One of the most serious behaviors any dog owner may need to deal with is puppy aggression.

All puppies are different. Some are more aggressive than others because of their genetics. Others became aggressive because of the environment they live in. Finally, some dogs, even of non-aggressive breeds, are born more aggressive than others of the same breed.

Unfortunately, some puppies, even with training, will remain aggressive and higher risk than others. In those cases, and especially if you have small children, you may need to consult a professional dog trainer to help you deal with puppy aggression.

If you are wondering if your puppy is overly aggressive, here are some of the most common symptoms of puppy aggression.

. Raised fur along the back of the neck and the ridge of the spine
. Biting and Snapping
. Growling
. Excessive barking

So, review the above symptoms and determine how often they occur. All dogs, at least occasionally, bark and growl. An occasional barking or growling, especially during play, is not a cause for concern. Biting, on the other hand, is more serious and requires an immediate attention.

Preventing Puppy Aggression

The way you raise your puppy can have a huge impact on his aggressiveness.

Factors such as living conditions and physical punishment can turn a gentle puppy into an aggressive dog. Similarly, the amount (or lack of) of socialization training can influence puppy aggression in some situations.

Never scream or hit your puppy. These two actions are not only counterproductive but are often the cause of many dog bites. You see, some puppies, even when they are frightened, will exhibit aggressive behavior. More than half of all dog bites are caused by frightened dogs.

Some puppies will only exhibit signs of aggression towards members of your family while others will turn their aggression towards strangers or other animals. In all of these cases, socialization training can and will have a huge impact on puppy and dog aggression.

What is puppy socialization training?

It's a type of training that teaches your puppy to interact with his surroundings. It will not only help you to deal with puppy aggression but it will also help you to raise a well adjusted and easy to get along with dog.

Earlier, I mentioned that some dogs, because of their genetics, are more aggressive than others. Breeds such as Pit Bulls and Doberman Pinschers are generally more aggressive than Labrador Retrievers, but don't assume that all Pit Bulls or other dogs of so called "dangerous breeds" are aggressive. A Chihuahua may be a lot more aggressive, though a lot less dangerous :-), than a Pit Bull.

To successfully treat puppy aggression, you need to be proactive. Because it's a lot easier to prevent aggression than to treat it, try to prevent it from "setting in".

Of course, each situation is unique and it's impossible to become an expert on dealing with puppy aggression from reading a short article. If you have small children or feel it's something you can't handle on your own, hire a professional dog trainer.

Good luck!

About the Author

Ed Nodelman is a member of Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT).
For more information, including tips on other types of dog behavior training and puppy training, visit www.puppy-training-solutions.com.