What are we even doing?
We are currently facing a quiet epidemic in the world of dog ownership. An epidemic not of illness, but of misunderstanding. Dog aggression, fear, reactivity, and anxiety are becoming increasingly common, and yet so often the root cause is misunderstood, ignored, or oversimplified. Our dogs are struggling—and we are letting them down.
Dogs have historically been one of the most tolerant species toward humans. We have selectively bred them over generations to live closely alongside us, to adapt to our homes, our families, and our lifestyles. But the pressure we now place on them to fit perfectly into a fast-paced, overstimulating human world is immense. We expect them to behave politely and predictably at all times, in all settings, regardless of what they’re feeling. And when they don’t? We blame them. We pathologise them. Or worse, we punish them.
There is a persistent myth that dogs behave badly because they are dominant, stubborn, or trying to assert control. We create complex, often far-fetched narratives to explain behaviour that is, in reality, a dog simply communicating distress. A growl is a warning. A snap is fear. Lunging on a lead is often frustration or anxiety. These are not calculated power plays—they are cries for help. They are not candidates, they are dogs!
In fact, aggression in dogs is very often rooted in three things: fear, frustration, or undiagnosed pain or discomfort. Aggressive behaviour is a survival response, not a personality trait. It’s a dog saying, "I don’t feel safe," or "Something hurts," or "I don’t know what else to do."
Unfortunately, we too often ignore these messages or mislabel them as defiance. Instead of investigating whether a dog might be in pain or discomfort, we seek quick fixes. We turn to punishment. We demand compliance. We forget that the dog in front of us is not choosing to be difficult—they are struggling.
In fact, research shows that up to 80% of behavioural cases seen by clinical behaviourists have a medical component (Mills et al., 2023). This includes not just musculoskeletal issues, but gastrointestinal discomfort, skin conditions, dental pain, and more. These conditions can be subtle, invisible to the naked eye, and easily missed in a quick vet check—especially when dogs are stressed and masking their pain.
A simple, affordable pain trial—involving short-term use of pain relief under veterinary guidance—can offer invaluable insight. And yet, in so many cases, this basic step is skipped entirely.
Dogs are bouncing in and out of rescues, rehomed, labelled as aggressive or unmanageable, when in reality their needs were never fully understood. And it's not just rescues—even the most loving homes can struggle to read the signs. We often lack the knowledge or the time. Our lives are rushed, our routines stretched, and our dogs are expected to ride along beside us without ever struggling.
We punish behaviours we don’t understand. We mistake barking for bad manners. We label reactivity as "dominance" instead of recognising it as the fear it often is. And behind so many of these behaviours is a dog asking for space, safety, comfort, or relief.
We also underestimate the lasting impact of poor socialisation, especially in early life. Puppies who are not gently and consistently exposed to the world around them before 12 weeks of age may develop lifelong sensitivities and fear responses. Dr. Frank McMillan's research on commercially raised puppies shows a strong link between poor early life experiences and aggression in later life. And yet, we still delay socialisation until after full vaccination, missing the window entirely.
Safe socialisation doesn't require off-lead dog parks. It can involve sitting in the car and watching the world, gentle exposure from a sling or carrier, or observing new people from a safe distance while being rewarded with a treat. These small steps can shape a resilient adult dog.
So, what can we do?
We can ask more questions about behaviour instead of making assumptions.
We can normalise pain trials for dogs with unexplained or escalating behaviours.
We can stop reaching for punishment and start reaching for understanding.
We can encourage thoughtful, early socialisation in puppies—before the world becomes something to fear.
We can recognise that aggression is communication, not rebellion.
Dogs give us everything. They ask for very little in return: safety, comfort, understanding, and time. They deserve our curiosity, not our control. They deserve to be listened to when they speak—even if it’s with a growl.
Because behind every "problem dog" is a dog with a problem. And it’s time we finally started looking a little deeper.