Wings BG

Aggression is best defined within a given text as an appropriate or inappropriate threat or challenge that is ultimately resolved by combat or deference.

It is important to realize that aggression can be an appropriate response in certain contexts. (Overall, 1997) An example is when a child is running through his own yard and a friend is chasing him. If the child is screaming, his own dog may feel he is being attacked by the other child and may go after the visiting child. In this context, the aggression may be appropriate. A dog barking at a stranger approaching his yard may be an appropriate response as well. Hopefully the dogs will be able to control their aggressive actions.

It is important to realize that dogs exhibiting inappropriate out–of–context aggression are not misbehaved or poorly behaved. They are clinically abnormal and must be regarded as such. (Overall, 1997)

For the dog’s behavior to improve, it is critical that the dog not be “provoked”. To do so, even unintentionally, only reinforces the inappropriate, undesirable, and perhaps dangerous behavior. (Overall, 1997)

Dominance aggression usually develops at social maturity, usually dogs 18–24 months of age. Signs of interaction can include standing very rigid, up on the toes, growling, hair up on the back, ears erect or slightly back, snarling, baring the teeth and wagging of the tail. If a dog is encountered showing any of these signs, it is also willing to interact in an aggressive manner if provoked. Simply staring at or reaching for these animals may be enough cause for the dog to attack.

Types of aggression

There are few types of aggresion:

• Dominance aggression
• Fear aggression
• Protective aggression
• Possessive aggression

Some dogs can exhibit several different types of aggression.

Dominance aggression is the number one canine behavioral problem. Dominance is not defined as aggression on the part of the dominant” animal, but rather as the withdrawal of the “subordinate”. (Gartlan, 1968; Rowell, 1972, 1974) The behavior of the lower status individuals, not the higher ranking one, is what determines the relative heirachial rank. Truly dominant dogs will tolerate lesser ranking dogs, as long as they defer to the dominant dog. Through the use of body language, dogs are able to communicate and avoid actual combat. A stare, a slightly raised lip, or raised hackles, are usually enough to make a lower ranking dog back down. Whenever two dogs feel they have equal status, a fight may occur.

Dominance aggression is about the concept of controlhe dog is faced with a challenge about control in any punishment situation. For a dog that already challenges a leadership role, the only choice is to return any challenge in kind. (Overall, 1997) When dogs are anxious and uncertain about their role in the social hierarchy, they will often make demands and respond accordingly to the owners reactions. If the owner backs down, the dogs aggressive tendencies are reinforced. Treatment requires that the dog defers to the people.

Owners do not often recognize the “pushy” behavior exhibited by dogs. The subtle growl when pushed off the couch, the paws on the shoulders or talking back. The dog thinks the owner is deferring to them. The following tables, Box 6–8 and 6–9, from Dr. Overall’s book, lists human behaviors that may elicit aggressive behavior and canine behaviors that are a part of dominance aggression.

Dr. Overall divides dominant aggressive dogs into two broad groups. Those that have no doubt that they are in control and those that are unsure of their social role and use their aggressive behavior to define their social boundaries and roles.

A majority of the dominant aggressive dogs are males and castration has limited effect toward treating these dogs. It is still recommended, if for no other reason, than to keep them from reproducing. Intact male dogs are more reactive and react more quickly, react at a more intense level, and stay reactive longer. (Overall, 1997)

These dogs must be taught to defer to their owners for everything and they must be asked to participate in any activity. They must wait and perform some command before they are allowed to eat, play, go through doors, be groomed or before receiving any attention. They must earn everything they get. Eventually, through much deference, most dogs will learn to become subordinate. Some dogs will not, and for every dog there must be a stopping point. For some dogs, euthanasia is the only solution.

 

This material conatains fragments from "Canine Aggression" of Gary L. Clemons