What to Do With an Aggressive Dog that Bites

For many, a dog is a part of the family, a companion, and a much-loved friend. But even those who have a great relationship with their dog and who cannot imagine a dog-less life may be concerned if their dog is aggressive with others. When a dog is aggressive and attacks someone else, the dog owner may be liable, and the dog’s life may be in jeopardy, too. As such, if you have an aggressive dog that bites, it’s important that you take action sooner rather than later. Here are some tips from our Los Angeles dog bite attorney for what to do with an aggressive dog–

IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF AGGRESSION

The first thing that you should do is to take time to figure out what is causing your dog’s aggression. There are some common reasons that dogs behave aggressively, including:

• Protecting you or another dog, especially a mother dog’s puppies, from harm from an unknown person; 
• Behaving territorially and acting aggressively in an attempt to dissuade trespassers;
• Defending property that is the dog’s, such as a toy or a bone;
• Feeling fearful and cornered – some dogs will try to retreat, but will then act aggressively if cornered; and
• Establishing a hierarchy – dogs will sometimes act aggressively to other dogs in an attempt to set an alpha status. 

The above list of reasons why dogs behave aggressively is not complete. It’s wise to talk to your veterinarian or an experienced dog trainer to identify the reason for aggression in your canine.

STOP THE AGGRESSION

Sometimes, stopping aggression is as simple as eliminating the thing that is making your dog act aggressively in the first place. For example, if your dog is protective of its toys, you may discourage aggressive behavior by never giving your dog a toy when other humans or dogs are around. 

Sometimes, though, it’s not that simple. Our lawyers recommend talking to your vet, working with a professional trainer, and putting a plan in place to train your dog. Note that punishment doesn’t seem to be as effective as does positive reinforcement, and that in some cases, punishing your dog for aggressive behavior can backfire. 

Another thing that you should do is to avoid situations where your dog might be aggressive. If your dog is aggressive around other people or animals, avoiding crowds and dog parks is advisable.

WHEN YOU NEED AN EXPERIENCED LOS ANGELES PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY

When a dog bites, the dog owner can be held liable for damages suffered by the victim. At the law offices of El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, our Los Angeles dog bite lawyers provide representation for dog bite victims that gets results. To learn more about our legal services and what we can do for you, please call our law firm directly today or send us a message telling us more about your situation. We offer free consultations.