How to Recognize & Respond to Dog Aggression
Author: Julie Butts
The purpose of this article is not a how-to on correcting the behavior of an
aggressive dog. That task is better left to dog trainers, veterinarians,
and dog behaviorists. This article identifies seven basic types of dog
aggression, however, and offers suggestions on how to communicate better
with an aggressive dog to prevent injury from dog attacks.
Many dog owners are bewildered when they hear their dog growl, bark, or take
an aggressive stance. Unfortunately, many of these animals end up in
shelters because the owners could no longer live with the dog. Would you
give up on your child that easily?
Of course not! When a baby is brought home to his new family, everyone
understands that the baby is learning your language and teaching you his.
We begin to understand our child's cry or garbled sounds because we focus on
trying to understand him.
Your dog has his own language as well. Understanding dog aggression and
your dog's language will help prevent undesirable behavior and dog bites.
Let's begin our understanding of dog aggression with the acronym DOG BITES:
Dominant
Opportunity
Game
Boy/Girl
Injury
Territorial
Escape
S
Dominant aggression is also known as competitive aggression. It is brought
on when one dog feels challenged for his social position by another dog (or
human). Dogs are pack animals. Social order helps feed and protect the
pack.
The dog with the highest social order is called the alpha dog. The alpha
dog gets all the perks such as eating whatever he wants, sleeping wherever
he wants, and dictating to the others in the pack. He decides when the
others get to eat and sleep.
Even owners of a single dog may observe dominant aggression since the dog
sees the owner as a member of his pack. An example of this type of
aggression is demonstrated by the dog who lays on a favorite chair and
growls at the owner when told to get down.
The aggression is a challenge for social position and dibs for the seating
arrangement. How the owner reacts to the challenge determines whether the
dog becomes more aggressive or submissive in the situation.
Here is a less obvious challenge to an owner's dominance in the pack:
You are sitting in the living room watching television. Your dog comes up
to you and slides his head under your hand. You think your dog is adorable
and wants your attention, so you pet him as requested.
Here is the punch line to this situation. Petting is similar to licking.
Submissive, less dominant dogs in the pack lick the more dominant dogs. In
other words, you were challenged and responded with an ok to be the
submissive of the challenge.
Petting (or licking) behavior does not always signify submissiveness. There
are other situations when dogs lick, but we will not pursue that topic here.
What we will offer here is a suggestion on how to respond to the situation
above.
Gently cup your hand over your dog's muzzle. Rub behind his ears with a
little pressure. These actions closely resemble social order biting.
Dominant dogs bite the ears, nose, and neck areas of less dominant dogs to
keep them in line. Just watch a mother dog with a litter of pups! You will
see the behavior right away.
Opportunity aggression is aggression that is intended for another dog or
person; however, it is redirected to a closer dog or person because the
opportunity to attack is better. An example of this type of aggression is
demonstrated when trying to break up two fighting dogs. Sometimes, the
person breaking up the fight gets bit.
Caution is the best approach to take with opportunity or redirected
aggression. If a dog is agitated, it is better to maintain a safe distance
until the dog feels less vulnerable and relaxes.
Game aggression is predatory in nature. A dog will chase anything that
moves away from it. The dog is a natural hunter of small game. When
something runs from a dog, the dog's chase, hunt, capture, and kill instinct
takes over.
A human cannot out run a dog. If a dog attacks, the best course of action
is to lie down and play dead. This action is a submissive move.
You have probably seen a dog lie down and bear his vulnerable belly to a
more dominant dog. He is communicating to the more dominant dog that he is
not a threat to the more dominant dog.
Boy/girl aggression is all about the hormones! This type of aggression is
also known as sexual aggression. The male dog protects his female from
other dogs and potential threats to his progeny.
Female dogs, however, also display this sexual aggression when they are
pregnant, nursing, or in heat. Even the most docile female may growl or
attempt to bite anyone who dares to pick up one of her pups too soon!
Sexual aggression is reduced through spaying and neutering. Most
veterinarians recommend spaying or neutering your dog during the 6-12 months
of age.
Injury aggression is aggression brought on by injury or pain. You might
easily see this type of aggression in a dog that has been hit by a car or
one who is suffering from age-induced arthritis.
Injury or pain aggression is best handled by seeking medical care for the
dog. Try not to touch the painful areas unless absolutely necessary for
therapy or to get your dog to safety. Diet, activity, medications, and
bedding may help alleviate the pain and therefore, the aggressive behavior.
Territorial aggression is aggression displayed to protect the pack's
territory. The dog's territory may be much different from your thoughts
of the house and backyard. Indeed, if you take him on any walks, he may
even consider the whole neighborhood his territory!
When a dog is in a new environment, he may be "territorial" because he is
not sure of his surroundings. This is why a dog that is boarded may be
"cage aggressive." The dog is protecting the small territory of the cage
from intruders.
When this is the case, let the dog have his space. He is stressed out and
will feel protected in his own area.
Territorial aggression may also be used to protect the pack from perceived
external threats. A protective dog is one that shows aggression toward
other animals or people when he perceives a threat to his owner or other
members of the pack.
A dog may also show territorial aggression with possessions. He will
protect anything that he perceives as his. This includes food, bedding,
toys, affection, and anything else that is part of his world.
Escape aggression is also called fear aggression. A dog that is afraid will
often shake. The ears will probably be all the way back on the head and the
tail will be low. He feels powerless and puts up a fight because he feels
trapped like he has no where to escape.
This type of aggression may also be brought on by the fear of punishment.
Imagine someone standing much taller than you with his hand raised above his
head. Is he going to hit me?
Walking straight toward a dog, giving direct eye contact, or making sudden
movements can trigger fear aggression. Always move slowly around dogs that
are afraid. Never give direct eye contact or move right towards a fearful
dog.
About the Author: Julie Butts is a Kennel Manager and author of
All-About-Small-Breed-Dogs.Com an online guide for selecting, owning, and raising a small breed dog. Her website is dedicated to small breed dog lovers and includes information on breeds, training, behavior,grooming, supplies, books, gifts, and more.
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