Dog Behavior Problems: Aggression to Family Members

Why does my dog growl or snap at me and my family members?

Animals communicate using body language and actions, rather than words. Subtle postural changes exhibed by dogs include:

• looking away
• leaning away
• moving away
• turning to the side
• staring directly
• freezing in place
• stiffening the body
• stiffening or tucking the tail
• sniffing in the absence of strong odors
• shaking off when not wet
• panting when not hot

These signals that reflect distress are subtle and often missed. When dogs need to communicate but their subtle, lower-level communications are not effective, they often use stronger and more obvious signals, such as growls or snaps. Finally, if growls and snaps are also ineffective, dogs may bite.

"Growling, snapping, and biting create space for the dog, 
as the recipient of these signals typically retreats."

Growling, snapping, and biting create space for the dog, as the recipient of these signals typically retreats. Dogs can’t speak, so they use these signals to say “go away!” or “you’re too close!” or “I’m really afraid!” or “stop NOW!”.

Are there warning signs that predict aggression?

Anyone who lives with a dog should learn the body language that dogs use to communicate. Many dogs initially use subtle communication. They can become frustrated or distressed when their lower-level signals are not effective or are effective only some of the time. To bring relief from the situation, a dog may increase the intensity of its threatening gestures.  

What are the underlying causes of aggressive behavior in dogs?

Some of the more common underlying causes of aggression toward family members include:

• Social conflict-related aggression (when dogs experience anxiety and/or frustration, often when their signals are not effective)
• Resource-related aggression (keeping others away from valuable objects, foods, resting places, or preferred people)
• Fear of being handled (such as might be needed for being brushed or towel dried)
• Fear of an invasive social interaction (such as being hugged)
• Fear of a specific household person 
• Redirected aggression (when a trigger is out of reach and the dog directs aggression toward a nearby person)
• Fear or frustration when being reached for, especially while resting
• Pain or other physical illness

How can I prevent my dog’s warning signs from escalating to aggressive behavior?

Recognizing and responding appropriately to your dog’s subtle signs of stress may prevent your dog from escalating to snapping or biting. If you recognize a sign of distress, immediately stop the interaction. Seek guidance from a qualified professional; ask your veterinarian for advice. 

The following principles apply to all dogs and can minimize the risk of a dog bite:

• Learn to recognize the body language of stress in dogs.
• Do not disturb your dog when it is resting, sleeping, or in possession of something valuable such as food.  
• Always supervise children when they interact with your dog.

Until you can begin behavioral therapy, follow these steps to relieve pressure on your dog and keep everyone safe:

Identify all your dog’s triggers so that you can avoid them, until professional guidance is available. It is important to temporarily avoid triggers by using careful management. You may need to use baby gates, a leash and harness, a crate or kennel, or other means to keep you and your dog safe while you work through the first steps of getting help. All snaps and bites should be considered serious, and professional assistance is needed.

Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a thorough physical examination and test for underlying illness or pain that can be treated. This examination is especially important if this is new behavior or a sudden escalation. 

Protect your dog from known triggers. For example, most dogs do not like to be hugged or grasped around the head or body. Monitor your dog’s body language closely for signs of distress and do not allow family members to interact with your dog in ways that make the dog uncomfortable.

Do not scold or punish your dog for growling. If your dog growls, quietly walk away. Growling is an early warning system that dogs use in an attempt to stop an uncomfortable interaction. When dogs are punished for growling while their underlying emotional conflict remains, they often learn to bypass the growl and move straight to biting, without giving any warning.

Do not attempt to physically overpower your dog. If your dog is stressed and aroused enough to bite, do not engage in a physical altercation. Safely disengage as quickly as possible and create a safe space by using a barrier such as a gate or a closed door. 

Do not provoke your dog. There are thousands of videos on the internet showing people intentionally provoking growling, snapping, or biting from dogs. A dog that is subjected to repeated provocation will become very distressed. Never intentionally provoke a threat display or response from a dog, not even if you are asked to do so by a trainer or “behaviorist”. Provoking a dog can cause irreversible damage and prevent treatment from being successful.

Do not use punishment-based or aversive training methods such as “dominance training”. There is no reason to engage in methods that involve rolling or pinning your dog on its side or back until he “submits”, staring into your dog’s eyes, striking, or kicking your dog. Specialized collars such as choke, prong, and shock collars can cause physical and emotional damage. Research has shown that these methods correlate with a higher risk of aggression.

Continue to engage in safe, enjoyable interactions. Reward your dog for desirable behaviors. Practice and reward previously trained cues (sit, lie down, fun tricks for treats).

How will a veterinarian evaluate and treat my dog’s aggression?

Your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary behaviorist who can thoroughly evaluate your dog’s behavior and create a treatment plan that is humane, effective, and suitable for your family situation.

"There is no one-size-fits-all solution to managing, treating, or reversing aggression toward family members."

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to managing, treating, or reversing aggression toward family members. In some situations, the solution can be as simple as ceasing interactions that trigger aggressive responses. Behavior modification can be used to improve your dog’s comfort with some triggers. Depending on your specific situation, behavior modification exercises might also include helping your dog tolerate wearing a basket muzzle or being confined behind a gate. Medications may be prescribed for dogs with underlying physical or behavioral illness.

What is the prognosis for family-directed aggression?

Many dogs can show a dramatic reduction in aggressive behavior using these treatment strategies, but there will always be a need for some long-term management and maintenance therapy. Aggressive behavior can be “controlled” but not “cured”. The prognosis depends on factors related to both the dog and the family. 

When aggressive responses can be predicted and easily avoided, and when the level of the dog’s response is inhibited (low-level communications rather than severe bites), the prognosis is often very good. Management may be more difficult when there are young children in the home, or when a family member suffers from a health condition that increases their vulnerability to being scratched or bitten.

A risk assessment will consider the following:

• Does your dog growl or snap before biting?
• How severe is the bite?
• How long has your dog been exhibiting aggressive responses?
• How many bites have occurred?
• Are the triggers for biting predictable and avoidable? 
• How frequently does your dog exhibit an aggressive response? 
• How predictable and/or avoidable are the triggers?
• How large is your dog? 
• Can your family members modify their own behavior with proper coaching?

Not every family and every dog can overcome family-directed aggression. In serious cases, re-homing or even euthanasia may need to be considered. You are not alone and should get professional guidance before making these decisions.  

Can I rehome my aggressive dog?

A dog with a known history of bites directed toward humans should only be re-homed with full disclosure. The decision to re-home is based on many factors, including the severity and predictability of the aggression. In many cases, dogs can be successful in a new environment, as long as triggers are clear, so that aggressive responses can be predicted and prevented. 

Most responsible breeders and reputable rescues or shelters will accept a dog back into their care if necessary, and this avenue should be explored before you try to re-home your dog.