Is My Dog Aggressive — Or Just Untrained?

It’s one of the most common—and stressful—questions dog owners ask.

What many people call ‘aggression’ is actually reactivity—an overreaction to triggers like dogs, people, or environments.

When a dog barks, lunges, or reacts intensely on leash, it can look like aggression. But in reality, many of these behaviors come from reactivity, lack of training, or unmet needs — not true aggression.