Terrier’s Signs of Aggression Put Him in Danger—Urgent Plea To Help!
Troy is a small Staffordshire Terrier, weighing 40 lbs. He had a home and a family until his life was recently upended. The 5-year-old dog apparently started showing signs of aggression, which made his family fearful for their child’s safety. As a result, they decided to part ways with their pet and surrender him to a shelter.
An Instagram user, Ella Hovsepian, helps in finding fosters for needy dogs. She posted Troy’s story on her account @pupppstar in collaboration with @hope.for.pups, highlighting how his family’s decision may cost him his life.
When dogs are surrendered and the family cites ‘aggression’ as the reason, the dog will be at a high risk of euthanasia. This is the harsh reality of dogs that are deemed aggressive. On the other hand, it is important for the shelter to have all the facts so they can properly guide potential adopters to the best match.
“Dogs like Troy often face tough outcomes in shelters because many don’t have the resources to handle aggression,” said Pet Rescue Advocate Rocky Kanaka. “Without intervention—like training or a foster home—their behavior can worsen. But with the right help, these dogs can recover and thrive.”
How Can Troy Be Saved?
Through the Instagram video, Ella seeks help from users to help save Troy’s life. She outlines three steps to help this dog.
- Firstly, he needs pledges in the comments section of the video.
- Secondly, the pledges will allow a rescue or a trainer to take him under their wing and help him with his aggressive dog training.
- Lastly, the canine will need a foster home after the training until he is suitable for a forever home.
Viewers were moved by Troy’s story and they rallied their support by pledging various amounts in the comments. Three days later, Ella shared another post giving an update. She stated that they were able to raise a significant amount in pledges. However, there’s still not a rescue in sight to help out Troy. So, now they are looking for more pledges and a rescue or trainer to come forward.
Netizens have expressed their sympathy for Troy in the comments. A user, Jen, writes, “So sad that a family who pledged to love and care for him for the rest of his life has decided to bail. This is when responsible adopters seek training and guidance. Responsible adopters *never* dump their dog. Responsible adopters teach their children to respect animals’ right to space. I’m so sorry your people failed you, Troy.”
If you want to save Troy, you can pledge an amount, foster, rescue, or share his story in your network. Go to the Instagram post for more details.
Source: Instagram
The Other Side of the Story
While it’s easy to feel frustration or anger toward a family for surrendering a dog like Troy, there are often layers of complexity to such decisions that aren’t immediately visible. Families, especially those with children, can face immense pressure when a pet begins to exhibit signs of aggression. In some cases, the safety of the child may take precedence, and the family might feel they have no other choice but to part ways with their pet.
Financial limitations can also prevent families from affording professional training or behavior therapy, which could have helped Troy. It’s possible that the family felt unable to manage Troy’s behavior in a safe way for everyone involved, leading them to make a heart-wrenching decision.
Understanding Aggression in Dogs
You must have heard of certain dog breeds being termed “aggressive dog breeds” and are even sometimes banned. Often, Bully breeds like Pit Bulls have to bear the tag of one of the most aggressive dog breeds, evidenced by the existence of subreddits on Reddit like r/BanPitBulls.
According to a professional dog trainer, Dion Studinski, “As a behaviorist and trainer specializing in balanced training techniques, I see that aggression is not only the most common reason that owners seek professional help but also a leading cause for dogs being surrendered to animal shelters or euthanized each year.” He further adds, “Importantly, aggression is not limited to large and loud dogs; even small and timid dogs can exhibit aggressive behaviors.”
Causes of Aggressive Behavior In Dogs
So, despite Bully dogs getting a lot of slack for being aggressive, there are actually many other reasons behind a dog’s aggressive tendencies and they don’t have to do much with the breed of the dog. Studinski essentially explains that aggression in dogs often results from inadequate socialization and training, with genetic factors and early traumatic experiences also playing a role. Proper socialization and care are key to preventing aggressive behaviors.
Additionally, Studinski states, “Trauma, especially in rescue dogs, can significantly contribute to aggressive behavior. Dogs that have experienced abuse, neglect, or other traumatic events may display fear-based aggression to protect themselves from perceived threats.”
Signs of Aggression in Dogs
Victoria Schade, an animal trainer, contends, “‘Aggression’ is a catch-all phrase that encompasses a great deal of canine communication that humans don’t necessarily understand and tend to misinterpret.” So, what are the true signs of aggressive behavior in dogs?
The following body language cues can be indicative of aggressive responses, including early warning signs that may precede a “full aggressive display”:
- Yawning
- Freezing
- Staring continuously
- Curling the lips
- Licking the lips
- Showing teeth
- Bumping nose
- Snapping the jaw without making contact
- Growling
- Lunging
- Gentle mouthing with no pressure and releasing quickly
- Biting with enough force to cause bruising or tear the skin
How To Treat Dog Aggression?
If your dog is showing some aggressive behaviors, that doesn’t translate to immediately surrendering them to the shelter. Your dog is a family member and instead of giving up on them, you can try multiple ways provided by Studinski to make your canine companions unlearn certain aggressive behaviors.
1. Consult with a Professional for Dog Aggression Training
If you’re looking up terms like “aggressive dog training near me,” “dog aggression training near me” or “dog training for aggressive dogs near me,” you’re on the right track! First of all, consult your veterinarian to rule out any medical issues that could be contributing to your dog’s aggression. Next, seek out you can connect with a certified dog trainer or behaviorist. They can evaluate your dog’s behavior and create a customized training plan tailored to their specific needs.
2. Recognize Triggers
Carefully observe your dog to recognize the triggers that provoke aggressive tendencies. Keep a journal to track specific situations or stimuli that lead to these aggressive reactions.
3. Behavior Correction
With the help of a trainer, you can implement behavior modification techniques, such as positive reinforcement and desensitization, to alter your “dog’s emotional response” to triggers and promote good behaviors.
4. Control the Environment
Adjust your dog’s environment to limit “opportunities for aggression” and reduce exposure to triggers. Utilize tools like muzzles, crates, or baby gates to help manage their surroundings effectively.
5. Set Clear Boundaries
Establish and enforce clear rules with consistent practices. Reinforce positive behaviors with rewards and address undesirable behaviors with appropriate corrections. This can help teach the dog to stop being aggressive to strangers at the house or toward people coming into the yard.
6. Patience and Consistency is Key
Addressing aggression takes time, patience, and steady effort. Remain calm, celebrate your dog’s progress, and stay committed to helping them alleviate aggression.
Preventing Aggression in Dogs
Before your dog shows signs of aggression, you can prevent it altogether. The most important thing for any dog breed is early socialization.
As per Dion Studinski, a properly socialized dog means exposing them to various stimuli early on, for instance allowing them to socialize with other dogs in a supervised manner. Moreover, you can introduce them to diverse environments like a public park, a friend’s home, or a vet’s office.
Stundinski advises, “Love your dog by providing training, guidance, and correcting unwanted behaviors, ensuring a well-behaved and happy companion.” For example, if your puppy is constantly destroying things at your home or nipping at you because they love to chew, provide them with dog toys for aggressive chewers. Encourage them to use these toys by rewarding them with treats. This approach helps redirect their destructive behavior into a more controlled and appropriate outlet.
Lastly, providing your dogs with a training program before they display any aggressive behavior can be extremely beneficial. “Consult professionals to learn effective training, rewarding, and correcting methods,” says Studinski.
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