Aggression in dogs: dominance
The next form of aggression in dogs, which I will discuss is dominance aggression. Thanks again to my friend, the dog specialist for notes and discussion about this tendency.
Dogs are pack animals. The simply don't expect equality. The dog's natural genetic predisposition is to find his place in the pecking order. They like to be top dog.
This type of aggression is usually shown by male dogs between 2 and 2 1/2 years of age. Dogs go through puberty between 6 months and 1 year. Yet the apparently sudden, unprovoked aggressive attacks of dominance aggression, usually against members of the immediate family, frequently don't occur for another one or two years. The onset of these attacks coincides with the time of puberty in wolves. Selective breeding had made dogs precociously sexually mature at an early age, but emotional maturity takes longer.
Dominance aggression can be provoked in a myriad of ways and is a pack problem. As we humanes make up most dog packs as far as the dogs are concerned, it is usually directed at us. This type of aggression can be provoked by simply disturbing your dog, such as awakening him or moving him or ordering him to move from his resting place. It can be provoked by approaching his food, his favorite person or his resting area, even if he is not in it. Dominance aggression can be stimulated by petting, by having collars and leads put on or off, by being stared at or disciplined, by grooming, nail cutting, toweling or even by meeting in a narrow passageway where the dog feels he has the right of passage. Discipline, either verbal or physical can provoke dominance aggression. Just standing over a dog can be interpreted as a threat to his position and can invoke a dominance response.
Some dogs can be psychologically dominant but physically submissive. This is particularly true of some toy terriers, dogs that enjoy being carried and tickled but only in their own time, biting their owners if the humans get out of line.
The dog perceives his owner to be weak. When a dog comes over and asks to be petted and I pet him, then I behaved. When dogs interpret our behavior as a reaction to theirs, their natural inclination is to feel more assertive and dominant.
Dominance aggression is both inherited and learned. Although 85% of clinical cases occur in males, it is not puberty related. The hormonal influence on this behavior probably occurred near birth, when the male pup's brain was mascuilined by a surge of testosterone. This is why castration has little beneficial effect of correcting this unpleasant behavior.
Dogs exhibit their dominance aggression in may ways: Standing over an object, guarding an object, direct eye contact, the stare, the tense, rigid posture with erect ears and tail, growling, teeth baring, snapping and biting.
Again, displayed at their human pack with kind owners who allow them to get their own way or treat them as equals.
An interesting fact is dominant aggressive dogs rarely attack very submissive people or small children. In their minds they only perceive more forceful people as threats to their social position. Children usually get bitten more frequently than adults, but this is more fear related or competitive aggression.
Backing away from a growl, allowing the dog to win tug of war, letting him wander freely, allowing him to jump on people, and permissiveness creates problems, but this aspect of dominance aggression can be overcome through retraining.
Dominance aggression can be be avoided through careful selection of a dog. Certain purebreds show this trait more often than mixed breeds: English Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Rottweilers, Dobermans and Lhasa Apsos.
Puppy testing is not a predictor, but pups that test positive for dominance do grow up to be dominant. To correct this: dominate your puppy, avoid behavior that provokes aggression, obedience train and "nothing is free" training.
Dogs are pack animals. The simply don't expect equality. The dog's natural genetic predisposition is to find his place in the pecking order. They like to be top dog.
This type of aggression is usually shown by male dogs between 2 and 2 1/2 years of age. Dogs go through puberty between 6 months and 1 year. Yet the apparently sudden, unprovoked aggressive attacks of dominance aggression, usually against members of the immediate family, frequently don't occur for another one or two years. The onset of these attacks coincides with the time of puberty in wolves. Selective breeding had made dogs precociously sexually mature at an early age, but emotional maturity takes longer.
Dominance aggression can be provoked in a myriad of ways and is a pack problem. As we humanes make up most dog packs as far as the dogs are concerned, it is usually directed at us. This type of aggression can be provoked by simply disturbing your dog, such as awakening him or moving him or ordering him to move from his resting place. It can be provoked by approaching his food, his favorite person or his resting area, even if he is not in it. Dominance aggression can be stimulated by petting, by having collars and leads put on or off, by being stared at or disciplined, by grooming, nail cutting, toweling or even by meeting in a narrow passageway where the dog feels he has the right of passage. Discipline, either verbal or physical can provoke dominance aggression. Just standing over a dog can be interpreted as a threat to his position and can invoke a dominance response.
Some dogs can be psychologically dominant but physically submissive. This is particularly true of some toy terriers, dogs that enjoy being carried and tickled but only in their own time, biting their owners if the humans get out of line.
The dog perceives his owner to be weak. When a dog comes over and asks to be petted and I pet him, then I behaved. When dogs interpret our behavior as a reaction to theirs, their natural inclination is to feel more assertive and dominant.
Dominance aggression is both inherited and learned. Although 85% of clinical cases occur in males, it is not puberty related. The hormonal influence on this behavior probably occurred near birth, when the male pup's brain was mascuilined by a surge of testosterone. This is why castration has little beneficial effect of correcting this unpleasant behavior.
Dogs exhibit their dominance aggression in may ways: Standing over an object, guarding an object, direct eye contact, the stare, the tense, rigid posture with erect ears and tail, growling, teeth baring, snapping and biting.
Again, displayed at their human pack with kind owners who allow them to get their own way or treat them as equals.
An interesting fact is dominant aggressive dogs rarely attack very submissive people or small children. In their minds they only perceive more forceful people as threats to their social position. Children usually get bitten more frequently than adults, but this is more fear related or competitive aggression.
Backing away from a growl, allowing the dog to win tug of war, letting him wander freely, allowing him to jump on people, and permissiveness creates problems, but this aspect of dominance aggression can be overcome through retraining.
Dominance aggression can be be avoided through careful selection of a dog. Certain purebreds show this trait more often than mixed breeds: English Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Rottweilers, Dobermans and Lhasa Apsos.
Puppy testing is not a predictor, but pups that test positive for dominance do grow up to be dominant. To correct this: dominate your puppy, avoid behavior that provokes aggression, obedience train and "nothing is free" training.
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