Understanding Aggression

                      

The Truth about Aggressive Behavior
Growling, snarling, nipping and biting are all considered aggressive
behaviors, and should be taken very seriously.

#1 MYTH - “My dog can’t be aggressive; he growls but has only snapped once and besides, he is so sweet most of the time.”

FACT - Most aggressive dogs are wonderful 95% of the time, however, during the other 5% of the time and when in a certain circumstance, they will growl and/or bite. Aggression can be unpredictable, which raises the risk of injury. Most dog bites come from dogs with unpredictable aggressive behavior. Typically, a dog will growl for several months before actually biting. Growling is the warning, ‘I’m gonna bite, maybe not now, but in the future.’

 

Most common Types of Aggression

Dominance Aggression
Dogs that are overly dominant feel as if they are the 'Alpha ' dog of the pack or at least have a higher rank than others in the home. They will assert "dominance" on issues pertaining to food, possessions, and various aspects of territory or correction. This type of aggression is usually directed at the family, because the family is 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 may 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, and/or lack of leadership and obedience in the home.

 

Possession Aggression
Some of the sweetest dogs can transform into “Cujo” when you go near their valued food or possessions. When approached, most possessive aggressive dogs will stop and watch, with their ears back and an intense look in their eye (hard stare). They may grab the object, give a low growl and bare their teeth, snapping when the object is taken from them. This aggression is typically shown toward anyone in the home, including company. In more severe cases, it can happen when in environments outside the home. This type of aggression maybe a combination of genetics, a strong natural predatory instinct, territorial instinct, dominance and/or lack of leadership and obedience in the home.

Fear aggression
Fear aggression is the most difficult to manage because it comes from an irrational sense of threat.
This aggression ranges from shy dogs to dogs with severe character disorders. Severe character disorders burden dogs with insecurity, fear and biting with no warning. This is rarely correctable. Shy dogs may bite from an irrational act of self-defense when they are uncomfortable, especially when cornered or feel threatened either by a person or situation. There are also fear biters that show of a level confidence. Their aggression may first look like protection aggression but because it is based in fear it is more unpredictable. These dogs will show lunging, or barking when the person walks away. Fear aggression, unless severe, is rarely toward the family members in the home. Fear aggression will be displayed typically when the dog is away from the comforts of his people or home. This type of aggression in it’s severe form is most likely genetics and/or lack of proper nurturing in the first 6 weeks of life. In less severe cases it maybe a combination of genetics, lack of proper nurturing in the first 6 weeks of life and/or lack of leadership and obedience in the home.

Territorial or Overprotective Aggression
This aggression is sometimes encouraged by misguided owners. Owners feel good that their dog is "protecting" their family as the dog growls at the mailman coming up the walkway. Unfortunately, these same dogs that have been encouraged to protect the family end up biting a friendly stranger or one of their child's friends. 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. The liability alone should give families pause when encouraging this behavior. Families who are truly looking for a guard dog should consider buying a trained guard dog. True guard dogs do not have aggression toward people, they see biting as a game that is 100% controlled, start to finished, by their handler. A true guard dog never makes the decision to bite on his own. This type of aggression maybe a combination of characteristics of a breed, genetics, lack of leadership and obedience in the home and/or owner encouragement. These dogs are not appropriate for chain link or invisible fences or being off-leash.

Did you know?

• Aggressive behavior is not curable, but can be managed in some circumstances.
  
  
• Aggressive behavior is first evident usually between 4 months and 18 months. Earlier in severe cases. Dogs may have their first serious bite between ages 18mos and 4 years.
  
  
• Aggressive behavior will steadily intensify over the years without early true obedience training.
  
  
• Every time a dog growls and is not appropriately corrected (this does not mean yelling/hitting) the dog gains a feeling of confidence that will perpetuate the behavior.
  
  
• Accepting aggression as a normal part of life, even if it is not frequent, is an accident waiting to happen.
  
  
• A higher incidence of aggression problems are found w/ dogs that come from pet stores or irresponsible breeders. Also some breeds have a higher chance of developing aggression than others.
  
  
• DogBiteLaw.com reports that there are almost 800,000 dog bites per year. The odds that a bite victim will be a child are 3.2 to 1. (CDC.) The vast majority of biting dogs (77%) belong to the victim's family or a friend. www.dogbitelaw.com

 

What to do when aggressive behavior is seen? 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 (www.morrco.com). 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.

 

Hard Truth
Unfortunately, unpredictable/aggressive dogs do not have many options as far as other places to live. In many cases, it is not fair to give the dog to another family, where their family members would be at risk of injury. And many shelters/rescue groups do not take dogs with aggressive tendencies because of the liability of placing a dog that could injure someone.

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