Dogs of all sizes indicate aggression by baring their teeth.
Aggressive behavior in dogs can motivate something as violent as mauling a person to simply growling at another dog during mealtime. Like humans, a dog's aggression stems from several possible factors including: fear; possessiveness or protection over a person, space or resource; or frustration at an obstacle, such as a door or fence. Regardless of the cause, only a specially trained professional can recommend the most appropriate course of action based on the type of aggression your dog displays. Recognizing signs of aggressive behavior lets you know when to stop and contact an expert, before the behavior escalates beyond just signs.
Snarling
Snarling is one of the most widely recognized signs of aggression because it combines two obvious indicators: baring teeth and growling. Dogs do this to warn others of their aggressive intentions. Snarling can be a guarding reaction to protective and possessive feelings. For example, a dog might snarl to warn a human that it finds his petting threatening or to indicate possession over a treat, bone, toy or bed. Snarling is the last sign before biting or snapping, so take it seriously and stop the provoking behavior immediately.
Tensing
A dog that feels threatened or anticipates defending itself will indicate aggression by tensing its entire body. A happy, unaggressive dog bounces, wiggles and wags with fluid joint movement. Conversely, constricting its entire body is a sign of aggression and a potential attack. Tensing means the dog anticipates the possibility of biting or snapping, such as when humans touch its food or someone reaches over the dog's collar in a dominating way. Aggressive dogs frequently pair tensing with snarling.
Snapping and Nipping
Quick nips and snaps might seem playful, but they can actually be signs of aggression when paired with other warning signs such as growling or barking. Aggressive snapping ranges from a single nip that leaves no marks to one that punctures the skin. Puppies that nip and mouth while playing aren't necessarily indicating aggression but you should correct this behavior before it worsens.
Facial Expression
While showing its tongue and averting the eyes signifies submission, the combination of a clenched jaw, erect posture and a dagger stare is a sign of potential aggression. By themselves, none of these three facial movements indicates aggression. For example, a dog could be staring because it's waiting for you to throw its favorite toy or its reclined body position might cause its mouth to close. However, the combination of intense staring, a stiff, erect neck and a clenched jaw indicates aggressive intentions, even if the dog chooses not to pursue the subject by attacking.
Tags: aggressive intentions, biting snapping, entire body, indicate aggression, signs aggression