How aggressive are wolf dogs

Wolf Dog behavior and aggression

If youre looking for an intelligent, loyal, and highly independent canine companion, the wolf-dog could be just what you need. But there are a few things to keep in mind when bringing one of these magnificent creatures into your homethey have powerful emotions that can lead to unpredictable behavior. From recognizing and responding to aggression triggers to understanding why it might be shy or aloof at times, any potential owners of a wolf-dog need to know about their behavioral habits so they can provide the best care possible

Why are Wolf dogs aggressive towards dogs?

Wolf Dogs have been known to be bred for their petlike personalities, but when it comes to interacting with other dogs, things can get hairy. Wolf Dogs are prone to viewing other dogs as either threats or potential rivals, traits that come from wild wolf behavior. This often leads to them treating other dogs with aggression growling, snapping, and even lunging at times.

In some cases, this is especially true of male Wolf Dogs who are trying to make themselves appear dominant. Such aggression is due to the combination of wild wolf instincts and genetics with domesticated dog upbringing, making them a little more challenging than your average canine companion.

How do you discipline a wolf dog?

Wolf dogs are a unique breed and require an understanding of their behavioral tendencies to effectively discipline them. Though they have traits found in both wolves and dogs, its important to remember that because of the wild genetics involved, wolf dogs are attempting to balance two very different worlds.

To properly discipline a wolf dog, you want to find a balance between exercise and discipline; too much emphasis on one or the other can lead to behavioral issues. Wolf dogs need physical and mental stimulation through plenty of exercises, training, enrichment activities, and even species-appropriate playmates.

As for discipline methods, be sure to remain consistent with your training and provide positive reinforcement rather than punishment; reward good behavior while calmly correcting inappropriate behavior. The goal is to ultimately maintain a positive relationship with your wolf dog while establishing yourself as the packs leader.

What are Wolf Dog behavior problems?

Wolf Dogs make wonderful companions if you understand the challenges of owning them. While these dogs are immensely loyal and loving, certain behavior problems may arise. These include barking too much or too loudly, aggression towards people or other animals, chewing furniture and other items around the house, and digging in yards.

Proper socialization with people and other animals as a puppy is essential for Wolf Dogs to be able to overcome any issues with aggression. Additionally, providing plenty of opportunities for exercise and mental stimulation can help reduce excessive barking and chewing behaviors. If you can meet their needs as an owner, Wolf Dogs can be excellent pets that will bond closely with their family!

Are wolf dogs more aggressive?

Wolf dogs, or wolf hybrids, are one of the most debated animals out there. While some believe that they can be domesticated and make great pets, others argue that since their ancestry involves wild animals, they may be more aggressive than a typical domesticated dog.

Despite disagreements on this topic though, studies have proven that these animals are no more prone to aggression than regular dogs unless theyve been raised improperly by irresponsible owners. Despite this truth, however, prospective wolf dog owners should still do thorough research to ensure proper care for their hybrid animal.

Why are wolf dogs aggressive?

Wolf dogs, or wolf-dog hybrids, can be prone to aggressive behavior in some cases. This is because wolf dogs normally inherit their aggression from wolves instead of being bred for cuddliness like some other companion animals. Wolves typically pose a threat when they feel threatened, and this same instinct may be passed down to the wolf-dog as a result of genes.

Not all wolf dogs will be aggressive, but its important to factor this into their characteristics when caring for one since their wild side often runs strong. It takes training, lots of patience, and socialization to help them become well-adapted companions but when done right, they make an incredibly loyal pet.

Would a dog attack a Wolf Dog?

People often assume that owning a Wolf Dog means having an untamed pet that could be dangerous. On the contrary, trained and socialized Wolf Dogs are no more prone to attack than any other breed of dog. Though a Wolf Dog may feel threatened by other animals, it does not mean they will react aggressively.

Generally speaking, it is unlikely for a Wolf Dog to attack a regular domesticated dog. While there could potentially be aggression in any encounter between two dogs, owners of Wolf Dogs should make sure they properly train their pets with guidance from experienced trainers as well as socializing them to interact with other animals to prevent any miscommunication or disputes.

Conclusion

While it is much easier to adopt a ready-trained wolf-dog, training one yourself can be a rewarding experience that ultimately builds your bond with your pet. It takes patience and understanding of wolf behavior but the outcome is well worth the effort. Furthermore, understanding the importance of exercise, mental stimulation, consistency, clear expectations, and socialization is key to having a happy and content wolf dog. Keep in mind that with any pet not just wolf dogs there will always be some level of potential aggression and danger. So if you decide to take on this adventure make sure you are prepared for anything that may come your way!

Aggression

Aggression is the most common and most serious behavior problem in dogs. Its also the number-one reason why pet parents seek professional help from behaviorists, trainers and veterinarians.

What Is Aggression?

The term aggression refers to a wide variety of behaviors that occur for a multitude of reasons in various circumstances. Virtually all wild animals are aggressive when guarding their territories, defending their offspring and protecting themselves. Species that live in groups, including people and dogs, also use aggression and the threat of aggression to keep the peace and to negotiate social interactions.

To say that a dog is aggressive can mean a whole host of things. Aggression encompasses a range of behaviors that usually begins with warnings and can culminate in an attack. Dogs may abort their efforts at any point during an aggressive encounter. A dog that shows aggression to people usually exhibits some part of the following sequence of increasingly intense behaviors:

• Becoming very still and rigid
• Guttural bark that sounds threatening
• Lunging forward or charging at the person with no contact
• Mouthing, as though to move or control the person, without applying significant pressure
• Muzzle punch (the dog literally punches the person with her nose)
• Growl
• Showing teeth
• Snarl (a combination of growling and showing teeth)
• Snap
• Quick nip that leaves no mark
• Quick bite that tears the skin
• Bite with enough pressure to cause a bruise
• Bite that causes puncture wounds
• Repeated bites in rapid succession
• Bite and shake

Dogs dont always follow this sequence, and they often do several of the behaviors above simultaneously. Many times, pet parents dont recognize the warning signs before a bite, so they perceive their dogs as suddenly flying off the handle. However, thats rarely the case. It can be just milliseconds between a warning and a bite, but dogs rarely bite without giving some type of warning beforehand.

Classification of Aggressive Behavior

If your dog has been aggressive in the past or you suspect she could become aggressive, take time to evaluate the situations that have upset her. Who bore the brunt of her aggression? When and where did it happen? What else was going on at the time? What had just happened or was about to happen to your dog? What seemed to stop her aggression? Learning the answers to these questions can clarify the circumstances that trigger your dogs aggressive reaction and provide insight into the reasons for her behavior. You need an accurate diagnosis before you can hope to help your dog.

Aggressive behavior problems in dogs can be classified in different ways. A beneficial scheme for understanding why your dog is aggressive is based on the function or purpose of the aggression. If you think of aggression this way, you can determine what motivates your dog to behave aggressively and identify what she hopes to gain from her behavior.

Territorial Aggression

Some dogs will attack and bite an intruder, whether the intruder is friend or foe.

Dogs wild relatives are territorial.They live in certain area, and they defend this area from intruders. Wolves are highly territorial. If a coyote or a wolf whos not part of a pack invades their territory, the resident wolves will attack and drive off the intruder. Some dogs display the same tendencies. They bark and charge at people or other animals encroaching on their home turf. Dogs are often valued for this level of territorial behavior. However, some dogs will attack and bite an intruder, whether the intruder is friend or foe. Territorial aggression can occur along the boundary regularly patrolled by a dog or at the boundaries of her pet parents property. Other dogs show territorial aggression only toward people or other animals coming into the home. Male and female dogs are equally prone to territorial aggression. Puppies are rarely territorial. Territorial behavior usually appears as puppies mature into adolescence or adulthood, at one to three years of age.

Protective Aggression

Dogs may show aggressive behavior when they think that one of their family members or friends is in peril.

Dogs are a social species. If they were left on their own, they would live together in small groups, or packs, of family and friends. If one member of a pack is in danger, the others typically rush in to help defend that individual. This is classified as protective aggression because the dogs are protecting one of their own. Pet dogs may show the same type of aggressive behavior when they think that one of their family members or friends (human or animal) is in peril. Sometimes dogs reserve protective aggression for individuals they consider particularly vulnerable. A dog who has never shown aggression to strangers in the past might start behaving aggressively when she has a litter of puppies. Likewise, a dog might first show protective aggression when her pet parents bring a human child into the family. While this behavior sounds appealing at first glance, problems arise when the protective dog starts to treat everyone outside the family, including friends and relatives, as threats to the babys safety. Both male and female dogs are equally prone to protective aggression. Puppies are rarely protective. Like territorial behavior, protective aggression usually appears as puppies mature into an adolescence or adulthood, at one to three years of age.

Possessive Aggression

Many dogs show the tendency to guard their possessions from others, whether they need to or not.

Dogs evolved from wild ancestors who had to compete for food, nesting sites and mates to survive. Even though our pet dogs no longer face such harsh realities, many still show the tendency to guard their possessions from others, whether they need to or not. Some dogs only care about their food. These dogs might react aggressively when a person or another animal comes near their food bowl or approaches them while theyre eating. Other dogs guard their chew bones, their toys or things theyve stolen. Still others guard their favorite resting spots, their crates or their beds (Often, these dogs also guard their pet parents beds!). Less common are dogs who guard water bowls. Usually a possessive dog is easy to identify because shes only aggressive when she has something she covets. But some dogs will hide their cherished things around the house and guard them from unsuspecting people or animals who have no idea that theyre anywhere near a valued object. Male and female dogs are equally prone to possessive aggression, and this type of aggression is common in both puppies and adults. For more detailed information about food-related possessive aggression and how to treat it, please see our article, Food Guarding.

Fear Aggression

A fearful dog may become aggressive if cornered or trapped.

When animals and people are afraid of something, they prefer to get away from that thing. This is called the flight response. But if escaping isnt an option, most animals will switch to a fight response. They try to defend themselves from the scary thing. So a dog can be afraid of a person or another animal but still attack if she thinks this is her only recourse. A fearful dog will normally adopt fearful postures and retreat, but she may become aggressive if cornered or trapped.Some dogs will cower at the prospect of physical punishment but attack when a threatening person reaches for them. Fearful dogs sometimes run away from a person or animal who frightens them, but if the person or animal turns to leave, they come up from behind and nip. This is why its a good idea to avoid turning your back on a fearful dog. Fear aggression is characterized by rapid nips or bites because a fearful dog is motivated to bite and then run away. Sometimes the aggression doesnt begin with clear threats. A fearful dog might not show her teeth or growl to warn the victim off. In this kind of situation, the only warning is the dogs fearful posture and her attempts to retreat. Male and female dogs are equally prone to fear aggression, and this type of aggression is common in both puppies and adults.

Defensive Aggression

Motivated by fear, defensively aggressive dogs decide that the best defense is a good offense.

Closely related to fear aggression is defensive aggression. The primary difference is the strategy adopted by the dog. Defensively aggressive dogs are still motivated by fear, but instead of trying to retreat, they decide that the best defense is a good offense. Dogs who are defensively aggressive exhibit a mixture of fearful and offensive postures. They may initially charge at a person or another dog who frightens them, barking and growling. Regardless of whether the victim freezes or advances, the defensively aggressive dog often delivers the first strike. Only if the victim retreats is the defensively aggressive dog likely to abort an attack. Male and female dogs are equally prone to defensive aggression. Its slightly more common in adults than in puppies simply because dogs need to have some confidence to use this defensive strategy, and puppies are usually less confident than adults.

Social Aggression

A dog who perceives herself as high in status may show aggression toward family members.

Animals who live in social groups, like people and dogs, typically live by certain rules in order to minimize conflict between group members. Canid species, including the dog, adopt a type of hierarchical order that influences which group members get first crack at food, the best resting spots and opportunities to mate. So rather than having to fight for access to valued things each and every time, those lower down on the totem pole know to wait until the higher-ups have had their share before taking their turn. These ordered relationships are frequently reinforced by displays of ritualized aggression. Individuals of high status use aggressive threats to remind the others of their place in the pack. The relationships between people and dogs who live together are certainly more complex than this simplified description, but its still important to know that a dog who perceives herself as high in status may show aggression toward family members. (This kind of behavior is sometimes called dominance or status-seeking aggression). This is why a dog might be perfectly trustworthy with one pet parent but react aggressively toward the other or toward young children in the family. Such dogs are often described as Jekyll and Hyde because, most of the time, theyre happy-go-lucky, friendly dogs. But if they feel that someone in the pack has overstepped his or her bounds, these dogs can quickly resort to aggression. An aggressive response is usually provoked by things that a dog perceives as threatening or unpleasant, such as:

• Taking food away
• Taking a chew bone, toy or stolen object away
• Disturbing the dog while shes sleeping
• Physically moving the dog while shes resting
• Hugging or kissing the dog
• Bending or reaching over the dog
• Manipulating the dog into a submissive posture (a down or a belly-up position)
• Lifting or trying to pick up the dog
• Holding the dog back from something she wants
• Grooming, bathing, towelling or wiping the dogs face
• Touching the dogs ears or feet
• Trimming the dogs nails
• Jerking or pulling on the dogs leash, handling her collar or putting on a harness
• Verbally scolding the dog
• Threatening the dog with a pointed finger or rolled-up newspaper
• Hitting or trying to hit the dog
• Going through a door at same time as the dog or bumping into the dog

Social aggression is somewhat more common in males than in females and more common in purebreds than in mixed breeds. Puppies are rarely socially aggressive with people, but they can be with other dogs, particularly littermates. Social aggression usually develops in dogs between one to three years of age.

Its important to realize that the complexities involved in social aggression are poorly understood and hotly debated by behavior experts. Some believe that all social aggression is rooted in fear and anxiety, while others believe that its motivated by anger and the desire for control. When consulting a professional, make sure youre comfortable with her treatment recommendations. If the professionals suggestions consist of techniques for instilling fear and respect in your dog, such as alpha rolls, scruff shakes and hanging, theres a very good chance that your dog will get worse rather than betterand you might get bitten in the process. Punishment may be appropriate, but only when its well planned and limited in application. The judicious use of punishment should always be embedded in a program thats based on positive reinforcement and trust.

Frustration-Elicited Aggression

A dog whos excited or aroused by something but is held back from approaching it can become aggressive.

Dogs can be like human children in that when they get frustrated, they sometimes lash out with aggression. A dog whos excited or aroused by something but is held back from approaching it can become aggressive, particularly toward the person or thing holding her back. For instance, a frustrated dog might turn around and bite at her leash or bite at the hand holding her leash or collar. Over time, the dog can learn to associate restraint with feelings of frustration so that even when theres nothing to be excited about, she tends to react aggressively when restrained. This explains why some normally friendly dogs become aggressive when put behind a gate, in a cage or crate, in a car, or on a leash. Likewise, a dog who loves people can still show surprising levels of aggression when her pet parent lifts her up so that guests can enter or leave the home. Male and female dogs are equally prone to frustration-elicited aggression, and this type of aggression occurs in both puppies and adults.

Redirected Aggression

Redirected aggression occurs when a dog is aroused by or displays aggression toward a person or animal, and someone else interferes.

Redirected aggression is a lot like frustration-elicited aggression with the exception that the dog need not be frustrated. Redirected aggression occurs when a dog is aroused by or displays aggression toward a person or animal, and someone else interferes. The dog redirects her aggression from the source that triggered it to the person or animal who has interfered. This is why people are often bitten when they try to break up dog fights. When a person grabs or pushes a fighting dog, the dog might suddenly turn and bite. Another example is when two dogs are barking at someone from behind a fence. Sometimes one will turn and attack the other. Male and female dogs are equally prone to redirected aggression, and this type of aggression occurs in both puppies and adults.

Pain-Elicited Aggression

An otherwise gentle, friendly dog can behave aggressively when in pain.

An otherwise gentle, friendly dog can behave aggressively when in pain. Thats why its so crucial to take precautions when handling an injured dog, even if shes your own. A dog with a painful orthopedic condition or an infection might bite with little warning, even if the reason youre touching her is to treat her. The improper use of certain pieces of training equipment, such as the pinch (or prong) collar or the shock collar, can inflict pain on a dog and prompt a pain-elicited bite to her pet parent. Male and female dogs are equally prone to pain-elicited aggression, and this type of aggression can occur in both puppies and adults.

Sex-Related Aggression

Intact male dogs will still vie for the attention of females in heat, and females will still compete for access to a male.

Even though pet dogs rarely have the opportunity to reproduce, intact male dogs will still vie for the attention of females in heat, and females will still compete for access to a male. Intact male dogs sometimes challenge and fight with other male dogs, even when no females are present. Fighting can also erupt between males living together in the same household. In the wild, this is adaptive because the strongest males are more likely to attract females for breeding. Likewise, females living together in the same household might compete to establish which female gets access to a male for breeding. This type of aggression is rare. Its observed most often in reproductively intact males and less often in intact females. Dogs who were neutered or spayed as adults may still show this type of aggression. If sex-related aggression happens, the dogs involved are usually at least one to three years of age.

Predatory Aggression

Some pet dogs show classic canine predatory behaviors, including chasing and grabbing fast-moving things.

Dogs are closely related to wolves and coyotes, both of whom are large predators, and pet dogs still show some classic canine predatory behaviors, including chasing and grabbing fast-moving things. Many dogs love to chase running people, people on bicycles and inline skates, and cars. They might also chase pets, wildlife and livestock. Some dogs bite and even kill if they manage to catch the thing theyre chasing. Predatory aggression is very different from other classifications of aggression because theres rarely any warning before an attack. A predatory dog doesnt growl or show her teeth first to warn her victim, so predatory aggression can seem to come out of the blue. Predatory behavior can be especially disturbing if its directed toward a human baby. Sometimes the sound of a baby crying or the movement of lifting a baby out of a crib can trigger a lightening-fast reaction from a predatory dog. Fortunately, predatory aggression directed toward people or other dogs is extremely rare in pet dogs.

Family Members, Strangers or Other Animals

Determining whom your dog is aggressive toward is essential to understanding her behavior. Its common for dogs to behave aggressively toward unfamiliar people. Some studies report that as many as 60 to 70% of all pet dogs bark threateningly at strangers and act unfriendly when around them. Aggression toward unfamiliar dogs is also widespread. Its less common for dogs to direct aggression toward family members or other pets in the home. Most problematic are dogs who are aggressive toward children, especially children in the family. Not only is aggression toward children exceedingly difficult to treat because of safety concerns, the likelihood that a dog with this problem will ever become trustworthy is slim.

Some dogs are aggressive only to a certain category of people. A dog might be aggressive only with the veterinarian or groomer, or with the postal carrier, or with people in wheelchairs or individuals using canes and walkers. In some cases, its easy to limit a dogs access to the people that upset her. For instance, if your short-haired dog dislikes the groomer, you can just groom her yourself at home. But in other cases, the targeted people are impossible to avoid. For example, if you have a dog who dislikes children and you live in a densely populated urban apartment building next to a preschool, it will be difficult to avoid exposing your dog to children.

Aggression toward people, aggression toward dogs and aggression toward other animals are relatively independent patterns of behavior. If your dog is aggressive toward other dogs, for example, that doesnt mean shes any more or less likely to be aggressive toward people.

Risk Factors

If youre deciding whether to live with and treat your aggressive dog, there are several factors to consider because you, as the pet parent, are ultimately responsible for your dogs behavior. These factors involve the level of risk in living with your dog and the likelihood of changing her behavior:

• Size.Regardless of other factors, large dogs are more frightening and can inflict more damage than small dogs.
• Age.Young dogs with an aggression problem are believed to be more malleable and easier to treat than older dogs.
• Bite history.Dogs who have already bitten are a known risk and an insurance liability.
• Severity.Dogs who stop their aggression at showing teeth, growling or snapping are significantly safer to live and work with than dogs who bite. Likewise, dogs who have delivered minor bruises, scratches and small punctures are less risky than dogs who have inflicted serious wounds.
• Predictability.Dogs at the highest risk of being euthanized for aggression are those who give little or no warning before they bite and who are inconsistently, unpredictably aggressive. Dogs who give warning before they bite allow people and other animals time to retreat and avoid getting hurt. As counterintuitive as it might seem, its easier to live with a dog who always reacts aggressively when, for instance, every time you push him off the bed than a dog who does so only sporadically.
• Targets.How often your dog is exposed to the targets of her aggression can affect how easy it is to manage and resolve her behavior. A dog whos aggressive to strangers is relatively easy to control if you live in a rural environment with a securely fenced yard. A dog whos aggressive to children can be managed if her pet parents are childless and have no friends or relatives with children. A dog who is aggressive to unfamiliar dogs poses little difficulty for pet parents who dislike dog parks and prefer to exercise their dog on isolated hiking trails. In contrast, living with a dog who has recurring ear infections and bites family members when they try to medicate her can be stressful and unpleasant.
• Triggers.Are the circumstances that prompt your dog to behave aggressively easy or impossible to avoid? If your dog only guards her food while shes eating, the solution is straightforward: Keep away from her while shes eating. If no one can safely enter the kitchen when your dogs there because she guards her empty food bowl in the cupboard, thats another story. If your dog bites any stranger within reach, shes a lot more dangerous than a dog who bites strangers only if they try to kiss her.
• Ease of motivating your dog.The final consideration is how easy it is to motivate your dog during retraining. The safest and most effective way to treat an aggression problem is to implement behavior modification under the guidance of a qualified professional. Modifying a dogs behavior involves rewarding her for good behaviorso youll likely be more successful if your dog enjoys praise, treats and toys. Dogs who arent particularly motivated by the usual rewards can be especially challenging to work with, and the likelihood of such a dog getting better is small.

Always Work with Your Veterinarian

Some aggressive dogs behave the way they do because of a medical condition or complication. In addition to acute painful conditions, dogs with orthopedic problems, thyroid abnormality, adrenal dysfunction, cognitive dysfunction, seizure disorders and sensory deficits can exhibit changes in irritability and aggression. Geriatric dogs can suffer confusion and insecurity, which may prompt aggressive behavior. Certain medications can alter mood and affect your dogs susceptibility to aggression. Even diet has been implicated as a potential contributing factor. If your dog has an aggression problem, its crucial to take her to a veterinarian, before you do anything else, to rule out medical issues that could cause or worsen her behavior. If the veterinarian discovers a medical problem, youll need to work closely with her to give your dog the best chance at improving.

Always Work with a Professional Behavior Expert

Aggression can be a dangerous behavior problem. Its complex to diagnose and can be tricky to treat. Many behavior modification techniques have detrimental effects if misapplied. Even highly experienced professionals get bitten from time to time, so living with and treating an aggressive dog is inherently risky. A qualified professional can develop a treatment plan customized to your dogs temperament and your familys unique situation, and she can coach you through its implementation. She can monitor your dogs progress and make modifications to the plan as required. If appropriate, she can also help you decide when your dogs quality of life is too poor or the risks of living with your dog are too high and euthanasia is warranted. Please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help, to learn how to find a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB), a veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB) or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) in your area. If you choose to employ a CPDT, be sure that the trainer is qualified to help you. Determine whether she has education and experience in treating canine aggression, as this expertise isnt required for CPDT certification.

Can Aggression Be Cured?

Pet parents of aggressive dogs often ask whether they can ever be sure that their dog is cured. Taking into account the behavior modification techniques that affect aggression, our current understanding is that the incidence and frequency of some types of aggression can be reduced and sometimes eliminated. However, theres no guarantee that an aggressive dog can be completely cured. In many cases, the only solution is to manage the problem by limiting a dogs exposure to the situations, people or things that trigger her aggression. Theres always risk when dealing with an aggressive dog. Pet parents are responsible for their dogs behavior and must take precautions to ensure that no ones harmed. Even if a dog has been well behaved for years, its not possible to predict when all the necessary circumstances might come together to create the perfect storm that triggers her aggression. Dogs who have a history of resorting to aggression as a way of dealing with stressful situations can fall back on that strategy. Pet parents of aggressive dogs should be prudent and always assume that their dog is NOT cured so that they never let down their guard.

Are Some Breeds More Aggressive Than Others?

The ASPCA believes that each dog should be viewed as an individual. Its true that most dog breeds once served specific functions for humans. Some were highly prized for their guarding and protective tendencies, others for their hunting prowess, and others for their ability to serve as family pets. Even though many purebred dogs no longer fulfill their original purposes, members of a particular breed may be predisposed to certain behaviors. Despite this, its neither accurate nor wise to judge a dog by their breed or breed type. Far better predictors of behavior, including aggressive behavior, are a dogs individual temperament and history of interacting with people and other animals. If you are concerned about preventing aggressive behavior, the best insurance policies are socialization and training.