While there is no 'cure' for fear aggression, there are many positive things you can do to help manage the problem and get your dog to a place where she can exist in harmony within an environment which she previously found scary.
Fear aggression is unlikely to improve with time. Consult with your veterinarian to rule out physical causes for aggression. Your vet may be able to recommend over-the-counter anti-anxiety products, provide a behavior modification plan or refer you to a positive-reinforcement trainer in your area.
It's possible! Most fearful dogs gradually improve with time, training, and trust. But they won't likely become outgoing if they're naturally nervous or shy. There is hope!
Dogs that are willing to use aggression to change the outcome of a situation are rarely cured but often can be controlled. Improvement may occur by having predictable interactions, avoidance of aggression provoking stimuli, a good daily routine of exercise, play and social interaction.
While most dogs are well-suited to life with their human companions, not all are. Aggressive dogs can cause serious harm to you, your family and anyone else you come across in some situations. Dog aggression can be dealt with, but it takes a lot of training, patience, understanding and caution.
Most scientific studies indicate that it is very possible to rehabilitate a dog after they bite another dog or person.
But if you have a dog going through their first year of life, the most common ages where we see the signs of a fear period are between 8-11 weeks of age, and between 6-14 months of age. Both periods can be expected to last between 2-3 weeks.
Fear Aggression
A fearful dog may become aggressive if cornered or trapped. When animals and people are afraid of something, they prefer to get away from that thing. This is called the flight response. But if escaping isn't an option, most animals will switch to a fight response.
Different dogs react differently to fear, and while some may try to run away, hide, or freeze, others may growl, bark and/or bite. Fear biters think they must fight their way out of the situation, and become so panicked they aren't able to think in a reasonable manner.
"Fear or anxiety related aggression is perhaps the most common form of aggression in dogs." Early manifestations of fear related aggression are typically defensive, displayed to increase the distance between the perceived threat, or communicate 'stay away', yet aggression may become more offensive through learning.
Do not turn your back. 2) If you are on the ground, curl into a fetal position, cover your head with your arms, and keep your fingers curled in a fist. 3) Avoid eye contact. Remember, staring an aggressive dog in the eyes is a challenge.
Aggressive dogs try to look large and threatening. Fearful dogs try to look small and invisible. A scared dog will usually: Tuck his tail instead of standing straight and rigid.
The dog breeds that are more likely to have this problem are the German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Toy Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and German Shorthaired Pointer.
A fearful dog may lean away, lean back, tremble, crouch, lower his body or head, or roll onto his side or back. Often, his eyes will often be fully open with large pupils, his forehead will be wrinkled, and his tail will be lowered or tucked.
Helping fearful dogs become more confident is a multi-step process that can take weeks, months, or even years. In many cases, it's never really “done.”
Do dogs get more anxious with age? While not every dog gets more anxious with age, anxiety in older dogs is not unusual. As dogs age, their sense of smell, hearing, and sight may be impacted. Additionally, they may experience cognitive decline and struggle when it comes to perception and memory.
Depending upon how routine your life is, most dogs will have begun to work out certain patterns in your life by around three years of age and will have appeared to calm down.
Ignore him for 30 to 60 seconds. If your dog follows you or continues to bite and nip at you, leave the room for 30 to 60 seconds. (Be sure that the room is “dog-proofed” before you leave your dog alone in it. Don't leave him in an area with things he might destroy or things that might hurt him.)
You should NOT punish a dog for biting. This method may also teach the dog not to give a warning prior to the bite. It certainly doesn't do anything to minimize the dog's stressors.
Treatment. It's important to keep in mind that there is no such thing as a cure for aggression. Aggressive behaviors are managed and reduced through proper treatment with a veterinary behavioral professional. It's also essential to understand that aggression is a behavioral problem, not an issue of obedience.