Kelden's K9 Behavior: Aggression
DOG ON DOG AGGRESSION

by Kelley Ireland

There are many different types of aggression. The most common form of aggression is called: "dominance" aggression, followed by "territorial" aggression.Other types of aggression are:learned aggression(trained intentionally or unintentionally),small animal aggression, large animal aggression, fearful aggression, dog to dog aggression, and combinations of the above.

Many solutions are offered, but should NOT be attempted unless you can convince your dog that you are not apprehensive, and that any other party involved is not fearful of the dog's reactions.

If you tense up, your dog will know it immediatly and take it as a signal that he too, should get ready for action. If you are trying to convience your dog that another party is "ok", then the other party must act completely normal, otherwise their reactions will communicate that something is wrong, and the dog may respond by displaying aggressive behavior.

It is often easier to start out the corrective training on a neutral territory with a fence between you and the target of your dog's aggression. This will allow you to be more relaxed so as not to alert your dog.

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It is believed that dogs do not care so much where they belong on the hierarchy ladder, just as long as they know where they belong. This straight belief becomes somewhat bent when dealing with very dominant dogs who obviously wish to be alpha, and very insecure dogs who obviously will be submissive to anyone and anything they encounter. But still as a belief, it holds some weight; especially when trying to convince people that they need not feel "sorry"for the "omega"(bottom dog) . Probelms will almost always occur when well-meaning people feel sorry for the omega dog and unknowingly begin treating it as an "alpha", AND CREATING VICIOUS JEALOUSY AND DOG FIGHTS IN THE PROCESS. <o:p></o:p>

The first thing to do when you have two or more dogs is to figure out which one isthe "alpha." The alpha dog usually displays the following:

* ALWAYS wins a tug-of war with other dogs
* RECEIVES the most attention from the other dogs
* RARELY licks the other dogs on the mouth.
* Wins all STARING CONTEST with the other dogs
* May become JEALOUS when the other dogs receive attention from you.
* May STEAL or GUARDtoys,chewies, food, etc.
*Usually has FIRST CHOICE of the best sleeping areas.
* May push his way to be FIRST out/in the door.
* May MOUNT the other dogs(male & female).

In contrast, the "omega" dog usually displays the following:

* ALWAYS gives up first at tug-of-war.
* GIVES the most attention and affection to the other dogs, usually licking their mouths.
* LOOKS AWAY when being stared at by the other dogs, and probably by you too.
* Freely GIVES UPtoys, chewies, food,sleeping area, etc.to the other dogs.
* Rolls on back and displays "BELLY" to other dogs, and probably to you too.
* May pee upon greeting the other dogs, and possibly people too.

BACK TO BASICS; Once you've determined where everyone stands on the hierarchy ladder, it is YOUR responsibility to reassure them constantly and make them feel securein their positions. If an alpha dog does not feel secure in his position as alpha, he will usually exaggerate his position to reassure himself. Exaggerating dominance(i.e., alpha)=aggression. This can be a problem at best, and deadly at worst. Therefore, here are some suggestions on how to reassure your dogs. <o:p></o:p>

The alpha dog gets everything FIRST !
He gets first choice of tpys, chewies, sleeping areas, etc. This can be tricky. Although he gets first choice (because you respect his alpha position), he is not allowed to change his mind and STEAL toys, etc. by staring, growling, pouncing, or attacking. It is your responsibility that you do not allow him to "bully." He may be allowed to "guard" his chosen toy as long as he isn't growling at the other dogs clear across the room, not letting them pass thru door openings, hoarding all the toys and guarding them, etc. If he begins this behavior, take his objects away, put it out of sight and sneak it into the dogs box for someone else to find at a later time. The easiest way to give your alpha dog first choice is to take two toys, present them to him, let him pick one, then give the other one to the omega dog.

One of the best ways I've found to reassure pack position, especially when there is a new furry arrival, is to give the dogs' food treats in pack order. Let's say the alpha dog is "Buck", and the omega dog is "Tyler." Instruct all the dogs to SIT. Then, say "Buck's Treat!" and give a food treat to Buck. Then say "Tyler's Treat!" and give treat to Tyler. This exercise alone spells out very clearly where everyone stands on the ladder and also confirms they are both at the bottom of the "people+dog pack" because YOU are giving the food.

While you are doing the above suggestions it is important that you do not unwittingly encourage aggression in the alpha dog. This sometimes happends because people are under the false impression that they are supposed tolavish the alpha dog with attention, while almost ignoring the omega dog. If this happends, the omega dog may have a difficult time gaining confidence in itself because it is rarely praised for anything. And to make matters worse, the alpha dog may beleive that your true desire is to ignore the omega dog and give him(alpha dog) attention. Therefore, he beleives he is serving you by growling and showing aggression towards the omega dog.

This situation can be difficult and usually occurs when introducing a new dog into the pack.

Although the alpha dog may get more attention, do not lavish attention on him while purposely ignoring the omega dog. At the same time, you need to try tosneak in as much attention toward that omega dog as possible! Don't lock the alpha in another room to give the omega attention, rather, give the alpha a"job"to do, so he is servingyou and pleasing you. Play fetch with him while you pet the omega dog(easier said then done, but possible), put him in a down stay while you groom the omega dog(after you groomed him first) . When your done grooming, release them both at the sametime, then PRAISE the alpha first,then the omega. Do not praisethe omega less, just last! <o:p></o:p>

Avoid "holding" one dog.

Whenever a dog is on a lap, or withina "hug"(especially if the dog is Physically higher then the other, i.e. on a chair, couch, etc), they may become territorially protective of you the territory. If you must hold a dog, try to hold the alpha first to appease him, then put him down stay while you hold the omega. I have personally found that praising with food treats can be beneficial if you have a food-oriented alpha and you give the treats a (physical) distance apart from one another. If the dogs are commanded to "sit" before given a food treat every time before they are given the treat, they should stay in the "sit" apart from one another until they are both done eating and you release them. This will inhibit any desire for the alpha dog to attack the omega for the food.

When you have three or more dogs in a household it can be more difficult to figure out the pack hierarchy.In any pack, the standard is:

1. Alpha Male(Most dominant male)
2. Alpha Female(Most dominant Female)
3. Beta(Second most dominant Male)
4. Everyone in between
5. Omega(Most Submissive)

Aggression towards other dogs outside the pack.

Most dog fights happen because of carelessness. Your dog does not have tolike everydoghe sees. If you watchhim and get to understand his behavior patterns, dogfights and aggression towards other dogs can almost always be avoided. If your dog is leashed and growls at another dog or raises his hackles, first correct his unnecessary aggressive display with a firm leash correction and a no-nonsence NO. Then promptly remove him from the area of the other dog. If you ask for and get agreement fromthe owner of the other dog, you can, instead, stay long enough to give two or three more corrections. Always follow up with praise when and if the dog acts blase' towards the other dog after your correction.
Sometimes the leash, your instrument of control and safety, can be the cause of the aggression. On leash, your dog feels more frustrated as well as more feisty. Like the held back drunk who says, "let me go and I'll rip him apart," so the leashed dog feels tougher when held than when free. However, good judgement must be exercised before dogs are set free in the hopes that they will play.
Sometimes, when free and given room to manever, dogs will work things out on their own in a peaceful manner. They will sniff each other out, be a bit pushy, growl, walk on their toes and then play like puppies- but not always. Males often take an instant dislike to other males, perticularly but not only if they have been bred or if there is a bitch around, even a spayed one. Some males, depending on breed, temperment, enviroment, training and perhaps their hormones, take to easygoing play with other males dogs more or less all the time. Others never do. Bitches are less likly to fight, yet they may. You must KNOW your dog and watch other dogs. If everyone seems amenable and your dog willcome back when called, you can let him play with the other dogs-but don't do so with eyes closed.
If, with all your care and attention, a fight breaks out, try to break it up without getting your hands involved.Anyway you can douce the dogs with water often works to shock them enough to get them apart. If the dogs have tails, a person pulling on each dog can be effective. Some people grasp the hind legs of both dogs and lift them off the ground, but a dog in the middle of a fight may just lash out and bite, even if he would not normally do so.
There is no magic way of breaking up a fight without getting hurt ! If you are luck enough to have a blanket handy, toss it over the head to disrupt the fight. However, you may have to decide, quickly, if you will just stand by and let them fight it out or if you are willing to seperate them with the knowledge that you will probably be bitten. <o:p></o:p>

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