Aggression in dogs is a response to a variety of scenarios and reasons. It can be a communication tool or a reaction to a real or perceived threat.
Aggression can manifest as growling, barking, lunging, or biting. Early signs of discomfort can be subtle, like yawning or freezing, and are often overlooked.
Aggression can stem from fear, pain, confusion, or attempts to establish hierarchy. It can also be a response to confrontational approaches or traumatic experiences.
Aggression can take many forms, including leash aggression, barrier aggression, fear aggression, pain-based aggression, redirected aggression, and possession aggression.
Sudden aggression could be due to pain or a lifestyle shift. However, it might also be an escalation of subtle signs of discomfort that were previously overlooked.
Calming an aggressive dog involves understanding the behavior and not meeting it with more aggression.
In cases of developed aggression, it's best to seek help from a qualified, positive reinforcement trainer.