Each year around 800,000 Americans and 200,000 Brits seek medical help in relation to dog bites. As it is estimated that 50% of dog bites go unreported the actual number of people bitten could be double those numbers. But it is known that in the cases of those injuries which were serious enough to merit hospital admission, the majority of the victims were children.
Clearly dog aggression is a big problem. It is in fact the most common problem seen by animal behaviourists.
What causes it?
Genes play a part. Certain breed types, such as German Shepherds, Dobermans, Akitas and Rottweilers were bred for their aggressive instincts but behaviourists are as likely to encounter aggressive poodles and Yorkshire terriers.
Mistreatment is another cause of aggression. Aggressive traits develop slowly and a dog displaying aggressive tendencies is more likely to be punished physically, which unfortunately reinforces the aggression until it reaches a point where the dog attacks.
Isolation is another cause. A dog unused to humans may display nervous aggression if one approaches.
Mishandling by inexperienced owners causes a dog to become spoiled. Too many treats, given for no reason; too much petting; allowing the dog to sleep on beds and furniture, can all be instrumental in turning the family dog into a diva, intent on domination.
How can it be cured?
Unfortunately, by the time a dog is biting and snapping at humans it's a job for a professional behaviourist. Retraining an aggressive dog really is a job best left to the experts as potentially, you or a member of your family could be injured.
A better question would be:
How can it be prevented?
In the case of aggression, a teaspoon of prevention is better than a barrel-load of cure.
Dogs are pack animals and a pack has a pecking order: a ranking system maintained by a combination of body language and actions.
A family is a pack and most dogs are happy to rank below the human members. Some though, will challenge the more submissive members of the family, especially children. Once they've established dominance over the smaller and more vulnerable members they invariably move on to try to dominate the adults. Aggression is a way of exerting dominance.
Dominant and aggressive behaviour tends to begin during a dog's adolescence, as it moves towards sexual maturity: between 4 - 15 months of age. Neutering a male dog can help reduce this tendency, especially if the operation is performed before sexual maturity is reached. However, if the dominant behaviour is already established then extra training will be required too.
Neutering aside, there are plenty of techniques you can use to prevent a dog becoming dominant and aggressive.
For a puppy
Socialise a puppy early. It's widely accepted that puppies which are not socialised by fourteen or fifteen weeks old, are very likely to develop behaviour problems, particularly those associated with aggression.
Puppy classes, meeting friends with other pups, children and (friendly) adult dogs are great ways to socialise your puppy.
Don't punish physically because it can reinforce the aggressive behaviour.
If the puppy becomes over excited when playing (especially with a child), remove the toy, or the child and withdraw attention so that the pup learns to play more gently.
For an older dog
Make sure the dog is well exercised, both physically and mentally. Well-exercised dogs are proven to be less likely to develop behavioural problems.
Avoid triggering the aggressive behaviour while you are trying to cure it. If the dog is protective of his bowl, send him to fetch a toy or sit on his bed while you remove it. If he's aggressive when you tell him to get off the sofa, don't let him get up there in the first place.
Teach your dog that everything has to be earned with good, calm, obedient behaviour. Put yourself in charge. Make him sit, or lie down before playing with him. Make him perform some trick or command before giving him a treat or taking him for a walk.
You are the pack leader. You go through doors first. Tell the dog to sit before going through then only call him once you're through.
Similarly all games should begin and end when you say so and should end with the dog returning the toy to you.
Only feed the dog once you and your family have finished eating. The dog should be taught to wait calmly.
These tips will help you bring a dog which is showing early signs of aggressive dominance under control. If the behaviour is well established or the dog has actually bitten someone please call in an experienced and qualified behaviourist, for the sake of your family and the dog.
Finally: even a dog which has previously behaved in an exemplary manner can behave in aggressive manner if provoked, even accidentally. For this reason, never leave children and dogs alone together. You don't want to end up a statistic.
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