Fear: This is a major cause of canine aggression. Fear isn’t limited to just the most dangerous dog breeds. When dogs are afraid of something or someone, they act aggressively because they get into fight-or-flight mode. There may be a number of factors that arouse fear in a dog ranging from certain types of people or specific smells to loud noises. Sometimes, dogs also pick up on their owner’s state of mind. If you are angry or fearful, they may respond aggressively as well.
Anxiety: Like humans, dogs can feel anxious when there are a lot of changes happening at home. Even the gentlest dogs may act out aggressively in such situations. Examples of changes that affect dogs include the birth of a baby, a move or a new pet. If your dog is showing signs of such anxiety, it would be a good idea to speak with your vet about anxiety-reducing supplements.
Territorial dominance: When dogs get possessive of people or territorial, it can become a serious safety issue. Professional dog training can help pets learn how to share spaces reducing the threat of a bite or attack.
Frustration: When frustrated, dogs can react with anger or aggression. A dog that is in an enclosure or restrained for extended periods of time could get frustrated because it is unable to get out. If you find your dog is more aggressive after spending a lot of time in an enclosure or the backyard, more walks might help ease that frustration and lower the possibility of aggression.
Hypothyroidism: This is one of the most common medical causes of canine aggression. Hypothyroidism refers to low levels of the thyroid hormone, which could affect mood. Thyroid replacement therapy often works well to relieve aggression in dogs that have low thyroid levels. Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism in dogs include weight gain, lethargy and significant hair loss.
Brain inflammation: This occurs when dogs suffer from encephalitis such as rabies and distemper. When the brain is inflamed due to such infections or diseases, aggression manifests as a neurological reaction to brain inflammation.
Hypoglycemia: This refers to low blood sugar, which could also be another cause for canine aggression. Dogs that have low blood sugar may feel disoriented or strange. When they feel vulnerable, dogs may react with aggression to avoid appearing weak. Hypoglycemia can be diagnosed with a simple blood test.
If at any point you become the victim of a bite, it is important to treat your dog bite injury immediately.
Instinct to dominate: Dogs are pack animals and could show aggression when they attempt to dominate other household members or pets.
Territorialism: This type of aggression may be directed toward other animals or people who are outside the pack, so to speak. This might also manifest in the form of aggression between adult male dogs or adult female dogs as they attempt to dominate and claim each other’s territory.
Predatory instinct: Dogs may also show aggression toward anyone or anything they consider as prey. This might include smaller dogs and in some cases, even young children or infants.
Maternal aggression: A female dog with puppies has fierce maternal instincts to protect her litter. This could result in aggressive behavior as well.
Pain and fear: These are strong stimuli that could result in shows of aggression against the person or thing the dog believes is causing pain or fear.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, it is important that you promptly contact an experienced LA dog bite lawyer. At the Vaziri Law Group Personal Injury Attorneys, we are committed to pursuing justice and maximum compensation for dog bite victims. We have successfully represented children and adults in dog attack cases
California has a strict liability statute when it comes to dog bite cases. This means that dog owners can be held financially liable for the injuries and damages their pets cause. The value or worth of your dog bite case often depends on the nature and extent of your injuries and losses, and the negligence of the dog owner.
There are four main forms of canine aggression:
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