⭐️ The following examples do not guarantee aggressive behaviour (behaviour should never be guaranteed), but they can definitely help in developing problem behaviours.
The causes for some dogs to behave aggressively are unknown. It doesn’t benefit anyone to assume that you or someone else caused a dog to act aggressively.
➡️ Bothering a dog while they are eating (putting your hand in a bowl to “get them used to it” OR feeding multiple animals in the same space. Prevention: Don’t do this, instead put valuable things in your dog’s bowl when you do approach them. Let them eat in peace.
➡️ Punishing a dog for giving warning signals to back off (a.k.a growling). Growling is better than snarling and snapping, and we don’t want the dog to progress to this. Prevention: Don’t put your dog in situations where they feel they have to growl. If possible, teach them to do something more appropriate when uncomfortable i.e. move away, look at handler, etc
➡️ Allowing a child to crawl all over a dog. Just because a dog isn’t warning the child with a growl, doesn’t mean they aren’t giving other signals of discomfort. Prevention: actively monitor your child, give your dog a safe space, teach your child about dog body language or how to interact with the dog (i.e giving treats, learn about consent tests).
➡️ Regularly pushing a dog through a procedure like grooming, nail trimming, physical exam when they are showing obvious signs of discomfort. Prevention: work in small increments, change handling methods, pair with food, desensitize, use a “start button” method, discuss medications with your vet.
➡️ Allowing strangers to pet your dog, when your dog is showing signs of wanting space (head turn, moving away, tail tucked, tongue flick, white of eyes, etc). Prevention: Become well-versed in dog body language, learn about consent tests in dogs, advocate for your dog (politely but firmly), teach your dog to move away or look at you when uncomfortable.
➡️ Constantly taking toys, bones away from a dog, and never giving anything in return. Prevention: See above about food.
➡️ Pairing an aversive stimulus (like a collar correction or a shock), with another stimulus in the environment (like the sight of another dog or person). You might not even realize you are doing this! Prevention: Train using positive reinforcement, creative management, give your dog choices, avoid shock and corrective collars as these methods can teach your dog to be too afraid to offer any behaviours (even good ones) or create a lot of fallout (inappropriate behaviour comes out somewhere else).
➡️ Having a dog that is in pain or sick, and not addressing the ailment. Prevention: speak with your vet, arrange regular physical exams, educate yourself on how to keep your dog in good physical health.
➡️ Constantly putting the dog in positions where they feel they are in danger. Prevention: Ask yourself - “how would I feel if I were forced to do this?” Understand that your dog decides what they are comfortable with, not you. You are your dog’s protector.
➡️ Physically or verbally threatening a dog. Prevention: Is your dog your subordinate or your partner? If not your partner, then why? A well-trained dog is all about a healthy relationship. Don’t be mistaken, you can be a leader without being coercive. Lead by example. Aggression breeds aggression.
➡️ Leaving a dog to bark at people/animals/things through a window or fence for hours on end. Prevention: Window coverings, dog-sitter, crate/pen, environmental enrichment, visual barrier
➡️ Leaving a dog tied outside alone to bark at people/animals/things for hours on end. Prevention: go outside with your dog and manage their interactions. Tie them out for shorter periods and in quieter locations.
➡️ Breeding dogs who do not have exceptional temperaments, thus creating pups that have already been dealt the wrong cards. Prevention: Just don’t do this. Keep in mind there are always exceptions, but why take the risk?
➡️ Placing a working dog or high-drive breed into an average family home. Prevention: Again, there are always exceptions to the rule, but these dogs most often require constant stimulation, management, and understanding.
➡️ Leaving tense dogs who have had a disagreement to “sort it out”. Prevention: Dogs were bred to look to humans for direction. Help them through it, manage, teach more appropriate behaviours.
👉 Keep in mind that aggressive behaviour (lunging, growling, biting, snarling, snapping) is normal for dogs and many beings (haven’t you behaved aggressively one time or another?). It becomes a problem when it is constantly occurring and creating stress amongst a family unit.
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