What to Do When Your Dog is Aggressive Toward Other Dogs

When your dog shows aggression toward other dogs, it’s not just stressful, it can be dangerous. The key to solving this issue is understanding why your dog is aggressive and taking smart, step-by-step actions to fix the behavior safely.

1. Understand Why Your Dog Is Aggressive Toward Other Dogs

Dog aggression doesn’t come from nowhere. It’s often caused by one or more of the following:

• Fear or anxiety – Many dogs act out aggressively because they feel scared.
• Lack of socialization – Dogs not exposed to other dogs early in life may react poorly.
• Territorial behavior – Some dogs are overprotective of their space or owners.
• Past trauma or abuse – A rescue dog with a tough past may see other dogs as a threat.
• Frustration or leash reactivity – Dogs that feel restrained on a leash may lash out when they see another dog.

Observe your dog’s body language before the aggression happens—this helps identify the trigger.

2. Start With a Vet Visit

Before trying to correct the behavior yourself, take your dog to a veterinarian. Medical issues such as pain, thyroid imbalance, or neurological problems can sometimes cause aggression. A full health check will rule this out.

Tip: Always rule out medical causes before assuming it’s purely behavioral.

3. Avoid Punishment-Based Training

Yelling, jerking the leash, or hitting your dog can make aggression worse. Instead, use positive reinforcement.

Reward your dog for calm behavior around other dogs. For example:

• Use treats or a favorite toy when your dog looks at another dog but stays calm.
• Mark the behavior with a word like “Yes!” or a clicker to reinforce it.

4. Desensitization and Counter-Conditioning

These are proven techniques used by professional trainers:

• Desensitization: Slowly expose your dog to other dogs from a distance, where your dog feels safe.
• Counter-conditioning: Teach your dog to associate seeing other dogs with something good, like treats.

Steps:

1. Start far away from another dog.
2. The moment your dog sees the dog and remains calm, reward with a treat.
3. Gradually reduce the distance over multiple sessions.

This takes patience. Don’t rush the process. Progress may take weeks or months.

5. Hire a Certified Dog Trainer or Behaviorist

If the aggression is serious (growling, lunging, snapping, or biting), get professional help.

Search for:

• Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
• Veterinary Behaviorist (for complex cases involving medication)

A great place to start is IAABC.org (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants).

6. Avoid Dog Parks Until Ready

Dog parks are high-energy environments where dogs can easily get overstimulated. If your dog is aggressive, this is not the place for exposure therapy.

Instead:

• Stick to walks in open areas.
• Cross the street when you see another dog approaching.
• Reward your dog for ignoring or calmly observing other dogs from a distance.

7. Teach Obedience Commands

Strong basic commands like:

• “Sit”
• “Stay”
• “Leave it”
• “Watch me”

…can help redirect your dog’s attention before an aggressive response happens.

Use short training sessions (5–10 minutes), and reward generously. Daily consistency is key.

8. Use the Right Equipment

If your dog tends to lunge or is a large breed, consider:

• Front-clip harness – Helps redirect pulling without choking.
• Head halters – Offers better control for very strong dogs.
• Basket muzzle – A safe tool to prevent biting during training. Not a punishment.

Important: Never use shock collars or prong collars. These tools often make aggression worse and can cause fear-based behavior.

9. Create Predictable Routines

Dogs thrive on routine. An anxious, unpredictable schedule can raise stress levels and lead to more reactivity.

Make sure your dog:

• Gets enough physical exercise
• Has mental stimulation (puzzle toys, training games)
• Has a quiet place to retreat

10. Track Progress and Stay Consistent

Keep a log of incidents. Record:

• What triggered the aggression
• What your dog did
• How you responded
• What worked or didn’t work

This helps identify patterns and improve your approach over time.

11. Consider Medication (if advised by a vet)

In some cases, especially if fear or anxiety is deeply rooted, your vet might recommend anti-anxiety medication to support behavior training.

Medication alone won’t solve aggression, but it can make your dog more receptive to training.

12. What to Do in a Sudden Aggressive Encounter

If your dog suddenly reacts aggressively toward another dog:

• Stay calm – Do not yell or panic.
• Create distance – Walk away quickly but firmly.
• Block vision – Use your body or an object like a coat or umbrella.
• Use a command – “Watch me” or “Let’s go” can help shift attention.

If a fight breaks out:

• Never try to separate dogs with your hands.
• Use water, a loud noise, or an object like a stick to break their focus.