There are multiple reasons that a dog may exhibit aggression toward family members. The most common causes include conflict aggression, fear-based, defensive aggression, status related aggression, possessive aggression, food guarding aggression and redirected aggression.
Fear. Most aggressive behavior from dogs is on some level rooted in fear. A dog might be fearful of something or someone getting close to them, or into their space. When whatever a dog is afraid of gets too close, dogs can become overwhelmed or “over threshold” and may respond by biting.
In the immediate aftermath of a bite, you need to ensure your own safety. Stay calm and refrain from overreacting. Physical or verbal reprimands can potentially make the situation worse because your dog may see it as an escalation of aggressive behavior on your part.
Dog aggression can be related to fear, prey drive, socialization issues, and guarding territory, among other things. Most aggressive behavior in dogs stems from fear and anxiety, rather than the desire to hurt others. A certified animal behaviorist can help you safely deal with your dog's aggressive behavior.
Can a Dog That Bites Ever Be Trusted Again? With enough patience and care, many dogs can learn how to manage their stress levels more effectively. As you build better communication skills with your dog, you'll also start to rebuild your trust with them.
Give up the dog if none of the methods succeed. If your dog has a serious mental condition, or bites several times no matter how much training you give it, it may be time to remove him from your home.
If a dog learns not to growl and early signs of anxiousness or stress aren't being recognised, it may appear that the dog will bite 'out of the blue' or without warning. It's worth looking out for earlier signs a dog is uncomfortable too, since not all dogs will growl, snap or bear their teeth before they go to bite.
Reasons a dog may bite without warning:
If your dog perceives no time to 'warn” the threat, they may go straight to nipping or biting. An older dog may be losing its cognitive function with “doggy dementia.” As they become more confused, they are more likely to nip or bite when they are surprised.
While there's little doubt that dogs are capable of feeling primary emotions, which include feelings such as happiness, sadness and fear, there's far less evidence that dogs experience what are called secondary emotions, which include guilt and shame, says Scientific American.
It is absolutely essential to work on training and socialization with your dog as soon as possible after the bite. The best plan is to contact a professional trainer and possibly a veterinary behaviorist. Many dogs with aggression can be helped through training, socialization, and behavior modification.
Any stray or unwanted dog, cat, or ferret that bites a person may be euthanized immediately by an animal health professional and the head should be submitted for rabies testing.
Experiencing a dog bite can be traumatic, with lasting impacts beyond just the physical injuries. Often, dog bite victims may experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being bitten, especially children.