The Labrador is an affectionate and intelligent breed common among families. However, can they be aggressive?
Like any dog, the Labrador can be aggressive under certain circumstances.
Genes of their wild ancestors are still present in them. In spite of the fact that they have generally been tamed, dogs could be aggressive under certain circumstances, even if they have been tamed to defend themselves. However, proper training and conditioning should prevent such behavior.
What Made Your Labrador become Aggressive?
To figure out the best plan to stop this bad behavior, you must first understand the reasons why a dog starts acting aggressively. Dog aggression can be caused by several factors.
| Fear | Possessiveness |
| Illness and Injury | Frustration |
| Establishing Dominance |
Fear can cause your Labrador to be aggressive.
It is possible for any dog to become aggressive. When dogs feel that they are in jeopardy, unable to flee, and need to protect themselves, they tend to be aggressive. A dog may become aggressive if it feels confined without an escape route or if it perceives that your intentions towards it are also aggressive. The following are some common fears your dog may have.
| Fear of Thunder | Fear of Riding in the Car |
| Fear of Strangers | Fear of Men |
| Fear of Going Up and Down Stairs | Fear of the Veterinarian |
| Fear of Being Left Alone (Separation Anxiety) | Fear of Fireworks |
| Fear of Children | Fear of Specific Objects |
Usually, rescue dogs exhibiting aggressive, nervous, or violent behavior have been neglected, have experienced trauma, or have not been socialized properly as puppies. In most cases, a rescue dog will need obedience training with a trainer who specializes in training abused dogs. However, you might be able to manage the anxiety with a little patience. Consult your veterinarian to determine the best approach.
Illness and injury can cause your Labrador to be aggressive.
Your dog may become violent due to several medical conditions. It can be triggered by injury or sickness when a dog with no signs of aggression suddenly starts to growl, snap, or bite. If your dog becomes aggressive unexpectedly, it may be suffering from a condition that causes significant discomfort and anxiety. Dogs often become aggressive due to pain. Inflammation, bone fractures, internal injuries, multiple tumors, and puncture wounds are all possible causes of pain.
You may see your dog act irrationally when they are suffering from certain illnesses. Aggression can also be caused by neurological shifts and diseases of the brain in older dogs. When your dog appears to be in pain or discomfort, you may wish to give it medicine. If your dog is sick, you must determine what is wrong with them before you can provide any kind of treatment.
Possessiveness can cause your Labrador to be aggressive
A dog may exhibit possession aggression or property protection if it possesses its food, toys, bed, yard, or other important items. If someone approaches the dog’s food bowl or gets too close while playing with his favourite toy, dogs who display possession hostility may snarl. Outsiders may also be attacked by dogs when they enter your home, which is their domain.
The aggressive nature of a dog can differ from dog to dog and between objects; it feels the need to protect. Dogs place varying levels of value on objects depending on their value to them. Patting your dog while enjoying their toys may not bother them, but when you do the same while eating, they may bite you.
Establishing Dominance can cause your Labrador to be aggressive
Aggression is often a sign of dominance in dogs. This can also affect people, although it usually applies to dogs.
These dogs show this type of behavior to demonstrate that they are in charge. Every time they feel threatened, they grow, snap, or bite. People sometimes confuse dog aggression with dominant behavior when another reason may be at play.
Take care not to confuse your dog’s aggression. Rule out health problems or anxiety before assuming that you know what’s causing your dog’s aggressive behavior. Then you can take corrective action.
Frustration can cause your Labrador to be aggressive
Known as redirected violence or barrier anger, aggressive behavior caused by frustration is called redirected violence. An irritated dog may express its frustration in another way if it cannot get to an object or item. A similar form of agitation is also present in dogs kept on a chain or rope for long periods of time.
A chained dog might spend a whole day reaching another dog living across the street or in an adjacent yard if chained in the backyard. The more agitated a dog becomes, the more likely it is to bark. The dog may snap at you when you approach.
Genetics can cause your Labrador to be aggressive
Another major factor contributing to aggression is reckless breeding. In most cases, a dangerous dog’s descendants will show aggressive behavior at a certain stage if their parents are dangerous. Buying a not aggressive puppy is an effective way to avoid buying an aggressive dog. Purchase from reputable breeders who can show you the parents and their temperament.
How Labradors Express Aggression
Barking and growling are common methods of displaying aggression by Labradors. Labradors rarely harm other pets or animals, so you can avoid this if you bring them together at an early age so that they grow together.
Current Bite Statistics 2019
| CANE CORSO | 235 | 207 | 28 | 88.10% |
| WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER | 68 | 61 | 7 | 89.70% |
| BORZOI | 111 | 100 | 11 | 90.10% |
| IRISH WOLFHOUND | 101 | 91 | 10 | 90.10% |
| PRESA CANARIO | 41 | 37 | 4 | 90.20% |
| BEAUCERON | 53 | 48 | 5 | 90.60% |
| IRISH SETTER | 154 | 140 | 14 | 90.90% |
| STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER | 143 | 130 | 13 | 90.90% |
| BRITTANY SPANIEL | 122 | 111 | 11 | 91.00% |
| SCHIPPERKE | 130 | 119 | 11 | 91.50% |
| BORDER TERRIER | 143 | 131 | 12 | 91.60% |
| BULL TERRIER | 83 | 76 | 7 | 91.60% |
| CURLY-COATED RETRIEVER | 181 | 166 | 15 | 91.70% |
| PUG | 48 | 44 | 4 | 91.70% |
| FLAT-COATED RETRIEVER | 87 | 80 | 7 | 92.00% |
| LABRADOR RETRIEVER | 842 | 776 | 66 | 92.20% |
| ENGLISH COCKER SPANIEL | 75 | 70 | 5 | 93.30% |
| BLACK RUSSIAN TERRIER | 164 | 154 | 10 | 93.90% |
| BELGIAN MALINOIS | 440 | 414 | 26 | 94.10% |
Is There A Difference Between Female And Male And Aggression in Labradors
If you’re choosing a Labrador puppy or an adult dog, don’t be fooled by the puppy’s gender; a dog’s aggressive behavior has nothing to do with its gender or his or her tendency to be disobedient, defiant, or even violent. Several breeders even described their female Labradors as problematic. In contrast, the male Labradors are gentle and kindhearted, and the female Labradors can also be moodier or sassier than other breeds, while it is the other way around for some other breeders.
Does Neutering Your Labrador Early Help with aggression?
The only behaviors that are affected by castration are those that are governed by male hormones. Genetics and upbringing determine a dog’s disposition, training attitude, and desire to perform tasks. Sterilization does not “tame” an overexcited dog in the long run. A neutering procedure should be considered for aggressive dogs. This will prevent any genetic traits of aggression from being passed from parent to child. Several forms of aggression can also be reduced or eliminated by sterilization, those triggered by hormonal imbalances.
Labradors Can Be Head Strong. But This Is Not Aggression.
Several labs like to think they’re in charge; in reality, their attitude is part of their attention-seeking behavior. And they become protective of the owner’s attention. The owner’s attention will be redirected to the new guest if another animal or person is in the apartment. Therefore, it would be best if you told your Labrador that such behavior would not be appropriate. Be sure to show your Lab when they are still young that you are the boss in the house, not them; bad behavior is hard to correct as they get older.
Labradors are friendly with other pets and children
It has been observed many times that Labradors have been able to live in the same house with other pets, sleep and eat together, without any aggression between them. Kids often love Labradors. Any animal in the same household can get along with Lab without any problems. When you have young children, never leave them alone with a dog by themselves.
How to Handle Aggressive Behavior in your Labrador
CAT (Constructive Aggression Treatment) is very effective as an effective method of modifying aggressive behavior. By taking the dog out of their routine, they learn what causes their excitement to increase. Instead of keeping the dog away from the problem, this approach lets them face their challenges head-on so that they can begin to realize that the circumstance or individual is not going to go away, so they can accept it.