Deb D’Andrea, Nederland. I was attending a Festival this past weekend where dogs were allowed and found it awesome to watch so many dogs getting along perfectly, while others required some companion management. One dog in particular had a communication issue when greeting other dogs: tails were wagging and then, wham, the dog would attack the other dog. This is one of those times where a wagging tail doesn’t mean I’m happy to see you.

Dogs typically have very clear communication signals which include subtle changes in their body posture, facial expression, and vocalization. Some signs your dog is irritated and may be preparing to pounce are that they become very still and rigid; they start growling and produce a guttural threatening bark; they snarl, showing their teeth and growling; or they may quickly nip leaving no mark or may break skin. Some dogs may show one of these signs and others may show many of these signs before pouncing.

There are many reasons dogs become aggressive. They could be guarding their territory, defending their offspring, or protecting themselves—which are all natural behaviors used to keep the peace, negotiate social interactions, and protect.

Another form of aggression is fear aggression, where a dog, or person, wants to get away from what they are afraid of, or flee; but if escape isn’t an option, the fight response is triggered. The types of aggression dogs can experience vary widely and are not always predictable, especially if you are working with a rescue and don’t know their history.

If your dog is showing signs of aggression, it’s good to work with a behavior expert before the aggression manifests into a more difficult hurdle to work through. Triggers can be identified and positively worked through, and you can set your dog up to succeed by predicting when triggers may get set and providing a safe environment.

Till next time. Deb D’Andrea, founder of 4TheLuvOfDogz, provides mobile Canine Massage, Canine Agility and Petz Nanny Services for dogs, cats, birds, fish, horses, and other critters. 4TheLuvOfDogz home-made dog treats are sold at local stores, and K9Birthday Cakes are available direct. Contact Deb at 720-675-7078 or info@4theluvofdogz.com for more information.