Glass Pet Door's Blog
Fear Aggression in Dogs
All animals have the same basic response to danger that humans do: fight, flight, or avoidance. Aggression in dogs is difficult for everyone from the owners, strangers who encounter them in the streets, and the dogs themselves. But what makes these dogs so aggressive? Here is some information on fear aggression in dogs, brought to you by our dog door experts .
What Is Fear Aggression?
There are many types of aggression in dogs, and most people immediately assume that a dog’s aggressiveness towards them or other dogs must be dominance-aggression. The most common culprit of a dog’s hostility, however, is actually fear aggression. Going back to the flight or fight response, if a dog is unable to get away from whatever they deem a threat to them they may have two reactions: submissive behavior or fighting back. Fear aggression is when a dog goes on the offense to intimidate someone or something they are feeling threatened by.
How Does Anxiety Relate to Fear Aggression?
Anxiety in dogs can trigger fear aggression even when there’s nothing for your dog to be afraid of. In fact, there’s evidence that anxiety governs and/or causes most types of aggression in dogs. Anxiety may not be immediately obvious in your dog’s aggression and can be easily overlooked, but it’s worth looking into to see if your dog may experience it.
Why Do Dogs Experience Fear Aggression?
Whether or not dogs experience fear aggression depends on their early years. Dogs who were not properly socialized around humans (apart from their owners) and other dogs are more likely to be afraid of strangers when they grow up. Puppies introduced early on to a diversity of sounds, sights, humans, and dogs are calmer and well adjusted as adults. Puppy training is crucial in preventing aggression later on. Dogs who were abused or subjected to punishment-based training by owners or trainers also have a high chance of developing fear aggression. Exposure to fear with no resolution is the root of the problem.
How Do You Know?
Fear aggression in dogs is often displayed by barks and growls, bared teeth and a threatening stance, but not all dogs with signs of fear aggression will bite. Many will only bark and growl when they’re scared, so you may not know they have fear aggression until they encounter something that frightens them. The difference between fear aggressive dogs and dominance-aggressive dogs is subtle but easy to spot when you know the difference. Dogs who are fear aggressive are more cowering than dogs who are dominance-aggressive, retreating away with ears pinned to their heads and teeth bared with an open mouth. Dominance-aggressive dogs are more upright and rigid with ears straight up, staring directly at the thing they deem dangerous. Fear aggressive dogs just want to get the threat to go away, dominance-aggressive dogs are trying to inflict damage. With either aggressiveness, it’s best to address the problem as soon as your dog exhibits any early signs–-growling, snapping, etc.–-before it can progress.
What Can Be Done?
Fear aggression can never be completely “cured”, but there are many ways to help manage and mitigate the condition. The fear and aggression may never disappear, but your dog can overcome the fears and learn to control their behavior. Consult your trainer and veterinarian for advice on how to help your dog find a solution.
Fear aggression is difficult to live with for both you and your dog. But even if aggression cannot be eliminated it can be reduced. With a steady vigilance and a loving hand, fear aggression can be combated. Do you have any questions? Contact Glass Pet Doors today to discuss dog door installation . We're happy to help!
What Our Customers Say
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Julie Wilson
All of us, especially the doggie, LOVE the door we got from Utah Pet Access. We’ve had the door for 2 plus years now and it’s still like brand new. Our pet door is on the north side of the house and we get lots of weather from wind and storms. Having the door has never been an issue. It’s a high quality product. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! -
Paula Chase
Utah Pet Access was so great to work with! My dog door was completed quicker than was estimated and with great customer service. My only regret, is I should have done it sooner! -
Lauren Michaud
Everyone I worked with was very professional and got things done in a timely manner. Me sad my pups are very happy with the door already! After about a week of practice, they were using it like champs. -
Lane Porter
They were super helpful .The door looks great and their follow up has been wonderful as well. -
Kirstin Anne Workman
I highly recommend Utah Pet Access. We received a dog door installation earlier this year and I cannot express how pleased I am with the product. Our rescue pup can now easily enter and exit our home without me needing to assist him. We also got the lockable door, which has also been very useful. The service was great and quick, and they have a great warranty on their product to ensure that if they are damaged or malfunction, they will fix/replace it. So far, we have not needed any fixes or repairs in it. Very happy with our purchase, and I would recommend them to anyone on the fence about it. -
Heather Singleton
My experience with Utah Pet Access was great! They responded to my questions in a timely manner, told me exactly what to measure, sent me invoice once they got the measurements, and then made it and sent it out. It came faster than they said and it was a perfect fit. The price was reasonable for being custom made. I would highly recommend Utah Pet access to anyone! -
Maureen Quinlan
Great team, prompt and friendly. The door looks perfect. Our little Wiggles loves her pet door. -
Demi Rainaldi
We have used Utah Pet Access at both of our houses. I love that they bring a new door with the doggie door cut into the glass and we get to keep our original glass. At our first house, we had to have a custom glass insert made because of the plastic pieces that were in the glass door. It was a perfect match to the rest of the door. This was great when we sold our house to give the new owners the option of putting in the old door. They are quick, easy to work with and very professional. I would highly recommend them! -
Shaleen Doctor
Best investment I’ve made! My dog loves the freedom of his new doggie door. -
Doug Maud’Dib
they did a great job. New pet door works well -
Monica Higgins
My puppy and I love the new doggy door. He loves being outside. This door gives him the Freedom to go in and out without me having to let him out and let him in. Utah Pet Access thank you so much. We love our doggy door! -
Jamie J
We love our Utah Pet Access dog door! It has been a game changer for our family! The company was great to work with. They showed up on time, were professional, and did a great job! -
Dan Ludlow
Great product, great service! -
Monica Acton
Their free in home estimate was great. All my concerns and questions were answered. Installation was quick and our pup loves her dog door! Couldn’t ask for a better experience -
Matthew Smith
I had a wonderful experience with Utah Pet Access. From the initial visit, to installation was magnificent. It did take a bit of time to get the door manufactured, but well worth the wait and my two golden doodle pups absolutely love it and so do I, well done Utah Pet Access. -
Emily Slater
We love our dog door that you installed in our sliding glass door. Great quality. Our dog loves it also. -
Connor
Very good experience. They installed my glass window door very quick and were very reasonably priced compared with other bids I received. I would recommend. -
Kim Grant
Fantastic service and a great pet door. Don’t be fooled by low-price dupes. We needed a sturdy door for heavy traffic by three large dogs. Very happy with responsiveness and professionalism. -
George Richards
Excellent installations and the tecnician was pleasant to work with. All in all we are avery pleased with the door and the service. -
Lindsey Hurst
We love our pet door from Utah pet access! They were so helpful, quick, and everything was very easy. I love that it locks and looks seamless with our door. -
Jessica Wian
Utah Pet Access installed a in glass pet door for me. I have had it a few months now and it has been amazing! -
Sandra Walton
We’ve had our doggy door for a few months now and we love it. The order for the door took a couple months but the installation was really fast. We are very pleased and would recommend Utah Pet Access if you are looking for a custom doggy door. -
holtkev
Utah Pet Access was amazing to work with. They respond in a timely manner and answered all of our questions. Thier product is simply awesome and we and our dog love it. -
Matthew Neighbour
Great product, very professional install. Looks great highly recommend. Staff were all freindly and didn’t mind the furbaby bothering the installer :) -
Big Changes
Great experience with Utah Pet Access. The owner and the employees are so patient and helpful. I originally thought we wanted a doggie door in the wall. There was only one spot that it would work since we have a lot of windows. The company installer came the day we scheduled the install and while at our house my husband and I changed our minds and wanted the glass door doggie access instead . The installer who is one of the owners was so patient and friendly. So instead of installing the wall doggie door he measured for the glass doggie door. We couldn’t be happier with how the whole experience went! We love the doggie door and so do our pups. -
ZJ Playz
After we had a new sliding door installed we looked at several options for a dog door. We settled on Utah Pet Access. They installed a dog door in both the glass door and screen. The entire process from initial bid to installation was excellent as us their finished product. Though there are other similar products are available online I like the idea Utah Pet Access comes out and takes the required measurements and they are local. If you’re needing a dog door I would highly recommend Utah Pet Access over a panel that installs between the door and frame. -
Angela Abel
Great service and product. The install was quick and great quality. I have had the door for several months now and it works fantastic. One dog struggled with my old bottom flap door but is much better with the middle swing opening. Thanks! -
Ana Esquibel
We ALL are really enjoying the dog door from Utah Pet Access! Including our two giant furbabies! It has made life much easier for us! Thanks Utah Pet for making things easier! -
Isaac Pugh
Utah Pet Access was awesome to work with, I highly recommend them to anyone looking to have a pet door added. The measuring process was super quick, the pros were very communicative on how long it would take to get our large glass section made, and when they could get it installed. Once it was ready the install pro came out and had everything finished within 30ish minutes! They even replaced the adhesive on my security sensor and reinstalled that on the door for me. Will definitely be using them again in the future! -
Rozie Riley
I am so pleased with my dog door. Trevor was amazing to work with. I am no longer a personal door greeter 24/7. Hallelujah! -
Tatia Beaslin
So glad we decided to have Utah Pet Access install a pet door in our glass patio door. It looks so classy and is so nice to not have to let Zoe in and out all day! The process was super easy and I was only without my patio door for about 20 minutes! I was shocked they could install it so quickly!!!! If you’re on the fence about a dog door — do it with Utah Pet Access! -
Miriam Armstrong
Thank you for helping Milo learn how to get through the doggie door! He is so confident at doing it now. -
Janae Thompson
Excellent quality, professional installation and looks great! Great communication and quality customer service. -
Kelly Hardman
Great service, excellent work! Highly recommend Utah Pet Access. -
Deanie Honsinger
Needed a door that my BIG pups could get out of. Changed the glass with a dog door in my single back door. Works great!!! -
Nathan Hulce
Great door for my dogs. Great service. -
Becky Lewis
Our dog absolutely loves his doggie door and we love how convenient it is. -
Korral Elg
We have two Great Danes and needed to have a dog door put into our glass door. It looked amazing and has worked fantastic. We’ve had it for almost a year and a half and have loved it -
Jenny D
We absolutely love our pet door!! The employees are very kind and pleasant to work with! I highly recommended them. -
Jane Rogers
I live in a condo on the 4th floor. I looked very hard to find a dog door for my 40 pound Bernedoodle to go out on my deck. I got some very expensive bids from glass companies, and then found Utah Pet Access! They are total PROS, and focused on this business. They were half the price and it is PERFECT and TOTAL QUALITY! Their people go the extra mile, too! My neighbors across the hall then purchased one for their little Cavalier. Great, great company!! -
Cindy Tenney
Amazing experience. Our installer was professional and efficient. We have been extremely pleased with our door. -
Ingrid Wilson
The pet door we got works wonderfully! This company was great to work with. They installed a temporary door for us while the permanent one was being made, and it really helped us out! -
Jenny Norton
We had moved to new house about 7 years ago and were unable to figure out a place to install a dog door. We found Utah Pet Access at a local show. They was able to replace and extend the glass area of our French door which included a very sturdy, great quality dog door. We have been very pleased with the final product and have recommended them to several friends -
Kevin Smart
We have used Utah Pet Access for dog doors twice. We were originally pointed to them by our sister. They did a great job with both installations. The first one was in glass and the second one was in a solid portion of the door. Both installations were excellent. I was originally concerned with putting a dog door in glass, but now, I see that if you limit the cut to the glass it is less expensive to restore to the original state (when you sell). Our new house has a solid door, so we would have to buy a new door if that time comes. UPA was fast and efficient. The door seal is good without any obvious leaks. They cleaned up well after the job. If I need another door, I would likely use them again.