LIFESTYLE NEWS - George-based animal behaviourist George van Huyssteen received numerous emails about dog aggression.
"Although I am always reluctant to advise without seeing the animal and asking a million questions, I wanted to explain why that is," he says.
While aggression can occasionally be normal behaviour in dogs, it is important to acknowledge that it poses serious challenges for dog owners. Aggression is a complex issue that can manifest in various forms, ranging from subtle warning signs like growls and snarls to more extreme actions, such as biting, which can lead to injury.
The decision to keep or rehome a dog exhibiting aggressive behaviour is significant and deserves careful consideration. It’s essential to understand that this is not a straightforward choice; it comes with potential legal ramifications and emotional weight. However, with the right approach and support, a resolution might be found.
Understanding the specific type of aggression your dog displays is crucial for effective management. Types of aggression may include conflict-related, fear-based, possessive, protective, territorial, maternal, playful, redirected, pain-induced, inter-dog aggression, or aggression towards familiar and unfamiliar people. Often, dogs may exhibit multiple forms of aggression, which makes an accurate assessment even more critical.
Consulting with a veterinarian or an applied animal behaviourist is a proactive step toward addressing the issue effectively.
These professionals have the expertise necessary to find the cause of the problem and develop a tailored treatment plan. By collaborating with the right experts, you can confidently take the necessary steps to help your dog and create a safer, healthier environment for everyone involved.
Fear aggression:
Fear-related aggression is a common challenge faced by many dogs, and it can be deeply distressing for both dogs and their owners. This type of aggression often arises in various situations, whether at home, in veterinary clinics, in public spaces, or even during walks. Dogs may direct their fear-based aggression toward different people—such as familiar faces or strangers—as well as other animals.
Understanding the root of this behaviour is crucial. Fear-related aggression typically occurs when a dog encounters unfamiliar individuals or animals, especially if they have previously had negative or frightening experiences. Some dogs may only need one bad encounter to develop a lasting fear, while others might require multiple experiences before they begin to exhibit fearful behaviours.
It's important to recognise that not all dogs will respond the same way when feeling scared.
While some may choose to retreat, those who feel trapped—such as when they are in their territory or cornered—are more likely to react with aggression.
If their aggressive responses lead to someone or another animal backing away, it can, unfortunately, reinforce that behaviour, making them even more aggressive over time.
Please note that I am not saying you must stand your ground when a dog reacts in this way, as you might end up with a serious injury; I am simply stating what might be reinforcing the behaviour.
Fear aggression can also affect family dynamics, particularly if a dog associates punishment or unpleasant experiences with their owners. Many cases of fear-related aggression can intertwine with other forms of aggression, including conflict, maternal instincts, or even pain-related reactions.
Recognising signs of fear-related aggression, such as fearful body language combined with aggressive behaviour, is essential for understanding and helping your dog.
It’s compassionate to be aware that, as dogs learn that aggression can change outcomes in their favour, their body language may become more assertive, even if their underlying fear remains unchanged.
Conflict aggression
The concept of dominance in human-dog relationships has been fundamentally challenged in recent years. Extensive research clearly shows that dogs and free-ranging wolves do not conform to a strict pack hierarchy as previously thought.
Consequently, using terms like “pack leadership” and associating aggression with resource control is not only misleading but simplistic.
Current understanding through the lens of learning theory reveals that assertive dogs often exhibit confident behaviours due to a history of positive outcomes, particularly around resource management.
Most instances of owner-directed aggression should be categorised as fear, conflict, defensive, territorial, or pain-related rather than labelled as dominance-related.
While some behaviourists may still use the term “dominance-related aggression” to describe the behaviours of socially mature dogs toward familiar individuals, this interpretation fails to grasp the underlying motivations.
These dogs respond aggressively when challenged as they seek to assert control over valuable resources. Importantly, they typically do not display aggression toward unfamiliar individuals since there is no established rapport.
It’s crucial to recognise these behaviours as learned responses motivated by the dog’s desire to regulate resources or avoid discomfort. When aggression is successfully reinforced, it becomes a repeated behaviour. Confronting an aggressive dog only heightens the risk of escalation, potentially resulting in injury and increased fear.
Understanding a dog's limitations is vital.
Avoiding confrontational situations is imperative, and the focus must be on cultivating positive outcomes that can be reinforced effectively in training and treatment.
Territorial aggression.
Protective aggression can manifest when dogs feel people or other animals are approaching their territory, a behaviour commonly referred to as territorial aggression. This behaviour tends to target those who are unfamiliar with the dog or who differ significantly from the members of their household.
While territorial aggression often occurs on the dog’s property, some dogs may show protective instincts towards family members regardless of location.
Early socialisation and thoughtful management of aggressive signals by owners are key to encouraging positive behaviours and minimising territorial aggression. Understanding that territorial aggression can be a learned behaviour is essential for effective training.
As dogs mature, it's common for them to alert their families by barking at unfamiliar visitors. However, with proper socialisation and training, a well-adjusted dog can learn to remain calm and relaxed in these situations.
When puppies begin barking at new sounds or visitors, this alerting behaviour can be shaped by a combination of their genetics, socialisation, past experiences, and the outcomes they encounter.
By responding calmly and positively to these situations, owners can help their dogs form a constructive association with the presence of visitors. Instead of reacting with anger or frustration, which can create fear, encouraging a positive experience can help the dog feel more secure.
Additionally, if the dog perceives something unusual or threatening, it’s important to address these situations sensitively to prevent increasing their anxiety.
For example, gradually introducing the dog to new sights, sounds, and visitors can help them build confidence.
Lastly, if the dog has previously shown aggressive behaviours and those behaviours are inadvertently reinforced when the stimulus retreats, this creates a cycle that can be challenging to break. Therefore, focusing on positive reinforcement and consistent training can lead to productive outcomes.
Predatory behaviour:
Predation encompasses the instinctive urge to pursue and hunt prey. This behaviour typically unfolds through a series of stages, including observing, stalking, chasing, attacking, and consuming the target—each reflecting essential hunting skills.
While dogs are often recognised as scavengers, they retain a natural inclination to hunt. Although their abilities may not be as refined as those of their wild ancestors, certain breeds exhibit a pronounced genetic drive to engage in predatory behaviours.
Predatory behaviour is often associated with characteristics such as vigilance, attentiveness, and focus. These pursuits are typically quiet and do not involve vocalisations or overt warning signals.
Interestingly, some dogs that may not show predatory tendencies when alone can demonstrate this behaviour when interacting in groups with other dogs.
It is important to note that the predation of wild animals, birds, and rodents is a natural behaviour for dogs and is generally not indicative of aggression toward humans or other pets.
However, some dogs may display predatory behaviours directed toward other dogs, pets, or even children, which can be concerning.
Learned aggression:
While learned aggression may sometimes involve training dogs to act “aggressively” on cue (IPO/IGP) or in certain situations, it is more commonly the result of incidental and unintentional learning and conditioning.
It's important to recognise that dogs are in a constant state of learning, and this process can vary from one individual to another. In certain circumstances, a dog may exhibit aggression if he believes that this behaviour will effectively change the outcome of a situation.
When a dog realises that aggression can successfully remove an unwanted stimulus or alter the situation to his advantage, he may be inclined to repeat that behaviour in similar situations in the future.
It is crucial for dog owners to understand that learning and conditioning play significant roles in the development of aggression. When owners try to calm an aggressive pet with petting or soothing verbal reassurances, they may unwittingly reinforce the aggressive behaviour since these actions can be interpreted as praise.
On the contrary, when a pet is met with threats or punishment for aggressive behaviour, it may lead to even greater aggression over time.
This often occurs because the pet learns to connect the punishment with the presence of a stimulus (like another person or pet) rather than his own behaviour.
By fostering a supportive and understanding environment, owners can help dogs learn appropriate responses to various situations. Utilising positive training techniques such as desensitisation and counterconditioning can be beneficial.
These approaches can help reduce anxiety and build confidence, ultimately leading to a decrease in aggressive behaviours. By prioritising constructive and positive training methods, owners can cultivate a positive relationship with their pets and encourage better behavioural outcomes.
Pain induced aggression:
This type of aggression can arise when a dog is experiencing pain and feels the need to protect himself from handling or touching, even from his owner.
Understanding that a dog may react in this way is important for owners, as the source of the pain might not be immediately clear and can emerge suddenly.
Being aware of the potential for pain-induced aggression can help owners respond appropriately. One common cause of this behaviour is hereditary conditions, such as hip dysplasia. By recognising the signs of discomfort and seeking appropriate veterinary care, owners can help manage their dog’s pain and reduce the likelihood of aggressive reactions.
Redirected aggression:
Redirected aggression, sometimes referred to as displaced aggression, can be a challenging behaviour for dogs and their owners to navigate. This occurs when a dog experiences excitement or frustration and, due to circumstances, cannot reach the source of those feelings.
To cope, the dog may unintentionally redirect its aggressive behaviour toward the closest person or animal nearby. It's important to recognise that this is not an act of malice; rather, it reflects the dog's confusion and heightened state of emotion.
Understanding this behaviour can help us support our furry friends in managing their feelings more effectively.
Genetics:
Poor breeding practices can lead to aggression in puppies. If a puppy's parent has displayed aggression towards people or other animals, the puppy may inherit similar behaviours. For instance, puppies born to fearful parents who have been affected by their environment may exhibit fearful behaviours from an early age, increasing the likelihood of fear-based aggression.
Idiopathic aggression:
Fortunately, idiopathic aggression is quite rare in dogs. Many dog owners mistakenly believe their pet suffers from this condition when, in reality, the aggressive incidents they observe are often symptoms of an underlying illness, pain, fear, anxiety, or resource-guarding behaviour.
A proper diagnosis of idiopathic aggression requires the expertise of a veterinarian, as it is a complex condition that can be challenging to identify.
Your veterinarian will perform a comprehensive physical and neurological examination and may conduct blood tests and other evaluations to aid in their diagnosis.
If your regular veterinarian is uncertain about diagnosing rage syndrome, they may refer you to a specialist who has more experience with this condition.
A detailed veterinary examination, along with a thorough health and behavioural history, is essential to differentiate between idiopathic aggression and aggression stemming from factors such as illness, pain, fear, anxiety, or resource-guarding
As you can see from the above, there are many reasons why dogs might react aggressively. The next problem is that there is no one-fits-all solution, and a blanket approach might result in serious injuries.
Finding the underlying cause is essential in treatment, but the dog’s personality also needs to be taken into consideration when dealing with aggression. Believing in the “dominance” theory might cause serious damage and might even worsen aggression in some dogs.
In the case of aggressive dogs, safety should always be a primary concern, and in many cases, a Vet or behaviourist might suggest certain medication and muzzle training to assist them when working with such dogs.
How to prevent aggression:
1. Shelters might not like me for saying this, but obtaining a puppy from a reputable breeder who monitors traits like aggression and provides a safe, relaxed environment for the breeding dogs is a very good idea.
2. Once the puppy has been born, his genetic makeup cannot be changed. Although that is true, you can help your puppy by socialising him as much as possible during his critical period.
Socialisation, if done correctly, will teach him that the world is a safe place and that other animals or humans are no threat to him. Habituation will also help the puppy ignore irrelevant stimuli in his environment, and a good puppy class will also help him through the possible onset of a hazard avoidance period.
This will help a puppy to become a confident dog. Confident dogs are less likely to react to stimuli than fearful dogs who were not socialised during their critical period.
3. Avoid punishment and reinforce wanted behaviours instead.
4. Avoid allowing bad experiences. This is not always possible because life happens but avoid putting a dog or puppy into situations they cannot handle.
5. Provide lots of mental and physical stimulation. This will ensure the release of all the feel-good neurotransmitters, so it will have an influence on his mood daily.
6. Give your dog choices. If you see your dog feeling uncomfortable in a situation, give him the choice to walk away. It is better to move away than cause an incident that teaches your dog that something is not safe.
7. Love your dog and have fun with him. If you don’t have fun with your dog, what is the point of owning a dog?
Article by George van Huyssteen (DipCABT, CABTi, CCAB, MHERA qualified)
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