Understanding AGGRESSION
"Aggression" is one of the most misunderstood, misinterpreted, and mishandled behavioral phenomenons in dogs (yes, even by a number of trainers).
Common misread and misinterpreted situations...
- assertive or strong energy puppies (often getting labeled as "aggressive"),
- submissive grinning (a tactic dogs use to diffuse the intensity of a situation, throw up a doggie peace sign, and convey the message, "I got no beef with you... let's share a plate of spaghetti and meatballs under a moonlit sky"),
- a wagging tail (repeat after me: A WAGGING TAIL DOES NOT MEAN A "HAPPY" OR "FRIENDLY" DOG! When a dog is escalating and rising in ***state of mind*** - a good or not-so-good shade of it - their tail is "wagging", though the nature of the wag is different),
- vocal or super mouthy play,
...to name a few.
The first year of any dog's life is a most critical and impressionable one for many, many reasons.
Many dogs **do not receive** what they need from us- as dog raisers and "parents"- within this first year.
There are more people than not "getting a dog", totally winging this dog thing, and hoping for the best. Many often enter into the relationship (and it is a relationship) with a *laundry list* of expectations of what they want their dog to be like. If and when the dog doesn't measure up? The dog is either banned to living life in the yard or in isolation somewhere in the house, re-homed, etc.
Dogs are, by nature, a social species of animal- as are humans.
Relationship, association, exposure, feeling safe and secure- in their own skin/ in their home/ in the world at large, etc- are big important things.
Many dogs have experienced a level of trauma prior to coming to us, which impacts their personal filters and "default" settings. This doesn't have to mean "physical abuse", it can also mean:
- abandonment,
- living in isolation,
- neglect,
- needs not being met,
- living with people who aren't providing any guidance or leadership,
- living with people who are anxiety ridden, reactive, emotionally unstable, and who maintain a certain level of tension in the home,
- not feeling understood by the people raising them,
- living in a chronic state of *feeling unsafe* under the care of the people they're living with, in the home, and in the world, in general.
...and so on.
Most dogs live with people who have little to no relevance to the dog. People who don't represent a source of energy they feel they can "lower their guard" and defenses when out in the world with them. Someone they feel who can handle whatever may come their way, and who has their back.
Oftentimes, there's an energy discrepancy between the dog and human (e.g. a stronger energy dog with a softer energy human or vice versa) that contributes to this, as well.
As well, what most people see as "aggression" is oftentimes a form of *self-advocacy*... especially in the case of the more sensitive dogs. These dogs tend to slide into a state of overwhelm and extreme discomfort when their personal and intimate space is encroached upon without pre-existing rapport or relationship (remember our post about the different levels of space and their importance? https://www.facebook.com/PackFit2014/posts/pfbid0tPKcpGmAVE9d9CUauhj32JLmh6o2FJR1fpBHadK8hvHnkqyEqzFbsK6nPbMsB3qkl ).
Unfortunately for dogs, they're cute, furry, and people want to touch and move in for "pets" (with little to no regard about how the dog feels about this).
If and when the dog doesn't have an **advocate** in their human, they feel the pressure of having to advocate for themselves. This is where we see a lot of bites that become labeled as aggression.
More often than not, AGGRESSION IS A RESPONSE.
There's a difference between a "vicious" dog, and an aggressive dog. Very, very few dogs are born vicious; and most aggression cases are simply RESPONSES to : their personal and intimate space being disrespected and invaded, not feeling safe or comfortable with the interactions being forced upon them, their warning signals being missed and/or ignored, *strong energy* dogs assuming the roles in the pack and household because the humans aren't and haven't, frustration building from unmet needs (essential, individual, breed-specific), etc.
Now, on the upside of things, once the dog uses his mouth - space is then yielded and returned, and relief and comfort is restored. Message received (whereas previous messages and warning signals were not, so the dog had to step up the message).
Dogs will continue to practice what works and whatever they're *GAINING* something through. If relief and space was gained, and using their mouth was the only thing that worked for them to get it.... guess what starts to be conditioned.
On the downside of this, someone gets bit, and the dog gets mislabeled, misjudged, and their world becomes exponentially smaller (less accesses, less socialization, less exposure, living more isolated lives) or they lose their homes, get bounced around with that "story" attached to them wherever they go like a bad stain .... or even euthanized because of this.
Again, I highlight the fact that dogs will practice what works; and, since this method works (space almost always given, especially in the case of people)- it can become a self-reinforcing thing and will be practiced **the longer the dog has to advocate for themselves.**
As with any given behavior, aggression is multi-layered and could be born of a great number of things:
- health or medical issue / imbalance,
- pain or discomfort,
- self protection and preservation,
- feeling unsafe and unsupported,
- lack of human advocacy (as "pet parents", this is our job, social responsibility, and parental responsibility to them),
- trauma,
- energy discrepancy and imbalance between dog and human (strong and soft),
- attempt to avoid further conflict or circumstantial escalation,
- fear or anxiety,
- frustration build up (from one or more of their instinctual,
individual, and/or breed-specific needs not being met or
provided for),
- prey drive (often misinterpreted as aggression, and every dog will have a different level of this),
- sex drive,
- maternal protection,
...and so on.
Dogs are ALWAYS in communication with us, and do so via body language, posture, and vocalization. There's also an emotional component feeding behavior that, oftentimes, doesn't get spoken to and folks don't get educated on.
The problem with dogs is that the great majority of the human population caring for them simply doesn't understand them. They're winging this dog raising thing.
We don't understand dogs as dogs, how to communicate with them effectively, or how to read and interpret what *they* are saying.
The more signals and messaging gets missed, un-tended to, etc., the faster a dog may go from Point A to Z, skipping all the other signals in between (e.g. "hello... I don't feel so good about this.... um, hey- I'm really uncomfortable here... HEY... I'M REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE HERE...." messaging to "YOU WON'T LISTEN TO ME, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE YOU").
Unless one is blessed with a super soft energy, marshmallow type of dog with the tolerance of an angel and whose personal motto is "love, peace, and chicken grease," this can lead to just a big ol' mess (oftentimes the dog bearing the brunt of this).
Aggression can be a form of communication, a manner of expression, reflective of an internal condition, reflective of an internal or external conflict, or a response, so it behooves us to understand the signs.
Bites can happen in a split second, and can also be the final blow of something that's been building over time (through repeated offenses - like children being permitted to use the family dog as their personal jungle gym).
As with any behavior, its treatment is highly dependent upon its cause.
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If you're struggling with your dog's behavior, please check out our behavioral masterclasses in the PackFit Academy. You - and your dog - don't have to live a life of discomfort, hardship, and in fear.
- PackFit's Behavioral Masterclass,
- Training the Strong Energy Dog,
- Training the Aggressive Dog,
- Walk Like A Boss,
...and more.
Valuable information that can be acquired from the comfort of your own home.
