Why has my dog started getting aggressive with other dogs

During the wonderful time with dogs, every move they make touches our heartstrings. However, when one day we discover that our once gentle and adorable dog suddenly begins to show aggression towards other dogs, it undoubtedly leaves us confused, worried, and even a bit at a loss. What is the reason behind such a significant change in the behavior of dogs?

Dogs' behavior is deeply influenced by their socialization experiences during their growth process. If a dog does not have sufficient opportunities to interact and interact with other dogs during its puppy stage, it may feel fearful or uneasy towards unfamiliar peers, leading to aggression. In the cognition of dogs, unfamiliarity means unknowns, and unknowns often come with potential dangers. Like a person who has never seen the sea before, facing the turbulent waves for the first time, it is inevitable to feel fearful. The puppy stage is a crucial stage for dogs' socialization. During this period, they are like a blank sheet of paper and need to communicate with different dogs to learn how to get along, express friendliness, and interpret the body language of other dogs. If this stage is missed, when the dog grows up and encounters other dogs, it may not know how to respond and can only use seemingly tough attacks to conceal its inner anxiety.

Territorial awareness is also an important factor in dogs developing aggression towards other dogs. Dogs are born with a strong sense of territoriality, and they consider their living space, such as home, yard where they often play, and even their owner's side, as their own territory. When other dogs enter its designated territory, the dog will feel that its safety and resources are threatened, and in order to defend its territorial sovereignty, it will not hesitate to launch attacks. Imagine if we were in our own homes and suddenly received an unexpected guest, would we also have an instinctive sense of vigilance? Dogs are no exception. For example, when a stranger dog enters the house, their own dog may immediately rush to the door, bark loudly at the other person, trying to drive away the "intruder"; In the park, if a dog regards a specific area as its "exclusive territory", it may become extremely fierce once other dogs step in.

Fear and anxiety can also drive dogs to exhibit aggression towards other dogs. Some dogs have sensitive personalities or have had experiences of being bullied or hurt by other dogs, which can leave a shadow in their hearts and cause them to be constantly on guard when facing other dogs. Once a dog feels threatened, even if it's just a casual glance or movement from the other person, it may instinctively launch an attack out of self-defense. Just like a person who has been robbed in a dark alley before, they will be extra careful when passing through similar places again. Any slight disturbance will make them nervous.

Competitive psychology may also trigger aggressive behavior from dogs towards other dogs. In the world of dogs, resources are limited, and food, toys, and the owner's attention can all become objects of competition for them. When two dogs love a toy at the same time or both crave the owner's touch, competition inevitably arises. In order to win in competition, dogs may exhibit aggression towards other dogs.

Health issues cannot be ignored either. When dogs feel unwell, such as suffering from painful illnesses like arthritis, dental problems, or being in a sick state, their physical discomfort can make them irritable and irritable, greatly reducing their tolerance for other dogs. At this point, even a casual touch from a close friend can trigger aggressive behavior from the dog. Just like when we humans are sick, our mood can also become bad, and we can easily get angry over small things.

If it is due to territorial awareness, we need to clarify the scope of the dog's territory, avoid allowing other dogs to enter at will, and also train the dog to learn to accept other dogs' brief stays in their own territory. For dogs who exhibit aggressive behavior due to fear and anxiety, we should provide them with more comfort and companionship to help them overcome their inner fears. If the attack is caused by competitive psychology, we can allocate resources reasonably when interacting with dogs to avoid competition. If a dog's aggressive behavior is severe and cannot be improved through our own efforts, it is necessary to seek the help of a professional pet behavior expert or veterinarian. They can develop more targeted training plans and treatment methods based on the specific situation of the dog.

Dogs develop aggression towards other dogs for complex reasons. As the closest companion of dogs, we have a responsibility to understand the motives behind their behavior, use patience and love to help them correct such bad behavior, so that dogs can learn to coexist harmoniously with other dogs and enjoy a happy social life again. After all, dogs accompany us throughout their lives, giving us unconditional love and loyalty. We should also do our best to create a safe, harmonious, and happy living environment for them.