking steps to change the behavior, dog owners in Oklahoma City can reduce the risk of their pet being involved in a dog bite accident. If you have suffered injuries in a dog bite accident in Oklahoma, contact our experienced dog bite accident attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center today.
Major Signs of Aggression in Dogs and Possible Causes
There are a number of ways in which dogs can show aggression, including baring their teeth, growling, snarling, and sometimes even biting. When your dog exhibits this type of behavior, your first reaction will likely be to punish the dog. However, it’s important to understand that aggression doesn’t necessarily indicate a mean or bad dog; a dog may exhibit aggressive behavior for a number of reasons, including injury, mistreatment, illness or even mistrust. For example, perhaps your dog is displaying aggressive behavior against a neighbor because that neighbor has mistreated your dog in the past, in which case mistrust may be a huge factor. If your dog begins showing signs of aggressive behavior, take him to a veterinarian first to rule out any illness or injury that may not be immediately apparent to you. In addition to injury or illness, a dog may also display aggressive behavior as a sign of fear, dominance, maternal protection, possessiveness, territoriality, or possibly even jealousy.
Steps to Take in Preventing Aggressive Behavior in Dogs
Until the issue of aggression is resolved, there are steps you can can to avoid situations that spur your dog’s aggressive behavior:
- Spay or neuter your dog, as intact dogs are more prone to aggression
- If your dog is possessive of his food or toys or is territorial of certain locations, prevent access
- If your dog exhibits signs of aggression, especially towards other dogs, don’t allow him or her around other dogs
One of the most important things to remember is not to punish your dog for aggressive behavior, and never hit him, as punishment can just make the problem worse. Punishing or hitting a possessive, protective, territorial or fearful dog can prompt additional defensive aggression. Getting your dog the treatment he needs instead is a more effective solution for you, your dog and anyone around your dog. Unfortunately, aggression in dogs does sometimes lead to dog bite accidents and injuries. If you have been involved in a serious dog bite accident in Oklahoma, consult our dog bite accident lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center to discuss your legal options.