A vet has shared some of the subtle warning signs that could indicate your dog is about to become aggressive and may be at risk of attacking others.
Veterinarian Dr. Sara Ochoa, from Louisiana, US regularly writes for animal blog Hound Games.
She has reminded those hoping to buy a dog this Christmas of the upkeep they require – and the signs they may get angry.
The vet, who has been practicing veterinary medicine for the past five years told The U.S. Sun of warning signs a dog might act out before a violent attack.
She said: ‘Things like how the dog holds itself and the sounds it makes can be clues,’ Dr. Sara said.
An angry and aggressive dog labrador showing its teeth, looking ready to attack (stock image)
‘A dog that looks tense all over with its fur sticking up or teeth showing is more likely to snap’.
Dr Sara also said that if your canine is staring hard and intently while not blinking, it could be agitated. The same goes for growling.
And signs that the dog itself feels threatened or scared include ducking down low and tucking their tails between their legs.
Another indication of fear is hiding or squeezing behind furniture.
To tackle these feelings, the vet suggests staying calm. If you give them space, the pooch will hopefully feel less on-edge.
She recommended observing the mannerisms of your pet so you can spot the signs ahead of time that they are in distress.
In particular, she advised dog owners to watch how their pooch holds itself. If they hunch or bear their teeth, they might be angry.
When angry, a dog may snap, growl or suddenly jump towards you while snarling. They’re more likely to lash out when they’re stressed, according to the expert.
But Dr Sara insisted that different dogs react act out differently, so it’s good always practice to learn your own dog’s behaviour.
The expert also revealed that there isn’t one breed that’s more likely to be aggressive than others – even though pitbulls, XL bullies and rottweilers have recently been in the spotlight over aggressive behaviour.
An angry little chihuahua do dog on the leash (stock image)
She explained that the way the puppy was raised is more relevant, citing poor training and minimal playtime as potential reasons.
The pet doctor explained that if the canine was treated with kindness from the onset, it is less likely to become aggressive.
Dr Sara advised new-time dog owners expose their puppies to other dogs and humans as early as possible to help relax them.
She even suggested rewarding your pooch if it behaves well – and this could even extend to throwing a party for them.
If that fails, a dog coach providing them daily training could work wonders if they need to manage their anger as tackling an angry canine on your own can be tough.
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