Ladder of aggression

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The ladder of aggression is an illustrated summary of the gestures your dog may use when he is feeling stressed or threatened

The gestures are designed to avert threat and so to avoid escalation towards aggression;
The gestures on the ladder are designed to avert threat and so avoid escalation towards aggression.

The gestures shown on the lower rungs of the ladder, such as yawning, putting ears back and raising a paw, meaning “I am feeling worried – don’t threaten me – please calm down”.

Those on the higher rungs of the ladder, such as growling, snapping and biting mean “ Stop! Leave me alone right now!”Understanding the meaning of these gestures and encouraging your family members to be more aware of them will help avoid the last resort of aggression.