Fear-based aggression is the most common form of aggression in dogs and reflects compromised welfare requiring behaviour modification rather than punishment.
Dogs showing fear-based aggression are in a state of chronic or acute fear. Their aggression is a communication of distress, not dominance. Punishing fear-based aggression suppresses the warning behaviour while leaving the underlying fear intact, increasing unpredictable biting risk. The welfare approach recognises that aggression signals poor quality of life and treats it as a welfare problem to be addressed through environmental management, counter-conditioning, and when needed medication. Dogs with severe fear-based aggression require compassionate assessment.