Dog Aggression
Dog Aggression
By George Kane
Aggression in dogs is a serious behavioral condition owners face.
However, the problem could be avoided if the owner is properly aware of
dogs' life stages and the things that can lead to dog aggression.
One million cases of reported dog bites are recorded each year but it
only accounts for half of the cases because the other half go
unreported. Most wounds from dog bites are not threatening.
Unfortunately children are bitten most often.
Genes, heredity, and environment are major factors affecting dog
aggression. Some breeds like Rottweilers and Akitas display belligerent
behaviors while some breeds take softer roles like Retrievers.
Mating related dogs can result in inconsistent attitudes in dogs and
hormones can influence aggression between dogs of the same and opposite
sexes.
Another factor that contributes to behavioral aggression is environment.
That includes the dog's state of living, socializing, excessive
disciplining and unwarranted reinforcing from the owner etc.
Furthermore, dogs instinctively live in packs. They occupy high or low
social status. They see the people around them as part of the pack and
they protect their status in the social rank by attacking the passive
members of the family such as children.
If dogs growl in defense of their bowls and they are not disciplined, the owners are giving the dogs an unwanted opportunity to develop such aggressive behavior over one of the family members or all of the family members. With time and without proper intervention from the owners, the dogs will surely establish their dominance in the social rank which includes the members of the family.
Such dominant behavior will show when the dogs start to bite every
time they start to see and feel that humans are a threat to their high
social rank in the “pack”. Such dogs often end up at shelters, because
their owners had, in reality, misunderstood their social behavior such
as attacking without any definite purpose.
Dogs may be aggressive because of fear, territory, other dogs (siblings,
dogs of the same sex, and dogs of the opposite sex), medications,
predation, possession, puppies, food, play, maternity, senility, and
illness or injury. Dogs may show one or a combination of several kinds
of aggression.
Socializing dogs during their first 12 weeks of their life is a critical
factor which is important to prevent dog aggression. Three to 16 weeks
are the critical stages in dogs' growth because it is during these times
that they learn to trust or mistrust. During these periods, they should
be taught how to interact socially. As puppies, dogs should be exposed
to humans especially children because if not, they will grow
uncomfortable with the presence of people.
Ensure your dogs' and children's safety. Children are bitten by dogs
commonly in the face. Dogs reprimand their puppies by opening their
mouths across the puppies' faces. Children love to hug and kiss dogs.
Sometimes dogs get offended so as a result, they see children as
offending puppies.
Teach positive behavior like self-control to your dog. For instance,
train him to keep still while you are preparing their food.
Be mindful of what dogs learn everyday. Don't let them bark at people
who pass by on bikes or to mailmen, repairmen, delivery people and
strangers. Do not leave your dogs unattended while fettered out of the
house. Take dogs inside of the house for the night.
Choose solid fence over underground electronic fence.
You also need to neuter your dogs.
George Kane writes about Dog Aggression for a top Dog Training Review
Website - George is a long time dog lover and dog trainer.
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