Swank Pets Dog Blog

WHAT IS AGGRESSION

The term Aggression may have different meanings to different people. For example, some people may think that a dog that barks and growls at people as they walk by the house is aggressive. However, the dog is simply claiming their territory which is perfectly normal. The official definition (okay, official in my mind) is a dog that bites uncontrollably and unpredictably without any sort of warning. I know many people may disagree, but I think that most dogs that are considered “aggressive” are only acting out of their environment or upbrining. Most aggressive incidents are actually predictable, provoked, or both.

CAUSES OF AGGRESSION

When you think of aggressive dogs, pictures of vicious Pitbulls and Rottweilers probably come to mind. However, aggressive dogs come in all sorts of sizes and breeds. Even toy breed dogs can be “aggressive”, but this is usually the fault of the owner. I know you want to think your little angel can’t possibly be aggressive, but it can happen if proper training has not been implemented. I’d have to say that 90% of the time, a dog’s behavior is a reflection of how their owner has raised their dog. The other 10% is due to either a dog’s hereditary traits and their health condition. Bites that come from mismanagement are a different matter. For example, your dog is not feeling well and decides to sleep under the bed. Little Timmy decides he wants Doggy to play so he goes and pulls his tail to try to get him out from under the bed. Doggy may growl a little bit and then decide to snap at Timmy’s hand if the pulling continues. In this case, a warning has been given and then the aggressive behavior occurs. This is not uncomon behavior from dogs and obviously we must teach our children to not tug on dog’s tails.

MANAGING AGGRESSION: PREY DRIVE

Some dogs may exhibit a high prey drive. This means that they are very alert and always on the lookout for some sort of prey. This is considered the most dangerous type of aggression because any sort of sense can trigger your dog’s prey drive. I think this is seen more in hunting dogs and such, but it could be a trait that any dog can exhibit. Anything from bicyclist, joggers, the mail man, birds, squirrels, you name it can possibly trigger your dog’s prey drive. In this mode, your dog will instinctively start chasing whatever it is they are after. Once they catch what they are chasing is where the problem usually starts.

One way to try and curb this behavior is by playing lots of fetch games and getting lots of excercise for your dog. If your dog sees something that catches their attention such as a rabbit or a bird, divert their attention back to you. A quick tug on the leash may be necessary, but make sure they do not get distracted.

MANAGING AGGRESSION: FIGHT DRIVE

I’m sure we’re familiar with the term dominance when it comes to dogs. It’s inherent in your dog’s nature since they are pack animals to have rank amongst one another. Believe it or not, your dog may be competing with you for the dominant role between yourself and your dog. If you do not assert that you are the master, your dog may soon think that he/she is the pack leader. This becomes a bad situation because your dog will no longer listen to you if they see you as a lower ranking figure. This must be avoided and just remember to ensure that you give your dog or puppy strong and consistent guidance as to what they may or may not do. If your dog starts to growl or snarl at you, let them know that this sort of behavior is not tolerated or else they will only become more aggressive.

Dogs also show their dominance amongst each other as stated earlier. Sometimes, you will see another dog lay down or roll over when a more dominant dog comes near. However, if two dogs believe they are both the dominant dogs, then a fight can ensue. A true dog fight is very terrifying and should be avoided at all costs. The following are triggers that may cause your dog to enter the aggressive fight mode:

1. Approaching the dog in a threatening manner

2. Hovering or looming over the dog

3. Staring at a dog

4.Teasing the dog

5. Trying to take something out of their mouth

In order to mangage this type of aggressive behavior is by providing plenty of exercise. Take your dog to the park on a regular basis to ensure that they get enough exercise. Playing and exercise will tire your dog and lower their stimulation to their senses. You can also play tug-o-war with your dog. After the end of the play session, walk away from your dog with the toy still in their mouth.

Okay, I’m getting tired, so stay tuned for the continuation of the ‘Dealing With Your Dog’s Aggression’ Series.