Dog bites and aggression is not a black and white issue, as many believe.

Public belief, and also that of some “trainers” and other dog pros, is that dog bites and aggression is an either/or issue. They blanket every communication signal under that label, regardless of intensity, level of inhibition, or root cause. The fact is that aggression in dogs can be as complex as it is in humans.


The difference between the scientific approach to aggression, and the relationship approach is that the scientific approach begins with the behavior and finds solutions in scientific theories, and the relationship approach investigates the underlying cause of the aggression and deals with that first, but includes scientific approaches to teach the dog coping skills, and to change the association to the trigger.

The quick fix approach, as seen on TV, is to physically bully the dog into subdued suppression – and that won’t work.

If you shape for a new behavior by applying technical training methods only, the aggression can resurface in situations not shaped for. It is impossible to shape for everything the dog might encounter. Real life doesn’t take place in a laboratory and nobody can control the environment all the time.

If the root cause of the dog bites, and aggression, are accurately identified (one aspect is always the owner/dog relationship - aggression is always a relationship problem), and successfully modified, the problem is permanently solved. The protocol for changing aggression always includes establishing mindful leadership, and might include necessary changes in the dog's environment and routine, managing the dog, and application of various scientific methods such as Operant and Classical Conditioning.

If you punish aggression and any of its expressions, the dog becomes more aggressive and/or develops secondary behavior problems.


Aggression, like any other behavior problem, doesn’t happen because your dog is bad – or you incompetent. Instead of blaming the dog and yourself, regard aggression and dog bites as cause and effect. The cause is not labeled as good or bad, but is simply a factual reason. That is difficult to do first, because our culture demands to take action, blame and punish, but treating aggression as a result of a cause, and not as a personal affront, eliminates guilt and emotions, and allows you to deal with the behavior while you are in a more positive frame of mind. That reflects back on your dog and accelerates success in behavior modification.


Many aggressive expressions, contrary to the belief the general public has, are not because a dog is alpha or dominant, but are rooted in fear and stress. Many dogs labeled alphas are genetically lower ranking, but forced to take charge because the owner doesn’t. That leads to insecurity, confusion and conflict, and consequent stress and aggressive expressions such as reactive vocalizing, charging, lunging and biting. Those are intensified if there is a genetic component, or if offensive behaviors were/are inadvertently reinforced by the environment (dog lunges out of fear/stress and the other dog DOES run away, for example), or if the dog lives in an environment that is stressful (too many stimuli, incompatible dogs, too many dogs, for example).

Predatory aggression falls into the over-stimulation, over-arousal and stress category. Once the chase is on, the dog is quite charged up and in her emotional-instinct brain. The arousal level begins to rise when a dog tracks prey, but can also be instantly triggered with the surprise appearance of prey (“prey” in a dog’s mind can be anything, including cyclists or other dogs). Predatory rooted dog bites, even kills, don’t have to be preceded by a chase; can happen when a dog is completely stationary and a small animal appears.


Fear aggression means that the dog is worried about certain stimuli, for example children, uniforms, dogs, horses and so on. What, or who, triggers a dog’s fear reaction might seem irrational to us, but it is very real for the dog. Many phobias humans have are also irrational to those who don't have them.

Fear is rooted in genetics, past frightening (from the dog’s point of view) experiences, lack of familiarizing, or a combination of all three. A fearful dog, if given a choice and opportunity, often chooses to retreat. There is a risk of dog bites if the dog has no option to avoid or create distance to the trigger; is or feels cornered.

Fear is a normal part of social behavior and might even be a dominant gene. It is quite common and its expressions, including dog bites, should never be punished, but gently modified.

Fear in its most extreme form can be compared to a person who has post-traumatic stress disorder.


Dog bites are categorized in different levels, depending on their intensity, from very inhibited ritualistic “connecting without injuring” to a completely uninhibited kill, and everything in between.
Dog bites that happen in the home are generally over resources.


If you have an aggressive dog, please consult with an expert. In most cases you can change the behavior with the help of an experienced dog pro who sorts things out, and provides a plan of action that is both positive and effective.