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Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | 4 years and 6 months old | 45 lbs
Why is my dog excessively aggressive towards my family members especially my little cousin who's just 2 years old? How can I stop my dog from growling and biting unnecessarily?
2 Answers

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on March 18th, 2019
Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on January 23rd, 2020
Unfortunately, it is difficult to advise in a situation like this because I cannot observe the body language. Canine aggression is a complex behavior as it can stem from dominance, possessiveness, fear, anxiety, resource guarding or a combination. Most people are not familiar with reading canine body language and training. Because of this, I recommend to work with a professional trainer. Researching on your own will also be helpful. Familiarizing yourself with canine body language and dog training can help you to recognize what your pet is trying to say. You can find many books written on the topic and there is a trainer named Victoria Stilwell who I think is particularly helpful.
Neutering Leo may help but it is not likely to completely fix the problem. Intact dogs are generally more aggressive than altered pets. Best of luck.
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