Spot the Signs of a Dangerous Dog

Aggression is a common attribute of dogs that leads them to attack humans. A dog attack can be a traumatic experience, leaving victims with physical and emotional pain. If you’ve been the victim of a dog attack, you have the right to hire a dog bite lawyer in Utah or elsewhere, but a good way to avoid this altogether is to be aware of signs of aggression.

Body Language

Dog behavior is somewhat complex, but like humans, their body language can tell you a lot. Dogs send signals through their posture and movements. A common sign of an aggressive dog is lunging. This is when a dog lunges forward or begins to charge you.

When dogs become rigid and still that can also be a red flag. It’s important to thoroughly evaluate a dog’s posture. If it looks unusual and stiff, you may be in danger and should proceed with caution in order to avoid needing to hire a dog bite lawyer later.

Behaviors

It’s not uncommon for dogs to bark and growl while being playful, but when a dog begins to snarl and show teeth, this could be the first exposure to their aggressive side. It’s important to look for aggressive behaviors such as showing teeth, nudging with the nose and so on.

If you are ever unsure about a dog’s behavior, walk away calmly or approach the dog slowly by letting it sniff you first. Dog bite lawyers from Utah to the East Coast commonly see cases involving children who charged a dog with too much excitement, resulting in an aggressive attack.

Types of Aggression

There are several types of aggression that can be seen in dogs. These types of aggression include: territorial, protective, possessive, fear, and defensive aggression. In Utah and elsewhere, territorial and possessive aggression are generally the most common.

For example, even the friendliest of dogs can turn aggressive over something like food, being naturally possessive and protective of it. Therefore, it’s important to understand the environment and situation the dog is in before approaching it.

Alyssa Koenig is a legal writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Robert J Debry. Follow on Twitter.