Forms of Aggression**
Although types of aggression have been
identified and neatly categorized here,
the reality is aggression is not so neatly
segregated. It is rare to see a dog with
only one type, thus complicating the diagnosis
and treatment. [1].
Generally the methods to treat aggression
are:
- Avoiding situations that provoke
the aggression
- Taining (behavior modification)
- Pharmacological intervention (use
of behavior altering drugs)
- Surgical intervention (usually
castration of the male dog)
Owner directed or
"Dominance" Aggression
Fear Aggression
Territorial/Protective
Aggression
Dog-on-Dog Aggression—Related
to Dominance
Dog-on-Dog
Aggression— Related to pack (sibling)
Dog-on-Dog
Aggression—Related
to Fear
Predatory Aggression
Possessive Aggression
Aggression Towards
Babies
Redirected Aggression
Food-Related Aggression
Play Aggression
Maternal Aggression
Health related Aggression
Seizure Related Aggression
Pain Related Aggression
Aggression Related to Old
Age
Aggression Influenced
by Medications
Owner directed
or "Dominance" Aggression
The most common and complex of category
of aggression. "Dominance" aggression
is somewhat misnamed, as it is about the
concept of control. Truly "alpha" and
confident dogs are usually quite tolerant
of subserviant members of the pack. A
dominant or pushy dog does not mean it
is or will be aggressive.
Indications: growling, lifting a lip,
snarling, snapping or biting directed
primarily at family members or people
(see Dog-On-Dog
aggression) with whom the dog is familiar.
The dog usually has conflicts with who
the dog regardes being mostly closely
ranked to him or her. It is both inherited
and learned.
Approximately one in five aggression
problems brought to a veterinarian are
dominance related. [2]
Generally the belief is the posture of
aggression is a self confident one opposed
to a submissive one (fear aggression).
It tends to be in response to competitive
contexts, dominant-appearing postures
or interaction by the owner. However,
dogs might be divided into two groups
- those that know they are in control
(less common) and those that are unsure
of their social role and use aggressive
behaviors to determine what is expected
of them (more common).
Dominance aggression is the dog's problem
and not caused by the response of the
owner, although the owner could inadvertently
encourage the inappropriate behavior to
develop.
An association between territorial aggression
and dominance-related aggression has been
reported.[3]
Things that could set off the dog:
- Attempting to dominate the dog
(staring at, punishing, etc.,)
- Disturbing the dog while resting
- Approaching while the dog is eating,
playing with or near a valued resource
or object, reaching for
- Handling/touching the dog
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Fear Aggression
Fear aggression occurs when the dog is
scared whether or not an event has occurred
that scared the dog. The difficulty for
owners hearing this diagnosis, is that
is encourages them to reassure the dog
which reinforces the inappropriate behavior.
Initial behaviors can include:
- snapping
- growling
- escape attempts
Other behaviors may include:
- changes in pitch and volume of
vocalization,
- snapping and biting if threat continues
- possibly urination, defecation
or anal sac expression.
Body postures associated with fear aggression
include:
- a lowering the the head and body
(ears are often flattened)
- piloerection (hackles)
- ears moved back
- wrinkled muzzles
- horizontal then vertical lip retraction
- snarling
These dogs try to avoid the situation
by backing up until they are cornered,
then they bite. This is in contrast to
the normal dog who puts his tail between
his legs, cowers, and hides when afraid,
but shows no signs of vocal or physical
signs of aggression. It is a learned behavior
that can become habitual and continue
even after the dog is no longer afraid.
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Territorial
or Protective Aggression
Territorial aggression is defined when
the dog protects an inappropriate location
as its territory, or an inappropriate
location in an inappropriate context.
It presents as aggression to strangers
when what the dog considers as the dog’s
turf (owners, home, surrounding streets,
car, etc.). is perceived by the dog as
being threatened in some way. People in
uniforms are a particular target. Can
be friendly on neutral territory such
as a veterinary clinic.
Protective aggression relates to the
dog's perception that his owner is being
threatened in some way. Its important
to understand this is what the dog perceives,
not what we perceive. Again, true protective
aggression is when the dog reacts inappropriately
and out of context when there is no real
threat.
Both dominance aggression and fear-related
aggression can be components or can be
independently of the behavior. Generally
speaking it is the intensity of the territorial
or protective drive that is inherited,
and is augmented through learning.
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Dog-on-Dog
Aggression Related to Dominance
Can be generalized or specific to situations.
The dog is aggressive to some other dogs
and displays both posturing (body held
erect, tenseness, tail held up, eyes fixed
on other dog) in the presence of other
dogs and other signs of dominance at home
(being overly confident or pushy).
It is considered abnormal behavior when
the dog responds to another dog whether
or not the dog is challenging or appears
threatening in anyway. Additionally is
is difficult to know if the dog is actually
fear or territorially aggressive. Only
a careful, context specific history
can provide this.
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Dog-on-Dog
Aggression— Related to pack (sibling
Usually occurs with a known dog or between
dogs living in the same household. It
usually involves challenges for status.
Challenges may involve access to resources
(toys, attention, food), or may be more
passive and involve posturing and manipulating
the trajectory and behaviors of the other
dog. Often occurs between dogs of similar
age, or when the younger dog reaches social
maturity. If the older dog refuses to
give way, or neither can maintain sufficient
status to win over the other dog, interdog
aggression results.
A less common form is when submission
of one dog is not enough to discontinue
the aggression. To the extent that this
aggression is considered abnormal depends
on the intensity of the (potentially lethal)response
to normal canine behaviors designed to
resolve the conflict.
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Dog-on-Dog
Aggression Related to Fear
Can be generalized or specific to situations.
This involves more-generalized aggression
to all dogs or dogs of a certain breed
or size. The dog’s history may be
important (for example, aversive events
may have occurred in the dog’s life).
Posturing may be a clue, as for example
if the dog backs off with its tails tucked.
Many of these dogs respond well to the
combination of behavior modification and
pharmacological intervention (anti-anxiety
medication).
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Predatory Aggression
related to small animals
Two types: Dogs that stalk, stare at
or silently pursue small animals, (including
dogs), and sometimes infants, and those
who chase moving objects such as bicycles,
etc., although some dogs exhibiting this
behavior may be exhibiting territorial
behavior. For example, dogs that bark
and discontinuing the chase once out of
the dog's territory is not characteristic
of predatory behavior.
Stealth is an element of hunting behavior
and is considered more dangerous since
the intent is to kill. This problem can
not be treated easily. However if there
is a problem within the home with a baby
or other pet, these dogs can go to other
homes and not be euthanized. Predatory
behavior with small animals does not guarantee
the dog will react inappropriately with
infants, but indicates the dog is at risk
for such problems. These dogs should never
be off lead, unsupervised, or confined
in an area where other animals might cross.
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Possessive
Aggression
Dogs that do not relinquish toys or objects
to owners. If the owner tries to take
the object the dog growls. Often the dog
will present the object for play, and
then strike when the owner reaches for
the object. They may solicit attention
and then respond to the attention with
a challenge.
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Aggression Towards
Babies
Dominant, fearful and predatory dogs
may all present a threat to babies and
young children if they are not properly
controlled. Dominant dogs often do not
pose a threat until children reach toddling
age.
Fearful dogs are most likely to be aggressive
if they cannot escape the unwanted attentions
of unfamiliar or seemingly obnoxious children.
Predatory dogs may pose a threat to newborn
infants, but when the child can sit up,
the infants often no longer elicit predatory
responses from the dog.
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Redirected
Aggression
Dogs may redirect aggression if interrupted
in another aggression (i.e. dog-on-dog
aggression). The dog may turn and threaten
or bite the closest person or animal to
them, who are often not involved. These
dogs may be non-aggressive in the absence
of the interruption of another threat.
However, if it is in response to an
individual who was punishing or threatening
to him then other aggressions types would
have to be considered. It is possible
that it could be part of dominance aggression.
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Food-Related Aggression
Dogs react inappropriately to people
or dogs around food. Generally the higher
quality the food, the more pronounced
the aggression. It can be difficult to
treat because protecting food may be ancestral
adaptive behavior.
When directed at people it may be an
early indication of developing dominance
aggression later in life. It easiest to
feed the dog in an area that guarantees
no disturbance. The behavior won't improve,
but it won't worsen. Some behavior modification
can be beneficial, but anyone who doubts
their ability to execute desensitization
around food should avoid it. Free feeding
is not recommended.
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Play Aggression
Barking, growling or snapping while playing.
A play growl is different from a serious
one. True aggressive growls are lower
pitched and prolonged. A play growl is
usually high-pitches, short, and repeated
frequently. Changes in the pitch may happen
too quickly to safely detect.
Puppies that have not been exposed to
other dogs often to other dogs may play
inappropriately, or may play inappropriately
because the owner encouraged rough play.
Some play aggression is the result of
abandonment, lack of interaction (in a
shelter for example), or restricted access
to other dogs in a normal play situation.
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Maternal Aggression
A female protection of her litter, or
even toys or possessions during false
pregnancy. This can appear to be competitive
aggression however it is hormonal based.
This aggression only lasts two months
during the false pregnancy stage or longer
if there is an actual litter produced.
It can frequently occur with out a threat
display.
However, some hormonal imbalances can
cause abnormal maternal behavior that
requires treatment with medication, and
is particularly important to seek help
from your vet if the mother dog injures
her pups. Spaying reduces maternal aggression.
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Health Related Aggression
The health of a dog can be a big factor
a dog’s behavior (see aggression
related to seizures,
pain,
old age, and medications
below). Always talk to your vet first
about your dog’s aggression. See
medical
issues of aggression for greater detail.
Some diseases causing aggression could
be Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease),
hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, brain
tumors, cognitive dysfunction. Increased
aggression around food and an increased
appetite could be related to hormonal
diseases.
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Seizure Related
Aggression
Caused by seizure-like brain disorders.
Directed toward anyone or anything. Indications–
violent, uncontrollable aggression is
elicited by trivial stimulus. There is
a pre aggression mood change, which last
for minutes or hours before an attack
and a post aggression depression with
reduced responsiveness. It is sometimes
associated with compulsive behaviors,
such as self-licking or snapping at imaginary
flies. See medical
issues related to aggression for greater detail.
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Pain Related Aggression
Response to illness, injury or chronic
pain, such as underlying medical problems
such as painful muscles, joints, and teeth,
an uncomfortable gastrointestinal system
or neurological problems. Aggression can
be toward nearest human or animal.
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Aggression Related to
Old Age
The loss of hearing or sight can cause
a dog to be caught off guard, resulting
in aggression. Also a dog may have some
health issues (also see Health,
Pain and medication
related aggression).
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Aggression Influenced
by Medications
Always check with your vet if your dog
is taking any medication to see if the
medication could contribute to aggression,
or if the aggression may be a reaction
to the medicine. Some common medications
that can contribute to aggression: Phenobarbital
(required medication for seizures, Prednisone
or other corticosteroids.., NSAIDs, including
Rimadyl
**Aggression
categories complied from:
Clinical
Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals,
Karen L. Overall, M.A., V.M.D., Ph.D.
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary
Behavior, Department of Clinical Studies,
School
of Veterinary Medicine, University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Pennsylvania,
Mosby, Inc. 1997
The
Dog Who Loved Too Much: Tales, Treatments,
and the Psychology of Dogs, Dr. Nicolas
Dodman, BVMS, MRCVS, Bantom Books, 1997
References
[1]Special
report, Cornell
University College of Veterinary Medicine
Animal Health Newsletter by Cornell University
College of Veterinary Medicine Animal
Health Newsletter 53 Park Place, new York,
NY 10007
[2]
The
Dog Who Loved Too Much: Tales, Treatments,
and the Psychology of Dogs, Dr. Nicolas
Dodman, BVMS, MRCVS, Bantom Books, 1997
[3]Canine
Aggression: Neurobiology, Behavior and
Management,
Ilana R. Reisner, DVM, Phd, DACVB,
Orgiginally posted on :http://www.vetshow.com/friskies/cani.htm
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