A dog adoption in San Diego gives you the chance to bring home a lifelong friend that will make you and your family happy. After the two of you have bonded, you will be able to predict his behavior regardless of how new a situation is. However, there might come a time when you start noticing sudden aggression. Dog aggression towards people include a range of behaviors such as lunging, barking, growling, nipping, snapping, snarling and biting. If this is what you are dealing with, there are several reasons why your dog has suddenly become aggressive.
Fear
The number one cause of aggression is fear. Fear has been known to elicit sudden temperament and behavioral changes in dogs. If the aggression is temporary, your dog might just be reacting to perceived threats. It is important to know why your dog was aggressive. The last thing you want is to be caught off guard or put your dog in a situation that leads to a bout of aggression.
Health problems
One of the top reasons you need to visit the vet regularly more so after a puppy adoption is because some of the aggression may be caused by health issues. Health problems have been known to affect the personality of dogs. Health related aggressions are more common in senior dogs. This is because they are mostly caused by age-related illnesses. Canine cognitive dysfunction and dementia are the two main causes of aggression in senior dogs.
You also need to look at your dog keenly. If the aggression is accompanied by symptoms like weight gain, lethargy or hair loss, the aggression may be a sign of hypothyroidism. If the aggression is accompanies by rapid mood changes or convulsions, the cause might be seizures. Brain damage due to tumors, trauma, thyroid issues and hydrocephalus can also lead to aggression.
Ear infections might also cause your dog to be aggressive. Injuries also cause aggression. You need to make plans for regular vet visits after a dog rescue in San Diego. Your vet will keep an eye on health issues that may easily cause the behavior and temperament of your dog to change.
If you notice sudden aggression, the first thing you should do is visit your vet. He will check if the problem is a result of health issues. If the issue is not health related, you need help from a certified canine behaviorist. The animal behavior professional will show you how to work with your dog using techniques like conditioning, behavior modification and desensitization. If you notice aggression after a puppy rescue, don’t take too long to get help. The longer you wait the harder it will be to correct the behavioral issue.