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?

    <p>To protect themselves due to perceived threat</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Fear or nervousness around other dogs</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

    <p>To prepare for later combat and hunting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the most common cause of aggression in dogs?

    <p>Fear and anxiety</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of exercise on aggression in dogs?

    <p>Exercise reduces aggression in dogs by boosting serotonin levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of redirected aggression?

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

    Why might a dog resort to redirected aggression?

    <p>For self-defense, sensing a threat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common misconception about aggressive dogs?

    <p>They are not exercised enough</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Excessive play behavior can increase the likelihood of aggression</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Fear and anxiety are the primary causes of aggression</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Hiding, stalking or sneaking</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Arthritis</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Rottweiler</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>The level of vocalization</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Age of the dog</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of predatory aggression in dogs?

    <p>It is silent, except in scent hounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Deficiency of thyroid hormone</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Chronic pain</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>To change the negative association to a positive one</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

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

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

    <p>To make the dog happy to see your approach</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Intended to drive a threat away or eliminate it</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between predatory behavior and aggression?

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

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

    <p>To prevent the dog from guarding the object</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Start by walking by the dish while the dog is eating</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>To protect its resources and food supply from intruders</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

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

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

    <p>Gradually introduce the dog to the presence of humans while it has a resource</p> 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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    Learn about the different forms of aggression in dogs, including defensive and intent-based behaviors, and how they display reactivity.

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