How to Tell the Difference Between Dog Play and Aggression
Dogs love to play, and it’s a great way for them to explore the world and learn how to socialize with other animals and people. Roughhousing is just part of the fun and in most cases, it’s completely healthy, safe and harmless. However, sometimes it can become dangerous if a pup takes it too far. It’s totally normal for dogs to play-bite, bark, chase, swipe, and lunge, as long as it’s in a gentle and friendly manner. But sometimes growling, biting, jumping, barking, etc. can shift from playful to aggressive. To prevent you or your dog from getting injured, it’s extremely important to be able to identify the signs of aggressive behavior.
What Influences Aggressive Behavior?
- Learned behavior – if a dog displays aggression and the thing they were scared of goes away, the behavior may have been reinforced and will most likely to happen again.
- Social Development – dogs who were isolated growing up are more likely to show aggression than dogs who were well-socialized.
- Stress and fear – dogs are more likely to show aggression when they are under stress or are scared.
- Hormones – elevated levels of testosterone may manifest as aggression in dogs. Females in breeding season or with litters may demonstrate more aggression.
Signs of Aggression:
Aggressive play can appear in a variety of different ways. Just because a dog displays some aggressive behavior, does not mean they should be labeled an aggressive dog. There are actually aggressive displays that are appropriate for some situations. For example, a mother pup growling at her puppy for pulling on her tail is appropriate aggression. However, if she bit and hurt the puppy, it would not be appropriate. It’s important to be able to tell the difference and recognize when you need to intervene to prevent this behavior from escalating.
When dogs play, it often takes the form of play fighting, play biting and wrestling. Although it can be fun and harmless, sometimes this can intensify into unsafe and serious scraps if you do not observe your dog closely. If you encounter an aggressive moment between dogs, it’s often not enough to let them work it out on their own. It’s better to keep the pups safe and intervene, rather than letting the dogs continue to engage in a potentially dangerous situation. It’s also important to remember redirected aggression can occur. When a dog displays aggression, although it may be directed at another animal, they can become frustrated and redirect their hostility towards you, another animal, or another person nearby.
When to Intervene:
To prevent playing turning into fighting, it’s important to watch carefully for stress signals and warning signals. Some of the most common warning signals are:
- Stiffness – when a dog becomes tense and stressed, they usually appear rigid and stand in a stiff-legged stance. Their face is another indicator, so look for muscles tightening or furrowed brows.
- Freezing – when a dog becomes tense or rigid, they may enter a state of nervousness and freeze up.
- Direct stare – another indicator of a stressed pup is when they intently focus on another dog without blinking or engage in excessive and aggressive stalking.
- Snarling – often ignored by humans, tiny muzzle movements associated with a lip snarl may be an indicator of an uncomfortable dog. Dogs will often lift their lip in a snarl before they growl or snap.
- Growling – Sometimes dogs will growl during play, but these growls are accompanied with loose, relaxed body language. When growling is followed by any of the above behaviors, or is a deep and low, it may be a sign of aggressive behavior that needs to be addressed.
How to Prevent Aggressive Behavior:
To discourage aggressive behavior from your four-legged friend, introduce a solid training program and good socialization into their schedule. There are some basic steps that can be taken to decrease this behavior:
- Socialize your dog early – schedule play dates with other puppies and well-mannered adult dogs who can teach your puppy to behave.
- Neuter or spay your dog – do this as early as possible, as it can help reduce hormone-driven aggression.
- Use positive reinforcement – treat your dog kindly and never intimidate or physically correct your pup.
- Supervise your dog at all times – don’t leave dogs unattended where they can adopt inappropriate behaviors.
While aggressive behavior is treatable with the help of professional trainers and lots of vigilance, it’s easier to prevent this behavior rather than correct it. By encouraging positive socialization, watching your dog closely, and understanding aggressive signals, you’ll be able to keep your pup safe and happy.
Don’t have time to give your dog their required amount of socialization and attention? With Dogtopia’s doggie daycare, we ensure your pup gets proper socialization and ample play time with other dogs and humans. Playrooms are grouped by size, personality and play style to make sure your dog remains happy, safe and comfortable during their time with us. Contact a Dogtopia daycare center near you to learn more!
