Why is my Labrador suddenly aggressive? …If you’re asking yourself the same question, then you’re not the only one.
Being on the receiving end of any bout of aggression probably isn’t what you had in mind when you first became a proud dog parent.
However, being on the wrong side of an aggressive Lab is probably going to leave you scratching your head in confusion.
But here’s the thing…
Even though Labradors might be known as the kind and gentle breeds of the canine family. No dog is immune from displaying aggressive behavior under the right circumstances.
Fortunately, the situation isn’t hopeless. And with the right plan of action, it’s very possible to curb your Lab’s sudden aggressive behavior before things take a turn for the worst.
The first step? …Grab yourself a free copy of “My Everyday Dog Training Tools” from Dan Abdelnoor over at The Online Dog Trainer.
Inside the book, Dan talks specifically about why teaching your dog how to remain calm is the missing piece of the puzzle to stopping your Lab’s unwanted aggression. Before going on to reveal a few simple exercises you can use immediately to calm your dog, maintain their focus, and quickly bring an end to their aggressive tendencies.
Read the book, apply the training Dan recommends into your dogs’ routine consistently, and their unwanted aggression will soon become a thing of the past.
Here’s the link to take a look: Click Here To Grab Your Free Copy Of My Everyday Dog Training Tools & Discover How To Quickly Stop Your Labs Aggressive Behavior Using A Few Simple Calming Exercises That Take Minutes A Day To Apply!
The Labrador Retriever, according to the AKC, has been the United States’ most popular breed for the last 5 years. Having held the top spot as America’s most loved dog simply means that Labradors are amazing pets.
A majority of dog owners think of Labrador Retrievers as one of the few breeds that not only scream cuteness but will also make anyone’s day brighter.
These fine, intelligent dogs are also known to be loyal and easygoing. So if you’re a parent to an aggressive Labrador, you might feel like one of the unlucky few.
However, with a little focus and determination, it’s very possible to resolve the issue.
Why Is My Labrador Suddenly Aggressive?
Happily, Labradors are not generally known to be as aggressive as a majority of the dog breeds. Most dog owners would have experienced the sheer joy of playing with a Labrador Retriever.
The majority of Labradors have a sweet temperament and are super-friendly.
Labrador Retrievers are loyal, protective, and friendly dogs who love children. They will bark to alert their people of a suspicious visitor, but they won’t attack.
These dogs are not only loving and faithful but highly intelligent as well.
As mentioned before, they make great family pets, and that’s mainly due to their friendly disposition and patient demeanor. On top of this, they’re relatively easy to train since they learn at an early age.
However, we can’t generalize and say that all Labrador Retrievers are friendly and fun-loving.
On a small number of occasions, these lovely canines have been found to be aggressive, especially towards children and other animals.
While such behavior is, without a doubt, concerning, there is something that you have to keep in mind. Any aggressive behavior exhibited by your Labrador Retriever might be his way of expressing himself or trying to tell you something.
Some of the most common reasons for aggression in Labradors include but are not limited to lack of proper training, socialization, and even pain.
For this reason, it’s never a great idea to punish your dog for his aggressive behavior. You will want to unearth the reasons behind their temperament so that you can possibly use positive training to help them improve and become better pets.
Why Do Dogs Get Aggressive?
While it’s not uncommon to come across an aggressive dog, there is a lot of misinformation about canine aggression. Some people even believe the common expression claims that there are “no bad dogs, only bad owners.”
To be fair, if you’re not a dog expert, it’s understandable to think that. You might even think that a dog is aggressive as a result of the owner being “too soft” or failing to be the “pack leader.”
The reality, however, is that aggression is a symptom.
For your Lab to become aggressive, there must be some internal and external factors that trigger his behavior. The dog is simply not acting aggressively on a whim.
While dogs have access to their own emotions, they cannot speak.
As such, there’s no way of understanding why they are behaving aggressively or even if such behaviors are their “disease” or simply one of their emotional reactions.
So it’s up to us to figure out how to help them cope and deal with the problem at hand.
There are various reasons for aggression in dogs, as discussed below:
1. Fear and anxiety
Aggression due to fear and anxiety is a common reason for dog aggression. Most dogs do not like sudden changes in their environment.
When they encounter things that intimidate them, therefore, they are more than likely to show aggression as one of the natural reflex actions.
Dogs also become aggressive whenever they are anxious about not knowing what’s going to happen. They might also be bothered by not knowing how another dog might react.
2. Pain
Aggression in dogs can also be a result of pain or discomfort. It’s not uncommon to see your beloved Lab suffering from pain and becoming irritable and aggressive.
Dogs can be particularly aggressive if they are suffering from pain in their joints, muscles, and bones. In such scenarios, the best course of action is to take your dog for a veterinary check-up.
3. Possessive aggression
Dogs can be very possessive of something that they think they own. This can be anything from their food to bedding.
With this type of aggression, Fido will show his aggression whenever you try to take some of these things away.
This type of behavior often starts when a dog is in its puppy stage of growth. It’s known to result from survival instincts, even though your dog no longer needs such instincts.
4. Territorial aggression
Dogs are very territorial animals. When they see something as a threat to their territory, they will react aggressively.
It’s not uncommon to see your Lab being aggressive whenever a person, pet, or other animal approaches his territory without permission.
5. Protective aggression
One thing that you ought to know about dogs is that they are capable of feeling similar emotions to us. Dogs are known to show aggression, especially when they need to protect their owners.
Such aggression is a reaction to situations that can put the dog’s owner in danger. Just like with a majority of other types of aggression in dogs, protective aggression is instinctive.
6. Medical issues
Lastly, aggression in dogs can be a result of medical issues. Dogs that are suffering from certain medical conditions might show aggression as a side effect of the condition.
It’s for this reason that you need to schedule regular veterinary check-ups and exams for your dog. This way, any signs of aggression can be detected early enough.
7. Lack of socialization
Socialization is one of the most important things when it comes to your dog. A lack of socialization or a bad social environment can easily cause aggression in your dog.
When growing up, a puppy is supposed to be exposed to as a wide variety as possible of the things that they are likely to come in contact with when they grow up.
Related Post: How To Socialize An Aggressive Dog – A Step By Step Guide
How To Stop Sudden Aggression In Labradors
Now that you have an idea of what could be causing your Labrador to behave aggressively, you might be wondering what you can do about it.
The following tips will be useful when trying to stop your Lab from being aggressive.
1. Establish the root cause of the aggression
The first step to dealing with aggression in dogs is to establish what is causing their behavior. Every dog has their own personality, and you need to figure out why your dog behaves the way they do.
This can be done through a series of behavioral tests and experiments.
Once you know the reason behind the behavior you want to eliminate, it becomes easier to manage.
2. Socialize your Lab
If lack of socialization is the reason behind your Lab’s aggressive behavior, try to introduce them to as many people, pets, and other animals as possible.
3. Keep them exercised
Not only is exercise essential for physical and mental stimulation. It can also be a great way to stop aggression in dogs.
It really is true that a tired dog is a happy dog. And when they’ve got their fill, they’ll be less likely to act aggressively.
4. Talk to your vet
If your dog is showing signs of aggression because of a medical condition, you need to go and talk to your vet.
The main indication of aggressiveness resulting from a medical issue is a completely uncharacteristic change in your dog’s behavior.
For example, a Labrador that is usually very quiet and calm could be a clear indication that there is something else going on.
5. Hire a dog trainer
If you have tried everything else, including eliminating the cause of aggression and socializing your Labrador, but you still don’t see a behavior change, you might need to hire a dog trainer.
Trainers will be able to make suggestions as to what you can do about your Lab’s aggression.
Positive reinforcement is especially useful when it comes to dealing with aggression in dogs. Some Labradors might be aggressive because they need some discipline.
Alternatively, I’d recommend grabbing a free copy of My Everyday Dog Training Tools from Dan Abdelnoor over at The Online Dog Trainer.
The exercises revealed in this short guide are what’s ultimately going to set the foundation for a more calm, relaxed dog.
Better still, the training techniques Dan demonstrates only require minutes of training a day to start seeing positive results.
Final Thoughts
Again, Labradors are generally not supposed to be as much aggressive when compared to other breeds.
However, since no two dogs are the same, there are exceptions to the rule.
But with time, patience, and consistency, you’ll be able to put an end to your Lab’s aggressive behavior a lot sooner than you think.
