Pit bulls, rottweilers and German shepherds are all breeds of dogs that are stereotyped as being naturally “aggressive” or “hostile,” but this is not necessarily true. Dogs are not naturally aggressive. Their aggression is rather the result of other contributing factors that are unrelated to their breed, like socialization, exposure, emotion and age.
Socialization is a very important factor in determining how aggressive a dog will be as they grow older. This also allows for them to get the necessary exercise they need to live a happy and healthy life. It is not the dog’s fault that they are not able to socialize. It is ultimately the owner’s responsibility to take care of their dog and to make sure they are exposed to other people and animals. Owners that do not allow their animals to properly interact with others are simply not taking care of their dog correctly, according to longwoodvetcenter.com.
Dogs who are allowed to be exposed to people and animals have a significantly reduced chance of being aggressive in the future. This is because they are more familiar with animals and people if they can see and interact with them. As a general rule, any animal that is afraid is more likely to lash out at something that is either causing this fear or is simply nearby, and dogs are not exempt from this rule. Dogs that are afraid would not think normally and are therefore basing their decisions on fear rather than rationality. The owner of the dog should try to do their best to help either avoid their fear if possible, or try to help them overcome that fear. It is not the dog’s fault that they are afraid in the same way that it is not a child’s fault of being scared of the dark, according to longwoodvetcenter.com.
A dog is more likely to act aggressively if they are afraid, especially towards whatever is causing them this fear. When compared to a dog that is calm, a fearful dog is five times more likely to be aggressive, according to akc.org.
Age also plays a pivotal role in the aggressiveness of a dog due to the negative impacts that it can have on the dogs well being. Their senses can start to worsen and could eventually become completely blind or deaf as they become older. Age is something that happens to any animal and can have major impacts. With age, a dog’s health begins to worsen and their senses can become impaired. It is the owners responsibility to accommodate for a dog’s health issues and to make sure that they have what they need in their old age, according to drsallyjfoote.com.
Older dogs are far more likely to become aggressive because of the pain and disease that come from old age. The impaired senses that come from a dog’s old age can make the appearance of humans sudden and frightening, according to akc.org.
Different breeds of dogs were bred to complete different jobs. This means that dogs that were bred to be guard dogs such as German shepherds and rottweilers are more likely to be territorial or protective of a certain area or people, according to hermitageanimalclinic.com.
This does not mean that they are necessarily aggressive, but are just wanting to do their job by protecting their home or the people they like. They are not being aggressive for no reason; they are instead trying to keep people and animals away that they find threatening. This is an instinct that most dogs have and with varying levels of severity depending on the breed of the dog, but this does not inherently mean aggression.
It is not correct to base the aggression of one dog on its breed. The better way to tell if a dog is aggressive is their behavior, whether that be hostile or peaceful. It is better to judge a dog as an individual based on their previous history rather than just their breed, according to aspca.org.
The solution to a dog’s aggression can be found through training and exposure. Training is a great way to help manage a dog’s aggression, and it does not have to be expensive. Training your dog can be as simple as teaching them to sit or stay at home. Once they can perform the tricks at home, it is best to teach them in a public area as well so that they can stay or sit when there are distractions.
Exposing your dog to new people and animals is very simple. Taking them on a walk once or twice a week will not only get them used to seeing other animals and people, but it will also get them exercise as well. As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your dog gets the proper socialization and exercise that it needs to be happy and healthy.
Different breeds of dogs require different environments depending on their level of activity as well as size. Someone who lives in a one bedroom apartment should not have a giant dog in the same way that a nonactive person should not have an overly energetic dog. People should pick the dog that best suits their level of activity and house size. Overly energetic dogs will find other means of letting out energy, even if that is chewing up the couch. It is not the dog’s fault that they are not able to get out their energy. It is the owner’s responsibility to take care of the dog before these behaviors ensue.
Dogs are very complex animals, and saying a breed is aggressive not only paints the breed in poor light, but also makes people hesitant to adopt them. A dog’s level of aggressiveness is not determined by their breed, but rather by their own traits as an individual rather than as a group.
