Understanding Aggression

                      

Growling, snarling, nipping and biting are all considered aggressive behaviors and should be taken very seriously.

Restrain, Contain and Train First Step: Owners must commit to being S.A.F.E.

Safety

Steps must be taken to keep people safe from injury. Depending on the severity of the aggression, this may include the dog wearing a muzzle. Also, fences should be re-evaluated to be sure no one will be injured while the dog is outside. Some aggressive dogs are not appropriate for tie-outs, invisible or low fences.

If children are involved, it is important to first decide if you are willing to put your children at risk of a dog bite. If the answer is no, you are welcome to contact our office to discuss your options of placing your dog.

Acceptance

Accept that your dog has limitations. Accept that there is more responsibility, liability and work involved when owning a dog with aggressive tendencies.

Family

Discuss with your family whether they are committed to enforce the strict guidelines and training. I.E. Dog is not allowed on sofas or beds and the dog must wear a muzzle when in a situation where he may bite. Managing aggressive behavior cannot be done halfway.

Education

Educate yourself about aggression and begin the training that will help you successfully manage the behavior.

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Did you know?

• A higher incidence of aggression problems are found with dogs that come from pet stores or irresponsible breeders.
  
• Unpredictable family dogs inflict thousands of dog bites every year. Unfortunately, their victims are usually children.
  
• The Dog Training Company believes that aggressive dog should not live with children because of the risk of injury.
  
• Accepting aggression as a normal part of life or ignoring it, even if it is not frequent, is an accident waiting to happen.
  
• Every time a dog growls and is not appropriately corrected (this does not mean yelling/hitting) the dog gains a feeling of confidence which will perpetuate the behavior.
  
• Aggressive behavior is not curable, however it can be managed.
  
• A percentage of unpredictable dogs cannot be helped and are tragically euthanized.

 

Separating FACT From Fiction

• Myth
  “My dog can’t be aggressive; she growls but only snapped once and besides, she is so sweet most of the time.”
• Fact
  Most aggressive dogs are wonderful 95% of time, however during the other 5%, they will growl and/or bite. These dogs are labeled “unpredictable”. Most dog bites come from unpredictable dogs. Every time the dog growls she is sending a warning, ‘I’m gonna bite, maybe not now, but in the future."
• Myth
  A dog's temperament is all according to how you raise him.
• Fact
  Although love will have a positive effect on your dog, temperament is 60% hereditary. Nasty sires and dams make nasty puppies. Note: Aggressive behavior is first evident usually between 4 months and 18 months. Earlier in severe cases.
• Myth
  Most aggressive dogs have been abused.
• Fact
  This is not true. Most aggressive dogs are victims, however, they are victims of poor breeding, lack of socialization, lack of strict guidelines or obedience training and/or environmental influences.
• Myth
  My puppy will grow out of this behavior.
• Fact
  Aggressive behavior will steadily intensify over the years without early true obedience training.
  Dogs may have their first serious bite between ages 18 months and 4 years.
• Myth
  It's OK to encourage my dog to growl so he can protect my family.
• Fact
  This is a confused and dangerous idea. There is a world of difference between a professionally trained guard dog and an aggressive, overprotective dog. The main difference is: people who encourage this behavior in the dog allow the dog to make the decision, the dog will eventually make the wrong decision! i.e. When your child's new friend comes in wearing a baseball hat and your dog bites him because he felt he was intruder. Never encourage this behavior!

Types of Aggression

Possession Aggression

Some of the sweetest dogs can transform in an instant into Cujo when you go near food or possessions they value. When approached, most possessive aggressive dogs will stop and watch, with their ears back and an intense look in their eye. They may grab the object, give a low growl and bare their teeth, snapping when the object is taken from them. This type of aggression maybe a combination of genetics, a strong natural predatory instinct, territorial instinct, lack of early training and/or dominance.

Dominance Aggression

Dogs that are overly dominant feel as if they are the alpha dog of the pack or at least has a higher rank than others in the home. They will assert "leadership" on issues pertaining to food, possessions, various aspects of territory, or correction. This type of aggression is usually directed at the family, the dog's pack. It is not uncommon for a dominant aggressive dog to be very friendly with company and the veterinarian. However, some dominant aggressive dogs do also display this behavior towards others outside of the family. Aggressive behavior involving bullying and threats of biting is the way dominant dogs show they do not like what is going on at the moment. This type of aggression maybe a combination of characteristics of a breed, genetics, lack of strict guidelines and/or lack of true obedience training.

Fear Aggression

This aggression ranges from shy dogs to dogs that are overly fearful. This type of aggression is usually not directed at the family because fear dogs are happy when they are with familiar people and surroundings. Overly fearful dogs have an uncontrollable feeling of insecurity and fear and may bite with no warning, this is a severe problem. Shy dogs may bite from an irrational act of self defense when they are frightened. The classic signs of a fearful dog are: they may seek out a person they know or retreat under an object or back up into a corner, tail between the legs, ears flat with their head down. If pursued, cornered or if they feel threatened either by a person, place or situation they may bite. This type of aggression maybe a combination of genetics, inadequate socialization, lack of early true obedience training and/or excessive yelling/punishment.

Territorial or Overprotection Aggression

This aggression is sometimes encouraged by misguided owners. Owners feel good that their dog is "protecting" their family, when he growls at the mailman coming up the walkway. Unfortunately, these same dogs who have been encouraged to protect the family end up biting a friendly stranger or one of their child's friends. Developing aggressiveness in young dogs without complete true obedience and discipline is like giving a child a loaded gun. When rewarded for this behavior, it is only a short step to encouraging dogs to bite someone. Never allow your dog to determine who is friend or foe; they will eventually make the wrong decision with possible devastating consequences. If a family is truly looking for a guard dog, they need to purchased a trained guard dog, although this is not something we recommend. This type of aggression maybe a combination of genetics, inadequate socialization, lack of early true obedience training and/or owner encouragement. These dogs are not appropriate for chain link or invisible fences, or being off-leash.

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The Hard Truth

Unfortunately, unpredictable/aggressive dogs do not have many options as far as other places to live. It is not fair to give the dog to another family where the dog could injure someone and shelter or rescue groups most likely will not take this type of dog for the same reason.

No-kill shelters, junkyards or living outside are not a humane option because dogs are companion animals. Living a solitary life outside or in a cage void of frequent human interaction, would be madding for a dog. Unless a dog can stay in the home with the family being committed to working with the aggression, in many cases, euthanasia is the only answer. Prevention is the key!