Aggression Isn't for Everyone
Owning an aggressive or reactive dog can be a full-time job. It brings about a plethora of emotions so intertwined that both dog and owner are affected. This is an experience I am all too familiar with since I own a reactive dog. I never went to school thinking “oh wow, it will be so cool to work with aggressive dogs”. No this was not on my trainer’s bucket list. However, I began to recognize that at least ¾ of clients that came to me for private training had a dog with behavior problems related to reactivity and aggression. I was hungry for more knowledge, and a deeper understanding of the science behind canine behavior. In particular, aggression and reactivity.
Aggression is defined as “the practice of making assaults or attacks, an offensive action in general”. An adaptation dogs use to aide them in survival, aggression can be used to gain control over resources or personal space. When our dog behaves in an aggressive manner, we might see a variety of body language and vocalization ranging from a lip lift, baring teeth, snarling, air snapping, growling, biting, and in some cases charging. These behaviors can result in serious injury and sometimes death, not just a human death but the death of another animal. Aggression is also one of many social behaviors that dogs use to communicate information to other dogs, humans, and other species. This behavior serves a function for them and generally aides them in protecting against things in the outside world which they have “big feelings” about.
A reactive dog is one with an abnormal level of arousal in response to a normal stimulus. Thus, the dog who barks a few times at the doorbell would not be considered reactive, but the dog that barks excessively at the sight of another dog, a non-threatening human, a passing vehicle, or any other stimulus that causes a significant overreaction would be. The reaction doesn’t have to be extreme to be considered reactivity – “just abnormal”. (ref. Pat Miller)
Dogs that present with aggressive or reactive behaviors can lead their best lives with proper intervention and assistance from a qualified trainer and when deemed necessary a veterinary behaviorist. If you want to change your dog’s undesirable behavior(s), she needs to stop practicing those behaviors. Management is a critical component of a successful behavior modification plan.
Credentials are important when choosing the best trainer for your dog. A certified professional dog trainer that is also a credentialed canine behaviorist will use their knowledge, experience and extensive training in canine aggression when assessing behavior. The most humane training plan should be based on science, safe for the dog and handler, effective and follow LIMA (Least Invasive Minimally Aversive) standards to the greatest extent possible. The impact of misinformed and undereducated trainers working with aggression cases can be catastrophic. These impacts can cause lifelong suffering to both the dog and pet parent. This can and should be avoided at all costs. Your dog is counting on you to find the trainer she needs!
To learn more, visit:
www.behaviorworks.org/files/articles/What'sWrongWiththisPicture.pdf