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Attorney Ali Toll

Causes and types of dog aggression

On Behalf of | Apr 29, 2024 | Dog Bites

People come into contact with dogs on a daily basis. Most of those encounters happen without anything negative occurring. However, there are times when dogs become aggressive. 

Understanding why dog aggression occurs may help people who come into contact with dogs avoid issues. Owners should also know these points so they can take steps to address the aggression before it becomes a problem.

Why do dogs become aggressive?

Dogs can become aggressive for many different reasons. Certain environmental triggers like being overwhelmed because of being in the middle of a lot of people can cause a dog to become aggressive. Negative associations with certain things, such as specific people or animals are also a common cause. Lack of socialization is often to blame when a dog becomes aggressive. 

What are specific types of dog aggression?

There are many different types of dog aggression. These are named after the root cause of the aggression. Some examples include:

  • Pain-related aggression
  • Territorial aggression
  • Frustration aggression
  • Food aggression
  • Fear aggression
  • Maternal aggression

The signs of aggression in dogs are typically the same, regardless of the cause or type. Barking, growling, licking their lips, snarling and avoiding eye contact are a few of these signs. 

Anyone who’s attacked by a dog may have considerable medical care. They may opt to pursue a compensation claim from the owner of the dog. This can help them to recover the financial costs of the attack. Medical care costs, missed wages and other expenses can all be included in the claim. There are time limits for getting these cases filed, so it’s critical to act quickly.

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