Is your puppy aggressive?
Learn whether your puppy's little quirks are just playful or signs of early aggression and get personalized tips to guide them toward confident, happy behavior.
Quiz Transcript
Is your puppy aggressive?
Learn whether your puppy's little quirks are just playful or signs of early aggression and get personalized tips to guide them toward confident, happy behavior.
How does your puppy usually react when meeting new dogs?
My puppy growls or snaps if the other dog gets too close or moves suddenly.
My puppy sniffs the other dog, wags its tail, and stays relaxed while greeting.
My puppy circles nervously or barks a little, but calms down quickly.
My puppy lunges, barks loudly, or tries to chase the other dog away.
1 / 5
Your walking your puppy on a leash, they:
Spin, snap, or bark making it hard to continue the walk.
Bark, lunge, or stiffen whenever another dog comes near.
They walk calmly by my side, even when other dogs or people pass.
They pull a little or bark at another dog, but settle when redirected.
2 / 5
Someone tries to take a toy or treat away from your puppy. How do they respond?
My puppy growls softly but lets it go when prompted.
My puppy stiffens, growls loudly, or moves away to guard the item.
My puppy snaps, barks, or tries to bite to protect the possession.
My puppy drops it or shares it without hesitation.
3 / 5
How does your puppy act when a new person enters the home?
They hang back at first, maybe barking once, but approaches when encouraged.
They lunge, bark, and sometimes snap to warn the person away.
They wag their tail, sniff around, and wait to be pet.
They may bark or growl but pace until they feel more comfortable.
4 / 5
Which sounds most like your puppy when you're training or playing with them?
They growl, snap at toys, or try to get away from me.
They stay engaged and follows cues, even if a game or exercise is challenging.
They get very tense and refuse to participate.
Sometimes they lose focus briefly, but return to the activity when redirected.
5 / 5
You scored a 0
Calm and Confident Puppy
Your puppy is showing excellent social skills and emotional balance, which means you're doing a great job guiding them through their early experiences. Your puppy responds well to basic cues, plays nicely with others, and rarely shows signs of tension or aggression. To keep this momentum, continue reinforcing positive behaviors, offering consistent boundaries, and gradually introducing new environments or challenges. Even confident puppies benefit from regular mental stimulation—it keeps their brains sharp and prevents frustration that can sometimes lead to aggression.
You scored a 4
Curious but Occasionally Reactive
Your puppy is mostly well-behaved but shows some moments of tension or reactivity, which tells me you're aware and responsive to their cues. Your puppy might bark, growl, or stiffen in certain situations, but with guidance, these moments are manageable. Focus on teaching clear communication, practicing desensitization exercises, and rewarding calm responses. Small, consistent training sessions, rather than long, sporadic ones, can make a huge difference in turning these reactive moments into confident behaviors.
You scored a 8
Testing Limits and Boundaries
Your puppy is exploring the world with curiosity and sometimes pushes boundaries, which is a natural stage of development that shows you're noticing and managing their behavior. Your puppy might show signs of aggression when feeling uncertain or when resources are at stake, but you can start implementing structured training techniques, setting predictable routines, and seeking guidance on managing triggers. Proactive training today—rather than reacting to misbehavior later—can prevent aggression from becoming a habit and strengthen your bond in the process.
You scored a 12
Aggression Awareness Needed
Your puppy is showing more pronounced signs of aggression, which tells me you're at a crucial stage for intervention to keep everyone safe and happy. Your puppy may bark, growl, or snap in various situations, but the great news is that you can take effective steps to guide them toward positive behaviors. Consult expert resources, implement behavior modification strategies, and use management tools to prevent escalation. Early, consistent, and compassionate intervention can transform aggression into confidence and trust, giving your puppy the best start in life.
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