9 Reasons Australian Shepherds Are Aggressive + What To Do

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Perhaps you’ve come in contact with an aggressive australian shepherd or are thinking about adopting an aussie and doing a bit of research first. Is it normal for australian shepherds to be aggressive or are they typically well behaved?

Are Australian Shepherds Aggressive:

While australian shepherds are known for being fun loving, friendly breeds, if they’re treated poorly they can become aggressive, just like any other breed. Things that can make an australian shepherd become aggressive are abuse, neglect, fear, or lack of socialization.

In this post you’ll discover:

9 real reasons why australian shepherds become aggressive
6 warning signs of an aussie becoming aggressive
5 tips to help australian shepherds not be aggressive (Tip #3 is the best way to prevent aggression!)
And much more

Let’s jump right in.

Table of Contents

9 Reasons Why Australian Shepherds Become Aggressive

1) Neglect

Neglect can be shown in a variety of ways.

It can be in the form of your pup not getting any love or attention, or it can be by not providing their basic necessities like food, water and opportunities to go to the bathroom.

Aussies are considerably social animals who thrive on companionship.

Without it, they can become anxious and stressed, which can lead to aggression.

Not only this, but if they feel like food is scarce they may start food guarding and being aggressive around any kind of food.

2) In Pain

If your aussie is in pain, they may become aggressive as a way to protect themselves.

Oftentimes, dogs will hide their pain because they don’t want to appear weak in front of their pack (aka you).

But if they’re hurting, there’s a good chance they may let you know it through aggression.

This kind of aggression is coming from a place of defense rather than anger.

They want to keep themselves safe as they feel more vulnerable when in pain and unable to move around as they normally would.

Related Reading: Top 8 Best Beds For Australian Shepherds

3) Certain Illnesses

Just as people can become short tempered when they’re not feeling well, australian shepherds can become more aggressive as well.

One of the most well known illnesses that cause dogs to become aggressive is rabies.

But there are plenty of other illnesses that can cause your aussie to become aggressive.

Conditions like hypothyroidism, liver or heart disease, tumors/cancer, or hormonal imbalances.

If your pup has been acting off in addition to their sudden aggression it’s a good idea to take them to the vet to have them looked at.

4) Too Much Pent Up Energy

Australian shepherds are a high energy breed.

An aussie that is kept inside all day will get bored, lonely and potentially destructive.

They require at least 1 hour of exercise each day with plenty of mental stimulation.

If they don’t get enough of either one of these things, they can become frustrated which can lead to aggression.

This is why it’s so important to make sure your pup is getting plenty of walks, runs, and playtime.

You might even want to consider dog sports or agility courses to help burn off some of that extra energy.

Without an outlet to burn off their excess energy your aussie may unfortunately turn to aggression.

Related Reading: 12 Best Harnesses For Australian Shepherds

5) Fear

Dogs can become aggressive out of fear just like people.

If they’re scared for any reason, they may lash out as a way to protect themselves from whatever it is that’s frightening them.

This could be anything from loud noises to unfamiliar people or animals.

An unsocialized aussie is particularly prone to this kind of aggression because they’re bred to be working dogs and are very protective by nature.

If your aussie is acting aggressively out of fear, it’s important to try and help them overcome their fears rather than punish them for their behavior.

This can be done by slowly exposing them to whatever it is they’re afraid of in a controlled and safe environment.

6) Lack Of Socialization

If your aussie hasn’t been properly socialized, they may become aggressive as they grow older.

Socialization is key in helping your pup learn how to interact with other dogs and people in a positive way.

Without it, they may be more likely to view other animals and humans as a threat which can lead to aggression.

Australian shepherds have an increased likelihood of becoming aggressive if they don’t socialize enough because of their protective nature.

It’s instinctive for them to want to protect their family and if they don’t get exposure to different dogs, people and situations when they’re young they can become aggressive.

7) Abuse

Unfortunately, some aussies are abused by their owners which can lead to aggression.

Dogs that are physically abused often become aggressive as a way to protect themselves.

They may also lash out if they’re afraid of being hurt again.

If your aussie is acting aggressively and you suspect they may have been abused, it’s important to get them help from a professional as soon as possible.

Abuse can cause long lasting psychological damage that can be difficult to overcome without help.

8) Not Enough Training

Training is super important, not only to teach proper behavior in an australian shepherd, but to also establish yourself as their leader.

When aussies don’t get proper training and are unsure who’s the alpha it can cause them to feel anxious and even aggressive in many different situations.

If they know you’re the leader, they understand that you’ll take care of them and don’t feel the need to act out.

This is why it’s so important to make sure you’re providing your aussie with consistent training from an early age.

It will not only help prevent aggression, but also many other behavioral problems.

9) Careless Breeding

Unfortunately, some breeders (or puppy mills) will neglect or even abuse their dogs.

Which can create a scary environment or cause undesirable traits in the puppy that are passed down from their parents.

This is why it’s so important to do your research before you buy a puppy and only buy from a reputable breeder who takes the time to properly care for their dogs.

If you suspect your aussie may be aggressive due to careless breeding, there are many things you can do to help socialize and train them.

But, it’s important to understand that it may be an uphill battle and you’ll need to be patient.

6 Warning Signs Of Australian Shepherd Aggression

To protect you, your australian shepherd and anyone around you, it’s important to know the warning signs of aggression.

While some warning signs are quite obvious, others are more subtle and easy to miss if you don’t know what you look out for.

Here are 6 of the most common warning signs of aggression in australian shepherds:

Ears pinned back resting against their head
Overall stiffening of their body
Showing their teeth and gums
Direct eye contact
Quiet growling that gradually becomes louder and turning into a threatening sounding bark
Snapping at a distance

Top 5 Tips To Help Australian Shepherds Not Be Aggressive

1) Limit Exposure To Triggers

Until your aussie learns how to not be so aggressive in whatever situations seem to cause their aggression it’s best to limit their exposure to these situations.

Over time, give them exposure to their triggers in a safe, controlled environment to help them overcome their negative feelings.

Eventually they’ll become desensitized to their trigger and learn how to properly behave in those situations.

*Important note: You want to make sure you’re not giving them praise, treats or toys when they’re being aggressive in an attempt to calm them down. This will only teach them that their aggressive behavior is good and they should continue acting this way.

2) Increase Daily Exercise

Aussies are high energy dogs that need a lot of exercise.

If they’re not getting enough physical and mental stimulation it can lead to all sorts of behavioral problems, including aggression.

Try to increase their daily exercise by taking them on more/longer walks, runs, playing fetch or other interactive games.

Australian shepherds need at least 60 minutes of good physical activity each day in order to stay physically and mentally healthy.

If you’re giving your pup 2 walks every day, they may need more stimulation than these slow paced walks to get rid of their pent up energy.

3) Plenty Of Socializing

It’s important for australian shepherds to get plenty of socialization with as many different dogs and people when they’re young.

If they don’t they may become aggressive from jealousy, being over protective, or simply because they don’t know how to properly behave around unfamiliar dogs and people.

But when they are exposed to many different animals, people and situations they learn how to be well behaved in many different environments.

4) Use Best Practice Training Techniques

Using aversive training techniques such as shock collars, prong collars or hitting/kicking your australian shepherd will only increase the chances they’re aggressive.

Instead, you should use best practice training techniques that focus on positive reinforcement.

Such as rewarding your dog for good behavior with treats, affection and praise.

These types of training methods are much more effective in teaching your dog how you want them to behave.

Plus they don’t run the risk of making your aussie aggressive.

5) Take Them To See a Vet

If your australian shepherd is exhibiting any type of new aggressive behavior it’s best to take them to see a vet.

There could be an underlying medical problem causing their aggressive behavior that needs to be addressed.

For example, if your pup is constantly growling and snapping at people it could be due to a dental problem causing them pain when someone touches their head.

Having a vet take a look at them will help you know if it’s a behavioral issue or something health related that needs to be treated.

Other posts you might find interesting:

7 Indicators Your Australian Shepherd Is Depressed + Tips

9 Reasons Australian Shepherds Won’t Eat + 6 Helpful Tips

8 Reasons Your Australian Shepherd Is Scared Of Everything

Sources:

Australian Shepherd

Aggression