Why did my dog suddenly become aggressive/irritable?
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👁 4138 views 💬 48 replies Nutrition & Diet
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Expert Answer
Causes include pain or discomfort, anxiety or fear, lack of exercise or stimulation, and diet. Relieve pain or anxiety first; a bored, under-exercised dog may turn restless—burn off energy.
Unmet basic needs like no food can also make a dog angry and irritable.
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Pet Owner Experience
My dog turned snappy when he had a hidden toothache, so pain is my first suspect when a sweet dog gets irritable. Boredom and no exercise do it too, a tired dog is a calmer dog. Check him over for soreness, up his walks and play, and see if diet's off. If the grumpiness is sudden and unexplained, a vet check rules out discomfort, because you can't train away pain-driven aggression.