Puppy
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6 min
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When your young pup’s in their early developmental stages, and training is at its most crucial - you may wonder whether your puppy’s scrappy, playful behaviour borders on aggression. They’re experiencing everything for the first time, so they’re going to act out from time to time. Not to mention they’re going through teething, training, and experiencing rapid growth spurts - all of which can be overwhelming for them!
That said, it’s super important to nip aggressive behaviours in the bud, so that your pooch can live harmoniously with you as they grow, and integrate easily among other dogs, animals and people.
Here’s our rundown on how to recognise aggression in your puppy, and how to redirect them to healthier coping behaviours so they grow into a calm, good-natured pooch.
Firstly, how do you know if your puppy’s being aggressive? There are distinct differences between aggressive and playful behaviour in dogs. In general, playful behaviour is looser - your puppy’s body will seem more wriggly, smiley and bouncy; whereas aggression is usually defined by stiff muscles, frowning and tension. Here are some examples of playful demeanour in puppies as opposed to aggressive behaviour:
A ‘smiley’ expression, with lots of bouncing and bowing.
They often pose in a classic play position, with the front legs lowered and bum in the air, tail wagging.
They won’t bite hard if they’ve already been trained, but will playfully nip or bite without it hurting badly (although it might be annoying).
They’ll take turns being ‘the chaser’ and ‘the chased’, rather than crossing boundaries with you.
Barking will be short and high-pitched, like little yelps.
A stiff position with hunches raised, tail tucked between legs and a ‘frown’.
Your pup might grit and bear their teeth, and emit a low growl as opposed to playful little barks.
They might bark loudly and won’t quickly stop.
They may show the whites of their eyes, and their fur might stand on end.
If they nip or bite, they’ll do it to hurt/warn you and won’t retract or soften quickly (like if it were playful).
It’s worth noting that it’d very unusual to see true aggression in a puppy before puberty
Puppies can be aggressive before they’ve been properly socialised or trained. If they don’t yet have an understanding of how they should behave in the human world, they’ll act more on their ‘wild’ instincts by being territorial, possessive and/or fearful of others.
At other times, they’ll just be being playful, but don’t yet understand how far is appropriate to go. Here are some common reasons or ‘triggers’ for a pup getting angry…
Food possessiveness. It’s a canine instinct to hide or protect food from other animals and litter mates, so if not trained to do otherwise, your puppy might show aggression at feeding times. Those who are regularly having things taken out of their mouths and taken from them in general, are more likely to become possessive.
Fear around other dogs. Pooches often act with aggression when they’re scared, and the only way to channel that anxiety is to bark, growl and bite.
Being territorial. Aggression can appear when your puppy’s being protective - either of their owners, the house, their personal space or even just a favourite toy.
They’re in pain/unwell. If your puppy’s usually well behaved but suddenly starts to act aggressively when touched or approached, they may have sustained an injury or been unwell.
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So, how do we stop aggressive behaviour in puppies from becoming a real problem? The simple answer is training, training, training. Training a puppy to behave appropriately when they feel territorial, anxious or protective isn’t something to take or leave as a pooch parent. It’s essential to get it right from a young puppy age and throughout your dog’s life - so that they don’t develop unruly behaviours that will be harder to change as they get older.
Here are some solid foundational tips to reduce your pup’s aggressive behaviour:
If you feel you’ve tried everything and you’re still not getting the desired results, there’s no shame in seeking help. Puppy-rearing can be challenging, and some puppies are more energetic and chaotic than others. Seek assistance from a canine behavioural specialist, a qualified puppy trainer or your vet, who can pass on some resources and recommendations to you.
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