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Aggression in Dogs Explained Aggression is a natural part of canine behaviour, although aggression may not be appropriate in the domestic setting. The term aggression can be used to describe any change of behaviours related to a contest or conflict usually between two individuals, for example, dog to dog or dog to human. Any dog, regardless of its rank(status) to others may express these behaviours if the need of the individual is great enough. Such graded gestures may include calming signals which are meant to decrease aggression and overt signals which are used to increase the threat. The overt aggressive signals are contained within the first column progressing to less overt calming signals contained within the last column. Behaviours seen in the middle column may increase or decrease towards overt or calming signals. Overt signals Calming signals Bite Stiffening up Hunched/Tail tucked turn away yawn Snap Stare Creeping sitting/pawing blink Growl Lying down Ears back look away nose lick The word aggression when used to describe a dogs behaviour can sometimes appear judgmental and often suggests an element of intent from the dog. However, most forms of aggression are based on emotional motivation, such as fear and therefore it is far more useful to see the act of aggression as a natural uninhibited behaviour. This means the dog will use aggression as a strategy when there are no rules in place to stop him, for example restraint or lack of space. Physical punishment should never be used to prevent aggression in a dog, as it tends to reinforce it. Canine ethology (species specific natural behaviour) has shown that dogs quickly learn to meet incoming aggression with MORE aggression. This inevitably produces more physical punishment and so a cycle of aggression and aggressive behaviour is promoted. Canine aggression can be divided into different categories. Most cases of aggression are based on a motivation and emotional content, for example fear. Therefore, fear is most likely to be the motivation in cases of aggression rather than dominance. It is necessary to differentiate between the motivations which initiate and maintain aggressive behaviour, therefore a full behaviour case study and home visit behaviour consultation is recommended. Please click on the link below for more detailed information about the varying types of aggression.
Competitive, Status related(Dominance)aggression Dog to Dog Fighting(Interspecific and Intraspecific) aggression Redirected aggressionMaternal aggression Play aggression
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