Canine Quirks: Is my dog actually aggressive?

Heather Ainsley reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com It's every dog owner's worst nightmare: Fido is acting aggressively – growling and getting into scuffles with other dogs, and acting out around people. But just what is “aggression,” and is that actually what Fido is exhibiting? How can you tell if your dog is being aggressive, protective or reactive? What are some ways you can deescalate a situation before it gets out of hand? How can you best maintain peace and harmony in your home? There is much to learn, and it may feel like time is ticking away! The first step to handling aggressive behaviors is understanding your dog. The second step is learning how to define and recognize the