Aggression in Dogs
Dominance-Related... Fear Motivated... Territoral Aggression
Aggression
Between Dogs
Prevention
Aggression in dogs
(biting, snapping, growling) is a dangerous and complex
behavioral problem whose treatment involves much time, money and
owner commitment.
First off realize you have a
major, major problem. Besides being concerned about their own
safety, owners must consider the safety of children, other pets,
visitors and strangers.
Owners have a legal
responsibility to restrain an aggressive dog. While the law
varies from state to state, the bottom line is that owners are
liable for their dog's actions.
AGGRESSION: is
categorized based on its cause. Pain-induced aggression occurs
when a painful area on the dog is touched. For example the dog
has a broken leg you are grooming the dog. You touch the leg it
causes pain. The dog reacts with a snap or growl. The dog is in
fact reacting to the pain. But lashes out at what is the closest
thing to him. Your hand or face.
DOMINANCE-RELATED:
is the most common type of aggression! The dog sees
itself as the pack leader. To whoever is living in the household.
It is these family members who have unknowingly allowed the dog
to assume a dominant role. Common sign of Dominance related
aggression are attacks when the dog's food or other object are
approached, when the dog is approached while resting or when the
dog is restrained, disciplined, groomed or lifted. You must not
allow the dog to continue in this manner. Seek help right away.
Don't wait until the dog has hurt some one.It does not get better as the dog grows.
FEAR
MOTIVATED AGGRESSION: is a defensive reaction and occurs
when the dog believes it is in danger of being harmed. The dog
strikes out because it is afraid. For example, you may be raising
your arm to throw a tennis ball, but a dog may perceive this to
be a threatening arm movement, and bites you because he believes
he is protecting himself from being hit or struck. A dog may also
be fearfully aggressive when approached by other dogs. The dog
may assume a submissive posture(tail between legs ears back)
while at the same time growling or snap. Don't even try to
approach a dog like this. You are asking for trouble. If you see
a dog you would like to pet ask the owner first. If the dog hides
behind the owner. Do not try to reach in and pet the dog! The dog
could lash out at you in fear and bite. Find a different dog to
pet, one that is willing to come up to you to be petted.
There
are other types of aggression (possesive, protective and
predatory)
TERRITORAL
AGGRESSION: is usually associated with defense of
property. However, a dog's sense of territory may extend well
past the boundaries of his yard. For example, if a dog is walked
regularly around the neighborhood, and is allowed to urine-mark,
to him, his territory may be the entire block!
PROTECTIVE
AGGRESSION, usually refers to aggression directed toward
people or animals whom the dog perceives as threats to his
family, or pack. Dogs become possessively aggressive when
defending their food, toys, or other valued objects
PREVENTION:
Because both environmental and genetic factors influence
how readily any dog will display aggression, dog owners can take
several steps to prevent aggressive behavior problems from
developing. Dogs with aggressive behavior problems should NEVER
be bred, as they can pass this along to their offspring.
Between
the ages of 4 and 16 weeks, puppies experience a crucial
developmental period during which time they form their first
social bonds. Puppies exposed to many different people, places,
animals,noises and environmental events during this time will be
better able as adults to accept changes in their environment.
This socialization process must be done gradually, and in such a
way that a puppy has only positive experiences. Puppies
socialized in this way will be less likely to be afraid,
defensive, and aggressive. Puppies which are fearful and
aggressive may need professional help.
Dog
owners should *NEVER* encourage aggressive
behavior. Playing tug-of-war or wrestling games encourages the
dog to attempt to "beat", or "win out" over
the owner, which can result in the beginning of a dominance
aggression problem. When dogs are encouraged to "go get
'em" or to bark and dash about in response to outside noises
or the approach of a person, territorial and protective
aggressive behavior may be the result.
Intact
males dogs are more likely to display dominance, territorial, and
protective aggressive behavior than are neutered males or
females. Neutering a male dog will thus help to reduce the
frequency of these types of aggressive behaviors. Neutering will
not affect fear motivated, redirected or possessive aggression.
NO
THERAPY: in the world will work if it is not carried out
properly. The prognosis for aggressive dogs is not very good.
Once a dog is aggressive they are always aggressive. Yes, it can
be controlled but, by some one that knows what they are doing.
You will always have to be on guard when dealing with aggression!
The
best solution to the problem is giving the dog to a professional
to work.
DON'T
give the dog away. You can still be held liable for the
dogs actions. Just because you found a home for the dog. Does not
make the problem go away.
The
dog is still aggressive!
AGGRESSION
BETWEEN DOGS: The most violent type of aggression is
between dogs. This type of fightimg establishes a hierarchy of
dominance between animals. Bitches are the most aggressive to each other. If the fighting occurs between males,
neutering may be one solution. Remember don't try to break up a
dog fight by going between the two dogs. Never step in the middle and try and grab
them by the collar to stop it. If you try this the chances of you being
badly bitten are extremely high.
People don't understand that 2 animals in the middle of a fight are in
survival drive. If they see you at all, they don't look at you as their
loving owner. When you charge in and grab them they either react out of a
fight reflex and bite, or they see you as another aggressor. When they are in fight they will bite you.
The safest way to break up a dog fight requires 2
people. Each person grabs the back feet of one of the dogs. Then the dog is
picked up like a wheel barrow. With the legs up, both dogs are then pulled
apart. Once they break apart, it is critical that the people do not release
the dogs or the fight will begin again. They need to start to turning in a
circle or slowly swinging the dogs in a circle while they back away from the
other dog. This stops the dog from curling and coming back and biting the
person holding their legs. You keep turning them so they can't see each
other there for defusing the situation. If you know there is a problem between two dogs then
keep them apart. They should not be allowed to be together. Until
you have every thing under control.
If you
have two or more dogs. Problems will almost always occur when
well-meaning people feel sorry for the submissive dog and unknowingly
begin treating it as an "alpha,"(top dog) and creating vicious
jealousy and dog fights in the process. The first thing to do
when you have two or more dogs is to figure out which one of your
dogs is "alpha." The alpha dog usually displays the
following
CHARACTERISTICS:
ALWAYS,
wins at tug-of-war with the other dogs.Or takes toys away from them.
RECEIVES,
the most attention from the other dogs, sometimes not
wanting the attention.The other dogs will submit by lowering their body and licking the lips.
RARELY,
or NEVER licks the other dogs on the mouth.
Wins, all STARING CONTESTS with the other
dogs.In fact the other dogs will not look the alpha dog in the eyes.
May become
upset when the other dogs receive attention from you. Wanting all the attention to themselves!
May take
or guard toys, food, etc from the other dogs.
Usually,
has their choice of the best sleeping areas. Will force the other dogs to move.
May push
his way to be first out and in doorways.
May mount
the other dogs (male or female) it doesn't matter.
On the other hand!, the "omega" dog usually displays the
following
CHARACTERISTICS:
ALWAYS,
gives up first at tug-of-war or in play with the other dogs.
GIVES,
the most attention and affection to the other dogs,
usually licking their mouths, especially the "alpha"
dog's mouth. Showing total submission to the other dogs.
LOOKS
AWAY, when being stared at by the other dogs, and
probably by you too. Wants no eye contact. This is to stressful for this type of dog.
Freely
GIVES UP, toys, food, sleeping areas, etc. to the other dogs.
Rolls, on
back and displays "Tummy" to other dogs, and probably
to you too. Totally exposes groin area.
May pee,
upon greeting the other dogs, and possibly people too. This is called submissive peeing.
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