Understanding your dog is very important to his well being. Taking care of him is actually so much more than just feeding him, walking him, and playing with him. It is also protecting him. Understand though, that there may be times in which you will not be able to protect him. One of the most prominent times that you will not be able to protect him is when he is displaying dog to dog aggression.

There are several reasons that he will show dog to dog aggression. One of the biggest reasons is if he is feeling threatened or if his alpha status is being jeopardized. It is always important for your dog to feel that he is the next in line to be leader other than you. Often, other animals will feel the same way and feel that your dog is invading on their territory. This will cause them to attempt to show the dominance. They will show this in a variety of ways. One way can be circling around each other while staring each other down, the hair raising on the back of their necks and growling and in extreme situations, then they may attack. If this happens, get out of the way. Do not get between the animals. This can be dangerous for you.

If your dog displays this form of aggression, you need to get back and do not try to get between them. If the aggression does not get past the circling, try to get him away gently. Try calling to him or whistling to him with a familiar sound. Just as displaying his dominance is important, it is just as important to him that he does not upset you if he has respect for you. However, if he has no respect for you, then you have a serious problem. You are ultimately the alpha dog to him if you have done your job correctly. But remember, he is next on the hierarchy. It will be equally important for him to show his dominance just as it was important for you to show your dominance when you brought him into your home.

Remember the tricks that you learned to train him to be a friend and partner to you. Some of these tricks may work to break him away from a potentially volatile situation. If it does not look like either of the animals is going to lunge at each other, then get him to come with you. But be careful that the other dog does not attack when your back is turned. The other animal will feel that he won the battle and can still show that he is the dominant one. But it may not come to that. Often, if your dog is sure of his alpha dominance, the aggression can subside quickly and without a threat. Often one or the other of the dogs will walk away from the situation diverting possible aggression.

Dog on dog aggression is a natural thing, although it can be scary to watch. Make sure that you are out of harms way if this situation happens. You need to let them find out who is the alpha to stop the aggression. But it is all about respect as well. If your dog does not respect you, then seek help because aggressive behavior can get worse and possibly dangerous to you or other people.