Aggression is the most serious and dangerous type of behavioural problem.
OVERVIEW
Aggression is the act against another animal or person with the intent of harm. Aggression can be in the form of growling, baring teeth, snapping, biting, or staring. The most common causes of aggressive behaviour tend to be due to anxiety, fear or PAIN.
Surprise! The dog training industry is super unregulated. We recommend that you work with veterinary behaviourists or trainers that have trained under reputable training providers (there aren’t many).
TYPES OF AGGRESSION
The following table lists some examples of situations when a dog may show aggressive behaviour.
Please note that some situations may trigger more than one type of aggression.
Types of aggression: |
Common triggers of aggressive behaviour: |
Anxiety |
When on the couch and thinks it will be forced off When in the car and thinks it will be forced out When it thinks it will be punished |
Conflict |
When resisting to share a cushion, couch or enter through a doorway together |
Food |
When the food bowl with food is removed When the food bowl with no food is removed When you drop food and go to pick it up |
Possessive* |
When you go to take a toy When you approach a dog when eating |
Play |
When you go to play with the dog when it has a toy |
Dominance |
When competing for a resource |
Inter-dog |
When another dog approaches a dog playing or eating |
Fear |
When you go to take a toy During bathing When a stranger arrives At the veterinary clinic or boarding facility |
Territorial |
When a stranger passes by the yard |
*Studies suggest that over 60% of dog bites to children occur when a dog is guarding its food or playing with a toy. In these cases, it is important to educate children to stay away from animals that are eating or playing and more importantly for children to be supervised at all times when around pets. It is usually never the animal’s fault, but we love to blame the pet who can’t speak for themselves.
SIGNS
Common signs of aggression or fear:
● Avoiding eye contact or sustained eye contact
● Lowered head or tail
● Ears down, back or forward
● Licking lips
● Yawning
● Leaning forward
● Tense posture
CAUSES
Common causes of aggression:
● Fear
● Anxiety
● Lack of socialisation
● Illness
● Pain
● Neurologic disease
MANAGEMENT
Aggression is the most serious and dangerous behavioural problem and should always be investigated by a veterinary behaviour professional. Punishment should never be used to manage an aggressive or anxious dog.
Each State has specific regulations on declaring individual dogs as dangerous. For further information, seek advice from your local Council.
Tips on managing an episode of aggression:
● Never approach or try to reassure an aggressive pet
● Never challenge an aggressive pet as this can trigger an attack
● Avoid direct eye contact
● Avoid speaking loud
● Give the pet space and allow it room to escape
● Do not reach your hand out to the pet but keep your arms to your side
● Call your veterinarian or local council for advice on how to handle the problem
TIPS
Tips to help prevent the onset of aggression:
● Ensure frequent and gentle handling from a young age
● Socialising with a variety of people and animals in a slow and safe way as the animal can cope
● Puppy school between 12-18 weeks of age with reputable trainers or veterinary nurses
● Start basic care such as clipping nails, checking ears and eyes, sitting with them when they eat, sleep and brushing teeth as early as possible
● Reward good, calm behaviour
● Never punish your dog as this may lead to fear aggression
● Respect that dogs have space and time needs and allow to have a “safe space”
● If you are aware of triggers that cause the dog to react negatively such as a toy, food treat or bike, remove them from the dog's environment or allow the dog to have where no other person or animal can interfere with them enjoying this
● Teach a trade. Teach your dog to trade toys and food for something to build trust with you and your family and friends.
● Use calm cues rather than shouting them, no-one likes to be yelled at
● Exercise your pet daily with calm, slow, age, breed and life-stage appropriate activities
● Have your dog regularly checked particularly if concerned about health-related issues
Seek veterinary professional advice as soon as signs of aggression are noted.