What it is and Where it Comes From

Aggressive dogs bark and growl and snap and bite. Superficially, it all seems the same. Their intent is to harm a person or another animal and they do it because they are afraid or in pain or because they are just plain "mean". But the broad term aggression defines a multitude of biological factors and behaviors that can often times be quite complex. If we can better understand aggression we can more easily recognize the early warning signs and possibly avoid a serious if not life threatening situation.

We know that:

1. The domestic dog's early ancestors needed to chase and kill prey for food and that they used aggression to survive in the wild.
   
2. Since dogs are pack animals (like wolves), preferring to travel and hunt in groups rather than alone, the more aggressive the animal the higher the social position in the pack and the more that dog gets to eat and mate and keep his or her position.
   
3. Protection of one's territory including its space, food and potential mates, will sometimes require aggression to defend it.

Long ago, humans recognized the potential value of a dog's aggressive predispositions and shaped them - through selective breeding and training - into useful working behavior for such tasks such as hunting, eradication of vermin, livestock herding and for protection from our enemies.

Inappropriate aggression, while infrequently a result of a medical problem, is usually caused by human mismanagement or, in some cases, little or no management at all. In most cases, the aggression that is deemed inappropriate is perfectly appropriate for the dog in the absence of our teaching. The dog is simply acting naturally (as he would in the wild) in order to survive.

Preventing Inappropriate Aggression

As with most things, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When selecting your canine companion:

1. Select a dog that matches your lifestyle. Small dogs can get exercise running around an apartment while larger dogs need the outdoors.
   
2. Study the breed. What was it bred for? Working and herding dogs are more likely to show aggression since they were bred to do so.
   
3. Select a breeder with a good reputation for breeding for health and temperament. Local dog clubs, veterinarians and trainers are a good source. If a breeder does not handle the pups at an early age or allows them to leave the litter before eight weeks of age, find another breeder. These pups often develop behavior problems down the road.
   
4. Take your puppy to puppy classes for socialization and conduct socialization exercises away from class also..
   
5. Begin basic obedience training at four months to promote communication, respect and discipline.
   

Categories of Aggression

• Dominance Aggression

  Attempt to move higher in the social hierarchy of the family (pack). Can be directed at family members including other dogs residing in the home.

• Fear Aggression

  Fear of an actual or perceived threat such as a person, animal or situation. The dog may "freeze", "flee" or "fight."

• Territorial/Protective Aggression

  Perceived threat to the home or family or family member. Usually a stranger.

• Pain Aggression

  Response to sickness or injury. Aggression toward nearest human or animal.

• Maternal Aggression

  Threat or perceived threat to a dam's pups. Aggression toward any human or animal too close to the litter.

• Predatory Aggression

  The predisposed behavior to chase and kill prey for food. Usually triggered by fleeing from the dog with or without fearful vocalizations. Can be a smaller animal or a child.

• Seizure-Related Aggression

  Caused by seizure-like brain disorders. Directed toward anyone or anything.

Treating Aggression Problems

At the first sign of an aggression problem, consult a qualified animal behaviorist or veterinarian behaviorist. Interview them and check their references. Basically, the methods used to lessen or eliminate aggression are:

1. Training (behavior modification)
   
2. Pharmacological Intervention (use of behavior altering drugs)
   
3. Surgical Intervention (usually castration of the male dog)
   
4. Avoiding Provocative Situations