Territorial Aggression

What is
territorial
aggression

Despite the enormity of responsibility placed on dog owners to maintain the safety of their family and visitors, canine aggression remains a commonproblem and territorial aggression continues to be misunderstood and badly managed.

The steps
of aggression

Aggressive behaviour is
intended to enhance the dog’s
safety; a clear message to
another individual that the dog
is not comfortable and wishes
to increase the distance
between itself and whatever it
is finding threatening.

Walking away

Dog increases the distance
to the threat if possible

Creeping, ears back

Dog uses passive
submissive signalling to
avert the threat

Standing, tail tucked

Dog uses increasingly
submissive signals to avert
the threat

Lying down, leg up

The most extreme
submissive signalling,
making the dog look as
inoffensive as possible

Stiffening up, stare

Actively aggressive
posturing, intended to make
the threat retreat

Growl

Audible indication that the
dog is considering biting
the threat

Snap

A visible, audible last-ditch
attempt by the dog to avoid
physical conflict

Bite

Having exhausted all
other options, the dog
resorts to a physical
attack to defend itself

Cycle of aggression

How and why dogs learn to
be aggressive towards people

Increased threat

The dog feels threatened
by a stranger approaching
its territory

Aggression

The dog responds with aggression
to avert the threat

Decreased threat

The perceived threat decreases
when the stranger leaves

Aggression is rewarded

The dog learns that aggressive
behaviour is a successful strategy
for protecting its territory

Incident of Aggression

The cycle continues until
the dog inadvertently gains
access to the person, for
example when the door is
opened to recieve a parcel.

Managing Aggressive Behaviour

Top tips for managing behaviour

Place your dog in
another room

Use a letterbox cage
or an outdoor mailbox

Never leave your
dog unsupervised

Visit your vet to
check for medical
causes of aggression

Referral to a
qualified
behaviourist

Develop a behaviour
modification plan

Preventing Aggressive Behaviour

Top tips for managing behaviour

Carry puppies to
meet visitors

Let visitors give them
treats

Never leave your
dog unsupervised

See The Vet Report