Rat Terriers aggression! Some people wonder if Rat Terriers are aggressive. They most likely want to know before adopting one. Yes, it’s a wonderful idea to inquire! Everything will be covered in this post, so keep reading…
Before we go any further in this post, we’ll go through the most common causes of Rat Terrier aggression and possible solutions. To begin, let’s address the subject of whether Rat Terriers are aggressive.
So, are Rat Terriers aggressive? Rat Terriers are not normally aggressive, but if they are not properly socialized from an early age, they can become aggressive toward strangers and animals.
Rat Terriers Aggression
Rat Terriers are not other aggressive, but can develop this aggressive behavior if they’re not properly trained and socialized at a young age.
This aggression can be seen as; Fear aggression, illnesses and injury aggression, possessiveness, a show of dominance aggression, territorial aggression, etc.
When Rat Terriers exhibit aggression toward the member of the family, strangers, and other pets in the house, something must have abrupt this behavior.
It could be due to improper training or something relatively has caused it.
Therefore, let’s go on and sort out those causes of aggression in them…
The following are things that trigger aggression in Rat Terriers:
1. Rat Terriers can be aggressive due to fear.
If at all Rat Terriers become aggressive all of a sudden, fear can be the cause.
When they are in, they can exhibit aggressive behavior toward anything.
This cause of aggression in Rat Terriers can only be when they sense danger and can not run away, and the only option is to defend themselves.
Really the cause of this fear aggression is when a Rat terrier feels that there is no way out when cornered and along the line thinks there’s no help and no means of escape there’s no option he has but to show aggression.
Again, improperly socialized Rat Terriers as a puppy is what can trigger aggression in Rat Terriers without our knowledge.
At a time you start noticing that they are always out of control, displaying too much fearful behavior, feeling neglected, and experiencing traumatic event more than usual.
Since Rat Terriers can become aggressive due to fear, we limit the way we expose them to unknown things and this aggressive behavior in them gets reduced.
2. Rat Terriers are prone to possessive aggression.
The reason why Rat Terriers are prone to possessive aggression.
This act of possessiveness in them is the way we are mingling with them, including other pets that want to get close to them.
Rat Terriers will appear to be aggressive because they seem to have everything desirable for them and are ready to protect their interest in those favorites they like.
They are possessive in aggression because they will not be happy to see anyone do away with those favorites they like and are eager to keep in their lifetime.
Such as chewing toys, foods, treats, meat, etc.
Rat Terrier’s prone to possessive aggression is encouraging when it comes to dealing with their survival with other animals, but not humans.
3. Rat Terriers can exhibit protective or territorial aggression.
In order to protect their environment or territory, Rat Terriers can become aggressive, if anything tempts them to tamper.
If your Rat Terrier exhibits this type of aggression, protective aggression the cause of it is that other animals or pets around are trying to interfere with their favorite.
Again they can transfer this protective aggression to those that are not familiar to them and other animals around their territory will be their point of action.
Rat Terriers can be aggressive and exhibit protective aggression in order to protect their family members’ property toward anything that comes across.
Early socialization can help prevent this type of Protective aggression in your Rat Terrier, and able to be in control of your Rat Terrier whenever you notice such behavior.
4. Rat Terriers can be aggressive due to frustration.
Rat Terrier’s aggressiveness can be out of frustration, which can lead to redirected aggression or barrier frustration.
You can observe this behavior in your Rat Terrier, because of their energetic nature.
And when they are not able to meet their chances of getting something, they will totally become frustrated and redirect it to aggression.
Most times, this aggression due to frustration is always noticed when you frequently limit their way of moving around and exploring their environment.
Rat Terriers are hunters in nature, so if you dear tie them up and restrain their movement on a leash or behind a chain-link fence, they will definitely become aggressive due to frustration.
Since Rat Terriers can display aggressive behavior, in this case, we should put things correctly and rule out fear, and take corrective measures toward their behavior.
5. Rat Terriers are prone to Sexual-related aggression.
The reason why Rat Terriers are prone to Sexual-related aggression is this. Though, this type of aggression is common when two dogs are about to mate.
This type of aggression can be observed when you see your Rat Terrier competing with another male dog and chasing one female dog for mating.
Sexual-related aggression can also be observed when you see your Rat Terrier trying to overcome the female dog and mate with her, and they’re fighting over it.
You can also observe this type of aggression in your Rat Terrier when two females are competing for his attention, and vice versa.
6. Rat Terriers are prone to redirected aggression.
The reason why Rat Terriers are prone to redirected aggression is that maybe they are busy chasing their rat and someone from nowhere come to interfere.
In such cases, Ratties will become aggressive and redirect the aggression from the moment they are busy chasing their rat to whoever comes to interfere.
Also, in a situation like this if you find your Rat Terrier fighting or chasing an animal, and you break up he might redirect this aggression toward you, and you end up biting.
So, you should be careful when you see your Rat Terrier fighting, and if you go ahead to push them aside they might redirect that aggression and turn to bite you.
Rat Terriers can be prone to redirected aggression when they are two barking at someone behind a fence and redirect the aggression toward themselves.
This redirected aggression can equally occur between your female Rat Terriers and male Rat Terriers, and it is also common in puppies and adults.
7. Rat Terriers are prone to pain-elicited aggression.
The reason why Rat Terriers are prone to pain-elicited aggression is that when in pain, they can be aggressive to anybody.
Meanwhile, when you see that your Rat Terrier is in pain, you have to be careful enough the way you’re touching the injured place.
Whether you are trying to treat your Rat Terrier with this pain in him that doesn’t mean he won’t bite you even if it’s a little warning bite.
Your Rat Terrier might develop this pain on them when we don’t take our good time to make use of these pieces of training equipment on them like, pinch or prong collar, and shock collar on them.
Rat Terriers, both male and female can exhibit pain-elicited aggression and will also be found in their puppies and adult Ratties.
8. Rat Terriers are prone to play-related aggression.
In this type of aggression, most especially if you have a young Rat Terrier, this play-related aggression is commonly found in them, and they are ready to exhibit this aggression to anyone in the family and other pets around.
You can notice This play-related aggression in your Rat Terrier when they start playing, grabbing overly with you, biting and nipping at people even their clothes.
With that said, this Play-related aggression in Rat Terriers could be good behavior in one aspect but if care is not taken could lead to a serious injury.
Therefore, this play-related aggression in Rat Terriers should be put in place immediately, otherwise if overlooked could lead to other control-related problems that can trigger aggression if they grow.
9. Rat Terriers are prone to dominance-related aggression.
The reason why Rat Terriers are prone to dominance-related aggression is that while in their territory, they would like to show dominance because they are energetic.
And they will continue with this dominance-related aggression not only to their follow dogs but to the human because he’s a pack animal.
This dominance-related aggression in Rat Terriers is actually a behavior that can be handled by exposing them to dog training, as it’s not a personality trait.
Here Rat Terriers full of energy in them will always display this dominance-related aggression which is the behavior that determines and proves how dominant they’re in their territory.
10. Rat Terriers are prone to social conflict-related aggression.
This social conflict-related aggression in Rat Terriers is the aggression they inflict between us, other people in society, and they’re followed canine.
In this scenario, if your Rat Terrier is acting aggressively toward someone or a stranger in our society, this is not social conflict-related aggression.
By the time your Rat Terrier is acting aggressively within the environment and other people around them, he’s familiar with, the owner and other pets in the house this is social conflict-related aggression.
In this social conflict-related aggression. Rat Terriers will dominate and be eager to act aggressively toward anything that is trying to share their property with them.
This time around you used to sleep with him in the bed, but all of a sudden the character changed overnight.
And he will be looking for the means to bite in order to claim everything both of you are sharing together.
Signs Your Rat Terrier Is Getting Aggressive
Here are signs that your Rat Terrier is getting aggressive toward anything around them:
- Growling and snapping
- Showing teeth
- A rigid body and quickly wagging tail
- Lip licking or yawning
- Averting gaze
- Raised fur
- Cowering and tail tucking
- Seeing whites of the eyes
- Becoming very still and rigid
- Guttural bark that sounds threatening
- Lunging forward or charging at the person with no contact
- Mouthing, as though to move or control the person, without applying significant pressure
- “Muzzle punch” (the dog literally punches the person with her nose)
How To Stop Aggression In Rat Terriers
The following below means we can apply to help solve this aggressive behavior in Rat Terriers;
- Most cases of fear aggression may be treated with behavior treatment, sometimes in conjunction with medication therapy.
- Always make an effort to establish a joyful, positive mindset for them.
- Make time for exercise whenever possible.
- Think about giving them medicine. Training alone may not be sufficient in some cases. Aggressive dogs may require medicine to help them cope with their behavior.
- Avoid punishing your Rat Terrier for aggressive behavior because this generally backfires and might worsen the aggression.
- Create a strategy; a behaviorist or trainer may assist you in determining the best method for dealing with your Rat Terrier’s aggressiveness.
- Contact a professional dog trainer or behaviorist, or ask your veterinarian for a reference.
- Always seek advice from your veterinarian.
According to AKC: Rough Play – Dog play can become intense, get loud, and appear aggressive.
FAQ
Do Rat Terriers get aggressive?
Yes, Rat Terriers can get aggressive toward family members or other animals if they are not properly socialized.
There are some factors that influence Rat Terriers to act aggressively; In most cases, it could be Fear-based aggression, Social or rivalry aggression, Territorial aggression, Possessive aggression, Pain-elicited aggression, Protective aggression, and Frustration aggression.
Are Rat Terriers protective of their owners?
Rat Terriers can be protective of their owners. They adore their owners and have a lot of energy and social skills.
As they are loyal to their masters, Rat Terriers are ready to protect you and your family from outsiders or to be aggressive toward them.
Ratties will also become a buddy for kids when they grow up in the house with them and would desire to defend them at all costs.
Do Rat Terriers make good family pets?
Yes, of course, Rat Terriers do make good family pets. The reason for this is that they will serve as your home’s protection, chase rodents out of your home, and provide you with a steady supply of hugs that fight social isolation.
Rat Terriers also provide unconditional affection and emotional support.
They will exhort us to go on long walks on the sidewalk and to exercise.
Yes, ratties will make us more sociable, since they provide us the chance to engage and have conversations with members of our community as we walk with them.
Related articles:
Rat Terrier Behavior Problems.
