What to do when there are signs of dog aggression

If your dog is showing signs of aggression, you’re not alone. It also doesn’t mean you’re a bad dog owner. Dog aggression is one of the most common behavioral issues we’re called to help with. It can affect every breed, age or background. Some dogs have been through trauma, while others might lack socialization as a puppy. At Connecting K9, we believe in working with owners and their dogs to create real change. Whether it’s growling at guests, lunging on walks, or guarding food or toys, aggression is a serious behavior that shouldn’t be ignored. But there’s good news. With the right behavior modification plan, even serious issues can be significantly improved or resolved.

What is dog aggression—and why does it happen?

Aggression isn’t a personality flaw or a sign that your dog is “bad.” It’s a communication tool that dogs use when they feel threatened, stressed, or frustrated. So when your dog is showing signs, it can help them keep threats at a distance. While we want to reduce aggressive behavior, we also want to understand what’s causing it.

There are a few common causes of aggression. The most common one is fear or anxiety. This is often due to lack of socialization or past trauma. We don’t only see it in rescue dogs, but also dogs that might have been taken from their mom at an early age. Or sometimes because they associate a certain noise with a negative experience. Dog aggression can also be territorial or protective, frustration, lack of outlet for energy, pain or other medical issues or poor communication and lack of training.

The first step is identifying your dog’s triggers. We need to know what sets them off. This is something we assess during your initial consultation. We also continue to track the triggers and work on throughout the training process. Sometimes it can happen that the dog shows aggression in a certain situation, but later on in a completely different one. Behavior modification plans will never stay the same.

Signs your dog may be becoming aggressive

Dogs don’t usually “snap out of nowhere.” Most give warning signs first. These are not always as visible as others. Some signs are really subtle, while others are more obvious. Early signs of dog aggression are for example lip licking or yawning in tense situations. Yawning isn’t always a sign of a dog being tired, it is also a sign of stress. Dogs may also avoid eye contact or try to walk away in situations. Dogs can also show a stiffer body posture or freeze while seeing a trigger. It’s important to watch body language like this, so you can avoid a severe reaction.

More obvious signs are growling, showing teeth or barking. In worse cases the dog may lunge, snap or bite at the trigger. The barking might be excessive when the dog is approached by a trigger. This can happen with every person they are seeing, but also with a certain sex, race, age or clothing. With dogs it can be against every dog, but also according to size or breed. Resource guarding is another sign that is easier to notice. Dogs might guard their food, toys or space and will growl, bark or show teeth when you’re coming to close.

It’s important to note that aggression is often a symptom of fear, anxiety, frustration, or confusion. It is not related to dominance or defiance. Understanding the why behind your dog’s behavior is the first step toward helping them. If you’re noticing any of these behaviors, it’s time to seek help. Ignoring early signs can allow the behavior to escalate.

Our behavior modification services

At Connecting K9, we offer customized behavior modification programs. They are designed for dogs with all behavioral issues, including aggression. These one-on-one sessions can be scheduled weekly or twice per month. How many times your dog needs training depends on your dog’s needs. But also on how much you do in between the sessions. Without your effort, sessions won’t make a difference.

During our behavior modification consultation we look at the problem. We do this by asking you questions about the behavior, but also the daily routines. This way we can identify the type of aggression. Keep in mind that the type of aggression can change during our sessions. Which might seem like territorial behavior at first, might be resource guarding of a person or the other way around. During the first consultation it might only be a guess, while we have to change our plan throughout the sessions. We don't take a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Every dog is different, and so is every plan.

During the sessions itself we do targeted aggression training. This includes counter-conditioning, which helps your dog have positive associations with a trigger. We also use desensitization and impulse control. While doing these exercises, we also work on some obedience. This will give your dog structure and teaches alternate behaviors. It helps building a good relationship with your dog too. In our plans we also add enrichment activities. These activities  provide healthy outlets for stress, energy, and mental stimulation.

Home management plans for in between sessions

Training doesn’t end when the session is over. It continues at home. That’s why every client receives a detailed management plan. This plan includes information about tools, routines, and safety measures to keep your dog on track between our in-person sessions. There are a few things that reoccur in these plans.

1. Limit exposure to triggers

Until your dog has developed the skills to handle certain situations, we recommend reducing their exposure to known triggers. This prevents reinforcement of unwanted behavior and keeps everyone safe. This might mean that you have to avoid busy walking areas, skipping parks and dog parks, asking visitors to give your dog space and separating pets during high-stress times.

2. Safety first: tools that help

We’ll guide you on the appropriate use of tools like leashes, collars and harnesses that offer control without stress. We can also work with muzzles. You have to introduce the muzzle in a positive way, but it allows safe public training and can reduce the severity of attacks. Other tools that can help are crates and baby gates. These manage your dog’s space at home. All these tools help prevent dangerous situations while you work on behavior change.

3. Structured daily practice

You’ll receive homework assignments each week to practice key behaviors. Think of basic obedience, like ‘leave it’, ‘stay’ and other cues. We also work on name recognition, recall and controlled leash walking. These sessions can be short, as long as you do them daily. In between the sessions we also encourage you to do enrichment activities. They don’t have to be difficult, but give that extra mental stimulation that the dog needs. All short sessions and activities are highly effective and keep your dog’s skills sharp between appointments.

4. Mental enrichment and physical exercise

Aggression often stems from unmet mental or physical needs. We’ll show you how to give your dog appropriate outlets with food puzzles, scent work games, confidence-building exercises and chew items. All these enrichment activities help wear your dog down mentally. This gives them less room to think about threats. A mentally satisfied dog is less likely to act out in frustration or fear.

5. Tracking progress

We provide progress trackers and worksheets to help you monitor what’s working and what still needs support. Knowing your dog’s wins and challenges allows us to adjust our plan and celebrate improvement along the way. It’s important to write down what you do with your dog during the day, which behaviors are showing and what could go better. But don’t forget to think about all the positives during the sessions or daily activities!

How long does it take to see change?

Every dog is different, but most clients begin to see small changes in behavior after just a few sessions. Long-term improvement typically takes weeks to months of consistent training and management. Remember, we’re not just treating symptoms. We’re working to change your dog’s emotional response to the world. It also depends on how much effort you put into the training at home. If you only work with your dog once a week, it takes longer to see improvements than when you train daily.

Aggression often becomes worse if left unchecked. The sooner you intervene, the easier it is to redirect the behavior. It also helps your dog feel safe and confident. It’s never “too early” or “too late” to start training. But the sooner you start, the faster you’ll see improvements.

We’re here to support you

Dealing with aggression can feel isolating and stressful. but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Connecting K9, we’re here to help you every step of the way. We provide a clear plan, ongoing support, and expert guidance tailored to your dog. If your dog is showing signs of aggression, let’s talk. We’ll help you understand the behavior, create a safe environment, and work toward a happier life together.

Contact us today to schedule a behavior consultation or learn more about our behavior modification program.