How do I stop my small dog from being aggressive? Surprising Answer

Signs That Your Dog May Become Aggressive

Any dog can pick up aggressive behavior, and its important to track a pattern of warning signs, like:

Growling and snapping

A rigid body and quickly wagging tail

Lip licking or yawning

Averting gaze

Raised fur

Cowering and tail tucking

Seeing whites of the eyes

Not all dogs who exhibit this behavior are generally aggressive—many of these warning signs are also an indication of anxiety or fear.

Make a note of when your dog becomes aggressive and the circumstances surrounding the behavior. This will play an important part in determining your next step. It is essential to deal with the underlying cause of the aggression. The behavior is just a symptom of an underlying problem. There are a number of ways you can manage the hostility and help your dog remain calm. It will take time, consistency, and possibly the help of a professional.

Are There Behavioral Differences Between Small and Large Dogs?

In a 2010 study led by Christine Arhant, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna titled Behaviour of Smaller and Larger Dogs: Effects of Training Methods, Inconsistency of Owner Behaviour and Level of Engagement in Activities with the Dog, it was confirmed that:

Smaller dogs were seen as less obedient (less likely to listen to their owner’s commands and/or perform a command consistently)

Smaller dogs were more aggressive and excitable (more likely to bark, growl, and lunge at strange people and other dogs)

Small dogs were more anxious and fearful (more likely to be scared of new situations or unfamiliar surroundings)

So, yes, the belief that small dogs are more aggressive and mean than big dogs is not totally unfounded.

But why is this? Why does little dog syndrome exist?

Are they born that way? In other words, are they genetically predisposed to this behavior?

See Your Veterinarian

Talk to your veterinarian to determine whether this is the case with your dog. Treatment or medication may make big improvements in your dogs behavior.

Sudden Puppy Aggression & How to Stop It (tutorial)

For most dog owners, dogs are much more than just pets or companions; they’re part of your family. Much like when your child is having problems getting along with other kids at school, your dog exhibiting aggressive behaviors is cause for worry. Once aggressive behaviors begin, they can start to get out of hand pretty quickly if you don’t nip them in the bud right away.

But how exactly do you stop your dog from displaying those aggressive tendencies? The first step is to identify why your dog is getting aggressive in the first place. There’s likely a very good reason, and if you know why, you can use the 10 helpful methods we’ve listed after the types of aggression to stop it. If you follow these steps, you should be able to quickly halt aggressive behaviors in their tracks and get back to the great pooch you love.