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What are some subtle signs of aggression in dogs?

On Behalf of | May 29, 2023 | Attacks by Dogs and Other Animals

When you are interacting with dogs, you could see some odd actions that may not make sense to you at first. Dealing with a dog bite can leave you with serious, long-term injuries.

As you think over what happened, you may notice the signs of an aggressive and territorial dog.

Stiff stance and lack of movement

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a dog that is standing still and staring directly at you may be watching you carefully in order to eventually bite you. You could see the dog showing signs of stress that may seem at first like they want to play.

Some dogs could yawn or freeze in place at first when you approach them. However, when dogs notice their comfort zone stretching too far, they can switch from acting seemingly shy to becoming angry and aggressive.

Nipping and play fighting

Before biting and latching onto a person, dogs could first lunge forward and try to push your body with their muzzle. You could even hear some sounds like quiet growling from dogs while they bare their teeth.

If you continue to approach or if the dog is still upset, the dog could nip or snap at you before quickly retreating. This kind of bite does not leave a mark and is not a serious injury yet since it is still a warning sign.

Serious biting and jumping

In the final parts of their warnings, dogs will begin to bite in earnest. They may hold on by clamping their teeth down while snarling.

Knowing why dogs bite and how to detect the aggression they feel may help you in multiple ways. Since these injuries can happen quickly, staying vigilant is key.

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