Dog aggression, aggressive dog behavior and reactive dogs
modern vs traditional
dog training
The subject of aggression and dogs really gets at some
important issues of dog training. How we define aggression may indicate
the orientation of different training methods. I do believe that aggression
is present in more social encounters than do many of the newer “positive
reinforcement” trainers. Someone from a positive reinforcement style
of dog training has described the positive reinforcement oriented trainers
to me as “modern trainers.” I will use their term “modern
trainer” in this article. While I consider myself a reinforcement
oriented trainer I do not consider myself a “modern trainers”
or a “traditional trainers.” Because of the growing resentment
between the two training styles I soon plan on not even calling myself
a dog trainer. I am going my own way to establish a new way of civilizing
the living room wolf as well as the killer who sits in the chair.
How does one distinguish between a reactive dog and an
aggressive dog? Or are “modern trainers” trying to not believe
in aggression?
It appears a big reason “modern trainers”
use reactive apposed to aggressive is to distance themselves from what
have been described as “traditional trainers.” It appears
that the real reason “modern trainers” started using the term
reactive is to gain a competitive edge though product differentiation.
Apparently “modern trainers” felt a need to differentiate
themselves by putting a positive spin on what many consider an undesirable
behavioral trait. This makes sense because, “modern trainers”
want to portray an all positive image.
It’s logical that “modern trainers”
would undervalue aggression because their foundation of understanding
is based in the traditions of operant behavior. The father of operant
behavior B.F. Skinner had a dislike for instinct and emotion as an explanation
for behavior.
An interesting perspective comes from the opposite camp
in the debate about behavior, the ethologist. Konrad Lorenz gives quite
a different picture of behavior and aggression. While some if his ideas
are dated many still hold true. I am always fascinated by the role of
ritualized aggression. The modern version of ritualized aggression as
a possible emergent behavior holds even more promise than did Lorenz’s.
It is my understanding that ritualized aggression is the glue that holds
many parts of a social system together. This includes dog packs and families.
What is the proper term for describing undesirable aggression?
At this time I now use the terms undesirable aggression or agonistic aggression.
I will also sometimes use the term active and passive defense response
when describing aggression. Traditionally agonistic aggression has been
used to describe aggression between the same species.
Agonistic aggression includes threatening, avoidance,
and appeasement. For appeasement to occur does not there also need to
be a socially acceptable threat? Isn’t this threat most likely in
the form of dominance? The idea of aggression stemming from dog vs. dog
and dog vs. human as two different types of aggression raises the whole
question of, do dogs display dominance towards people? Or is it even possible
for dogs to display dominance towards people? I can see threatening and
avoidance with another species but the appeasement part of a dog’s
behavior always makes me wonder.
Since aggression is a big component of normal social
interaction, I feel we need a term to describe agonistic types of aggression
in the context of human and dog encounters as well as dog on dog encounters.
My working definition of aggression is threatening to
engage in or actually engaging in fight and bite behavior, or a strong
predisposition to engage in this kind of behavior. Aggressive threats
and/or biting are often associated with fearful or threatening body postures
in response to a perceived threat. We can use the dog’s body posture
and other signs such as dilated pupil, stiffness, tucked or raised tail,
and growling as indicators of an active defensive or offensive emotional
state
My true definition of aggression is broader and more
inclusive.
Many people I deal with upon first encounter do not want
to admit their dog has an aggression problem. I often here excuses for
biting or descriptions that hide the behavior in euphemisms, such as he’s
doing a little nipping. Or he prefers not being around new people. If
a dog is defensively or offensive threatening which could include grabbing
with the mouth, it’s probably aggressive behavior. This is not always
the case, but it usually is.
Before a person can deal with their dog’s aggression
problem they need to admit and realize they have a dog with aggressive
tendencies. Dog bites often occur because the owner did not take the proper
precautions that are needed when owning an aggressive dog. I don’t
think aggression places undo responsibility on the dog, but I do believe
it places a great deal of responsibility on the owner.
If you do own an aggressive dog there are some precautions
you can take to avoid tragedy.
The first is to teach your dog to accept wearing a muzzle.
I feel this is a skill all pet dogs should have. Even friendly dogs should
become comfortable with a muzzle. If your dog should ever be in great
pain it may bite. A dog who can wear a muzzle will be easier for professionals
and first responders to care for in emergencies.
I used to have a very aggressive antisocial dog and to
protect the public I always kept him behind three gates. If you own an
aggressive dog have at least one extra layer of security between your
dog and the public. You may need to install an entrance gate within your
current yard gate. It may also be necessary to put up a secure enclosure
preventing access to the front door of the house. If you have company
a dog run and security doors inside may also be necessary. Often temporary
measures can be taken while going through a dog training program.
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