American culture is dog-obsessed.

But when your dog typically cuddly dog starts acting aggressive, however, it can come as a surprise.

Consider that someone could get hurtincluding your dogand there might even be legal repercussions.

Your landlord could force you out, or a court could even order your dog be put down.

When I get an email, I have learned to tally read between the lines, she says.

Nipping is biting, so thats one way that people minimize it.

Another way is they will simply omit things.

Theyll say their dog gets excited.

Theyll use a lot of euphemisms like that.

Get rid of your shame and embarrassment now.

You didnt cause this.

(Well get into some of the factors that likelydidin a minute.)

Aggression is not debatable, she adds.

By their posters and actionsthis has been studied for yearsthats an aggressive dog.

There is no going around that.

Thats one of the first things I tell my clients.

The other thing Shusterich tells them?

An aggressive dog is not the opposite of a good dog.

Every dog has aggression.

Every person has aggression.

Figure out whats causing the problem

Dogs arent aggressive 24/7, Shusterich says.

There are specific times theyre aggressive.

Youll know aggression by your dogs body language, which is not the same as a persons, butispredictable.

Look at other dog owners in your vicinity.

If theyre pulling their dog away from your dog, what threat are they noticing that youre not?

Is it the hard stare or raised fur?

Is your dog baring their teeth at the other pet?

Leash aggression is particularly common in urban tweaks, Shusterich says, so keep that in mind.

What to doand not do

Weve already established that your dogs aggression is not your fault.

The real cause is dependent on a number of factors.

After that, youre going to be fighting against the tide.

Its not like it cant be fixed, but that periods over.

Sometimes, they dont even know.

Socialization, Shusterich says, is one of those internet phrases that means nothing.

Its not a socialization period.

It should go without saying, but kindly dont helicopter your dog.

Seek out a behaviorist and be totally honest about whats been going on.

No one advertises when their pet isnt picture-perfect, but that doesnt mean this is uncommon.

What you’re free to do right now is mitigate risk.

Dont force a leash aggressive dog to walk by another dog in the street.

Dont exacerbate the fear your animal already feels in the situations where theyve demonstrated theyre uncomfortable.

Its cruel to the dog, dangerous to everyone else, and an actual liability for you.

You made a commitment to this dog when you got them, and dont forget that.

Let that dog have every chance at a good life.

Like Shusterich says, a dogs aggression does not disqualify them from being a good dog.