Aggreesion By Dogs

By Dr Nicholas H. Dodman - Professor and Head, Section of Animal Behavior; Director of Behavior Clinic, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine

Introduction
A fatal attack by a mastiff-like Presa Canario in San Francisco in the summer of 2001 focused the nation's attention on aggressive dog breeds and what to do about them. Many questions arose out of the discussion that ensued. Questions such as "Is canine aggression the sizeable problem?" "Are certain breeds more likely to be aggressive?"" What are owners' and breeders' responsibilities in this matter?" "Who is culpable when things go wrong?" Let's take an empirical look at the problem and see if we can establish some truths among the myriad of opinions that are circulating.

Facts (United States)

• Dog bites have reached epidemic proportions
• There are about 4.7 million dog bites per year (dog population = 58 million)
• Over 500,000 people per year receive medical attention for dog bites
• Male dogs are 6 times more likely to bite than females
• Sexually intact dogs are 2.6 times more likely to bite than neutered dogs
• German Shepherds or Chow Chows are frequently involved in biting attacks
• Children are 3 times more likely to be bitten than adults
• There are about 10 dog bite-related fatalities per year
• Rottweiler and Pitbull breeds account for 67 percent of deaths
• The top 10 lethal breeds, accounting for 4 or more human deaths each over the last 20 years, are: Pitbull-type (66), Rottweiler (39), German Shepherd (17), Husky-type (15), Malamute (12), Doberman (9), Chow Chow (8), Saint Bernard (7), Great Dane (7), Akita (4).
• 25 different breeds have been involved in 238 dog bite fatalities over the past 20 years
• 82 percent of deaths involved unrestrained dogs either on (58%) or off (24%) the owners' property

Views

• All dogs may bite - it's just one way that they communicate their will (true)
• Dog bites can largely be prevented by proper training and management (true)
• Dog bite fatalities, though abhorrent, are extremely uncommon (true)
• People are more dangerous than dogs (true)
• Chronically irresponsible dog owners are to blame for many of the problems (true)
• It's not dogs that are a problem, it's the owners (often true)
• To single out certain breeds as being potentially more dangerous is "canine racism" (untrue)

What to do?
There are about 2000 homicides per year in the United States, making humans the most dangerous species around. That said, however low the incidence of human dog bite-related fatalities, it's never acceptable for a dog to kill a person so we need to learn from past mistakes and take avoiding action. Non-lethal dog bites are far more prevalent than dog bite-related fatalities. It's long due for us to take steps to control this epidemic. But what can be done and where should we start?

1. Bad breeding should be discouraged
   Some but not all of the blame rests squarely on breeders' shoulders. Indiscriminate breeding practices, breeding for conformation with minimal or no consideration of temperament, has brought about a deterioration in the "temperamental soundness" of some breeds. Some breeds that were fairly benign 25 years ago, like Cocker Spaniels and Golden Retrievers, now include lines known for aggressive tendencies. It isn't private breeders that are at fault so much as large commercial breeders. Puppy mill breeders have nothing to lose by purveying pups that look the part but are temperamentally flawed. Good breeders usually insist on taking back pups that develop serious behavior problems or other defects. Not so, the mill breeders. The Doberman Pincher breed provides an example of the positive impact responsible breeding can make. The Doberman Club of America became aware that their breed had developed a reputation for having aggressive tendencies but instead of shrugging their shoulders and turning the heads away they decided to breed out the aggressive tendencies. The result is that American Dobermans today have a much more stable temperament. People thinking about acquiring a new puppy should not go to pet stores but should search for responsible breeders. When possible, both of the pup's parents should be seen and their behavioral history should be sought. Preferably the pups should be raised in the home as part of the family and should be well socialized to a variety of every day cues (including visiting children, adult strangers, servicemen, etc). The sensitive period for socialization is in the first 3 - 12 weeks. Opportunities for socialization during this time, particularly, should not be missed
   
2. Encourage appropriate selection of breed
   Most would-be dog owners know very little about the breed that they intend to acquire. They may spend weeks deciding on interior décor but will chose a new dog - a living creature that they will have for some 14 years - in a heartbeat. To encourage clients to look before they leap into dog ownership is highly recommended for a number of reasons, not least of which is breed temperament. Some breeds are "specialist" breeds that require a dedicated and knowledgeable owner, not a first time dog owner, if they are to be successfully managed. Breeds that were artificially selected for enhanced dog fighting ability, extremely high prey drive, or enhanced guarding and protection are ones for the novice to think twice about and perhaps avoid. While okay with the right person, dogs of such breeding may be walking time bombs in inexperienced hands. The size of the dog has some relevance here, too. If an intending owner doesn't know how to train a dog and doesn't have the inclination to learn, they should not pick a huge dog of a potentially aggressive breed. While Yorkshire terriers can give a nasty nip, a Malamute can maim or kill. Owners-to-be should apply some thought before taking the plunge.
   
3. Proper training of all dogs
   Quite a lot can be done to teach pups not to bite hard i.e. that people are soft and "ouchy." When pups are young, they will reach an age when they start to mouth and bite moving things around them. That's okay, but the owner needs to draw a line somewhere, and teach "bite inhibition," just as the bitch and sibs would have done had the pup not been taken away from the litter. The way to do this is to yell "ouch" loudly and withdraw if the puppy's nipping becomes too intense. Ongoing socialization is also vital, right from the getgo. The three most important aspects of raising a good (non-aggressive) puppy are socialization, socialization, and socialization! Proper socialization is an active process not a passive one. The owner should arrange for pleasant happenings to occur for the pup whenever it is in the presence of children, strangers, and other pets. The corollary to this is that the dog should be shielded from unpleasant experiences, like being tied outside next to a school route or being jerked around by "confrontational" dog trainers. If owners can accomplish these objectives, both they and their pup will fare better.
   
4. Teach people to read the warning signs of aggression and be proactive in preventing it
   Some owners are unwilling to accept that their pet could do any harm and they constantly make excuses for their dog's aggressive behavior when it is reported to them. Just because their dog appears sweet and curls up happily on the rug in front of them they think it can do no harm. This is not necessarily true. As mentioned, all dogs can bite if so inclined, particularly if they are set up for it by earlier experiences or the lack thereof. Warning signs include:
   
   • An obsession with squirrels or other small varmints - indicates high predatory drive. Predatory drive can become displaced onto rapidly moving prey facsimiles, e.g. children, joggers, skate boarders, bicyclists.
   • Growling, lifting a lip, snapping, or biting family members
     for any reasons- implies some dominance. Dominance aggression is enhanced if the challenger is of low social standing with respect to the dog. c.f. a child.
   • Growling (or worse) at strangers on or off the owners property - indicates fear. Fear aggression is usually worst on the owners property or on the streets surrounding the property (areas that the dog marks with urine during walks). It is also more marked from the safety of the owner's car or from behind a fence or barrier.
   • Apprehension around children or strangers without overt displays of aggression.

Conclusion
Now we know the truth, its time to impart this wisdom to the dogowning public to prevent as many accidents as possible in the future. Witting and responsible dog ownership will go a long way toward resolving the present problem; a problem that gives dogs a bad name and causes much human and canine suffering. Keeping dogs from wandering around on the streets and making sure that they are properly supervised and controlled in public places would be a big first step. Also, known aggressive dogs should not be allowed to roam unrestrained even on their own turf. Finally, we should all try to encourage responsible breeding of pedigree dogs, help owners recognize the potential of certain large breeds, and should try to spread the word about the importance of early socialization and proper training of dogs. If this all came to pass, the world would be a safer place and dogs would not be receiving such a "bum rap" in the press