Canine Aggression and Reactivity

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of distance increasing actions displayed by aggressive dogs?

To get the person or dog to move away (correct)

To initiate play

To seek attention

To protect food

Which of the following is NOT a factor contributing to the likelihood of dog aggression?

Lack of structure

Breeding and genetic predisposition

Thyroid malfunction or other medical conditions

Lack of exercise (correct)

At what stage of a dog's life is aggression most likely to manifest?

Adolescence to social maturity (6 months to 4 years) (correct)

Old age (above 10 years)

Puppyhood (0-6 months)

Middle age (4-10 years)

What is the primary reason why some dogs display aggression towards other dogs or people?

To protect themselves due to perceived threat Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a warning sign of potential dog aggression?

Fear or nervousness around other dogs Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between aggressive dogs and non-aggressive dogs?

Aggressive dogs are more defensive and harm only when they feel threatened Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of play behavior in dogs, such as tackling and chasing?

To prepare for later combat and hunting Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common cause of aggression in dogs?

Fear and anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of exercise on aggression in dogs?

Exercise reduces aggression in dogs by boosting serotonin levels Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of redirected aggression?

A dog barking at a stranger, then biting its owner Signup and view all the answers

Why might a dog resort to redirected aggression?

For self-defense, sensing a threat Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about aggressive dogs?

They are not exercised enough Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between play behavior and aggression in dogs?

Excessive play behavior can increase the likelihood of aggression Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between fear and anxiety-related aggression and dominance aggression?

Fear and anxiety are the primary causes of aggression Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following behaviors is a common indicator of predatory aggression in dogs?

Hiding, stalking or sneaking Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is NOT a major medical cause of aggression in dogs?

Arthritis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following breeds is NOT prone to behavioral seizures?

Rottweiler Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between predatory aggression and territorial aggression?

The level of vocalization Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT a potential contributor to aggression in dogs?

Age of the dog Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of predatory aggression in dogs?

It is silent, except in scent hounds Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common consequence of hypothyroidism in dogs?

Deficiency of thyroid hormone Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential underlying cause of pain-induced aggression in dogs?

Chronic pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of possession exchanges during dog training?

To change the negative association to a positive one Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if the dog shows signs of discomfort during training?

Move away and do a bit more work at a previous distance Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct approach to teaching a dog what to do?

Teaching the dog what you want them to do and rewarding good choices Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of tossing high-value treats into the dog's dish during training?

To make the dog happy to see your approach Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of aggression in the context of dog behavior?

Intended to drive a threat away or eliminate it Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between predatory behavior and aggression?

Predatory behavior is not intended to drive a threat away Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to remove the object during possession exchanges?

To prevent the dog from guarding the object Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct approach to training a dog that food guards?

Start by walking by the dish while the dog is eating Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary intention behind a dog's territorial aggression?

To protect its resources and food supply from intruders Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended approach to prevent a dog from resource guarding?

Do not give the dog high-value items and instead use desensitization and counterconditioning Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of a dog's resource guarding behavior?

To ensure that it gets to keep its valued resources Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended approach to handling a dog that is resource guarding?

Gradually introduce the dog to the presence of humans while it has a resource Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Aggression in Dogs

Aggression is defined as the intent to do harm, and can manifest in various forms, including barking, growling, and snapping.
Dog-aggressive dogs primarily display defensive aggression, only harming others if they feel they have no other option.
Factors contributing to the development of dog aggression include:
- Anxiety, fear, or phobia
- Lack of structure
- Lack of proper exposure to other dogs during the critical socialization period
- Early imprinting by an aggressive or nervous dam
- Traumatic experiences
- Territorial behavior
- Thyroid malfunction or other medical conditions
- Abuse from owners
- Medical or physical ailments
- Breeding and genetic predisposition
Dog aggression typically manifests between adolescence and social maturity (6 months to 4 years).

Common Aggression Triggers

Fear and anxiety-related aggression are often misdiagnosed as dominance aggression.
Lack of exercise is not a cause of aggressive behavior, although exercise can complement behavior modification programs.
Aggression can be triggered by various factors, including:
- Redirected aggression
- Territorial aggression
- Resource guarding aggression
- Predatory aggression

Redirected Aggression

Redirected aggression occurs when a dog becomes aroused by a trigger and redirects their aggression towards a source not directly linked to the trigger.
Examples of redirected aggression include:
- A dog fighting with another dog, then attacking the owner who tries to stop them.
- Two dogs barking at something over the fence, then fighting each other.
Redirected aggression can be a result of self-defense, frustration, or physical punishment.

Territorial Aggression

Territorial aggression is directed towards intruders, human, pet, or wild.
Both male and female dogs guard territory.
Territorial aggression is intended to drive trespassers away from the home and food supply.
Territorial behavior may include chasing a victim.

Resource Guarding Aggression

Resource guarding aggression occurs when a dog learns to defend valued resources, such as food or toys, from humans.
To prevent resource guarding, avoid giving high-value objects to the dog, and feed them in a quiet room with minimal traffic.
A program of desensitization and counterconditioning is the most successful way to help a resource guarder.
Possession exchanges can help change the negative association to a positive one.

Predatory Aggression

Predatory behavior is not technically aggression, as it involves chasing and catching prey, rather than driving a threat away.
Predatory aggression is preceded by hiding, stalking, or sneaking, and is usually silent.
Predatory aggression is directed at small moving targets, and is never directed at something the dog fears.
Hunting and retrieving are forms of predatory behavior.

Medical Causes of Aggression

Hypothyroidism, a condition in which the dog's thyroid isn't functioning adequately, can cause aggressive behavior.
Neurological problems, such as head trauma, brain tumors, or epilepsy, can also cause aggressive behavior.
Behavioral seizures, which occur in breeds such as Springer and Cocker spaniels, can cause sudden aggressive behavior.
Pain, especially chronic and severe pain, can also cause aggressive behavior in dogs.

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Description

Learn about the different forms of aggression in dogs, including defensive and intent-based behaviors, and how they display reactivity.

Canine Aggression and Reactivity

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of distance increasing actions displayed by aggressive dogs?

Which of the following is NOT a factor contributing to the likelihood of dog aggression?

At what stage of a dog's life is aggression most likely to manifest?

What is the primary reason why some dogs display aggression towards other dogs or people?

Which of the following is a warning sign of potential dog aggression?

What is the main difference between aggressive dogs and non-aggressive dogs?

What is the primary function of play behavior in dogs, such as tackling and chasing?

What is the most common cause of aggression in dogs?

What is the effect of exercise on aggression in dogs?

What is an example of redirected aggression?

Why might a dog resort to redirected aggression?

What is a common misconception about aggressive dogs?

What is the relationship between play behavior and aggression in dogs?

What is the primary difference between fear and anxiety-related aggression and dominance aggression?

Which of the following behaviors is a common indicator of predatory aggression in dogs?

Which of the following conditions is NOT a major medical cause of aggression in dogs?

Which of the following breeds is NOT prone to behavioral seizures?

What is the primary difference between predatory aggression and territorial aggression?

Which of the following factors is NOT a potential contributor to aggression in dogs?

What is the primary characteristic of predatory aggression in dogs?

Which of the following is a common consequence of hypothyroidism in dogs?

Which of the following is a potential underlying cause of pain-induced aggression in dogs?

What is the primary goal of possession exchanges during dog training?

What should you do if the dog shows signs of discomfort during training?

What is the correct approach to teaching a dog what to do?

What is the purpose of tossing high-value treats into the dog's dish during training?

What is the definition of aggression in the context of dog behavior?

What is the primary difference between predatory behavior and aggression?

Why is it important to remove the object during possession exchanges?

What is the correct approach to training a dog that food guards?

What is the primary intention behind a dog's territorial aggression?

What is the recommended approach to prevent a dog from resource guarding?

What is the primary goal of a dog's resource guarding behavior?

What is the recommended approach to handling a dog that is resource guarding?

Study Notes

Aggression in Dogs

Common Aggression Triggers

Redirected Aggression

Territorial Aggression

Resource Guarding Aggression

Predatory Aggression

Medical Causes of Aggression

Studying That Suits You

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