Understanding Canine Aggression: Causes and Solutions

It's never been as common as now, the fact that dogs are attacking people, causing horrific injuries that sometimes lead to death. Is the sobriquet "dogs are man's best friends" fair and true? Why do some dogs turn aggressive while others remain calm?There are three undeniable facts that pertain to dogs: First, that nearly all dogs have an inherent protective instinct; Second, that though each dog is born with adefinite temperament, it can be changed and moulded by training and environment; Third, dog and masterdevelop a strong bond very soon into their relationshipwhich goes on to give the dog a sixth sense – one that includes knowing his master's likes and dislikes.This is why calm and mild tempered people have dogs of a similar nature while nervous and bad tempered people have dogs that mirror their personalities. In fact,a dog can also pick up a pet owner's prejudices against race or class. Like us, dogs too can err. Sometimes, they misinterpret an action or fail to recognize a person andattack him out of the blue.Another reason for a dog's aggressive nature is hisancestry that goes back to the wolves of the wild. Some breeds like the pit bull are said to be more aggressivethan others. In fact, it is known to be the cause of 72% of all deaths by dogs in the United States. And, it attacks without provocation. The pit bull is the dog of choice of gangsters and street thugs who use this breed as weapons and because they make for good watchdogs. They are intentionally illtreated so as to bring out their aggressiveness. This obviously means that with gentle treatment aggression can be sorted out. However, the basic nature of a dog will always remain and may surface under certain conditions.If a dog ever attacks you, don't panic because a dog will chase anything that moves. Instead, speak casually to him as if you know him, backing away slowly. Don't use any sudden or jerky movements. If you have a book, handbag or anything else in your hands, keep it between you and the dog.If a dog bites you, go to a doctor immediately. This book throws an insight into the cause of a Dog's aggression and its solutions.