Dominance Based Aggression in Dogs

 

Dominance Aggression

 

What Is It And Why Does It Occur?

 

Random House Unabridged Dictionary defines “dominance” is as “having high status in a social group, usually acquired as the result of aggression…”

 

Dogs in their natural undomesticated state, instinctively form packs for survival. The pack facilitates survival tasks impossible for an individual to accomplish – such as hunting, or protecting territory. Hierarchy within the pack is determined by physical strength and aggression. The strongest and most skilled member of the pack assumes the leadership role, theoretically improving the pack’s survival potential. A pack usually consists of a male leader, a female leader and descending ranks of lower members and offspring, in fact something like an extended family.

 

When a dog joins our human family he necessarily views it as a pack situation, and tries to define his role accordingly. He seeks signals to show who is the leader of this pack and where he fits into the pack hierarchy. Depending on the kinds of signals we give, they may even challenge the order of the pack – or even the pack leader – with assertions of dominance or direct confrontational aggression.

 

Sometimes owners intentionally encourage their dogs to assume a dominant position, thinking that it is cute or funny, or out of a misplaced idea that the dog actually does have the leadership role. This will always turn out badly for both dog and owner as it obviously contradicts the reality of the dog’s existence – you feed it, discipline it, provide medical care, etc – and can lead to dominance based aggression as the dog tries to fulfill this role in your place. This is a very unhealthy mindset for the owner and extremely confusing for the dog, because when the dog begins to exhibit the dominance he thinks he has been accorded, he is rebuffed, punished or disowned.

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Therefore we have a responsibility to exercise a certain amount of informed control over our pet and to ensure our pet understands his real role in our lives

 

What Does Dominance-based Aggression Look Like?

 

When displaying aggression, a dominant dog appears and behaves quite differently from his normal self. When dominance aggression is provoked in the dog he will display very clear signals:

• The dominant dog will be squared up to his target, making direct eye contact.
• The dominant dog will puff himself out in order to look larger than he is; ears will be perked up and pointing forward; his tail will be stiff and upright and he’ll walk with a stiff unnatural gait.
• He will be standing fully erect, at maximum height.

 

In dominance aggression, there is often no warning at all, just a swift and silent attack because the purpose here is confrontation, domination and victory, not avoidance of the threat:

• The dominant dog will usually target the face, neck, chest and upper arms.
• The dominant dog will attempt a full-mouthed bite to cause submission, not to kill, but attacks by dominant dogs on humans are sometimes fatal due to the target area and the tenacity of these bites.

 

What Are The Signs Of Potential Dominance Based Aggression?

 

Hints that your dog may have developed a dominant streak can include the following behaviors:

 

• jumping on top of you
• leg humping or mounting
• attempts to hold higher ground (back of sofa, top of stairs, bed, etc)
• walking or standing over you
• Non-reciprocated petting (you give, he takes)
• “commands” from him (such as barking, door scratching, initiating shaking hands) that demand an action from us (such as opening doors, giving rewards, petting)
• Refusal to allow us to inspect paws, ears or other body parts
• Leading or pulling during a walk or carrying the leash in his mouth
• refusal to give up toys
• aggression when we attempt to take food or treats from him.

 

This can seem like a list of common ‘doggy’ antics, but now look it over again from a more informed viewpoint, and you’ll begin to understand that these ‘antics’ hold an entirely different significance for your relationship with your dog.

 

Common Causes & Prevention

While dogs are naturally equipped for aggressive behavior, they usually reserve that aggression for moments of peril, and the need to assert dominance. Unfortunately this need can be inadvertently and artificially created by the owner himself. Here are some common mistakes made by many owners that confuse the dog’s judgment about who is the leader of the pack:

 

• Feeding them before us.
• Excessively petting, grooming and giving in to their demands.
• Carrying them in our arms.
• Allowing them on furniture, beds and high places.
• Allowing them to jump on us or our guests.
• Not taking the lead while out on walks.

 

Prevention is the best way to avoid dominance problems. While still a puppy:

• teach your dog to give you toys and treats.
• When feeding, have your dog sit and wait for his food.
• Reach into this food with your hands and teach him that you can still exert control, and that your control over him is not a bad thing.
• During puppy hood make your dog comfortable with the idea of being touched by handling him.

 

How Do You Solve Dominance-Based Aggression?

If you suspect that your dog has already developed dominance problems, there is no need to directly challenge him. You can use discretion and intelligence to show your dog that you are the pack leader without provoking aggression:

 

• Demand that your dog sit before his food.
• Pick up his toys and allow him to play with them one at a time and during a specific play time.
• If your dog pulls during your walk, simply stop. Don’t continue walking until he stops pulling. When the pulling stops, continue your walk. Only allow forward progress when he’s paying attention to you.
• If you insist on allowing your dog on sofas and beds, make sure he understands that you are permitting this – use a command such as “sofa!” to let your dog know that he is on the sofa with your permission. Practice ordering your dog on and off the sofa by saying “sofa!” and “down!” and giving him plenty of rewards and praise for following the commands.

 

Remember that unlimited freedom will send the wrong message: treats, praise, toys and attention are something to be earned by good behavior, not provided as a right.

 

An obedience course will help your dog understand his relationship to you. Enroll in a group class where YOU do the training.

 

Obedience training shows the dog that you are in control in a non-threatening way and will go a long way to correct any misconceptions you or your dog might have about his role in your life.

 

 

Copyright © 2011 by Patrick Bundock. All rights reserved.