Owner Aggression Leads to Dog Aggression Says New Study

Many dog owners have learned that training with hurtful or aggressive techniques are not the best techniques. Others use physical punishment and strong dominance techniques. Now a study from University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School confirms that dogs who are trained with aggressive methods are more likely to display aggression to their owners. Our dogs learn from us, much as our children do. If an owner is aggressive to a dog when unhappy with the dog's behavior the dog will respond in kind.

Aggression is the number one reason owners bring dogs to veterinary behaviorists, according to the study. Punching, kicking or hitting is listed as most likely to evoke an aggressive response from a dog, with as much as a 43% chance. The article does not specify what behavior from the dog qualifies as aggressive. Other training techniques that may get an aggressive response include growling at the dog (41 %), rolling the dog on its back, the "alpha roll" (31%), staring the dog down (30%) and grabbing the dog by its jowls and shaking (26 %).

For many years, trainers would teach owners to use a rolled up newspaper to discipline dogs. Over time that changed and training based on pack mentality and status within the pack has been heavily taught for the last few decades. It's better than the beatings but puts the dog in the position of considering challenging for dominance as it would in a pack. Pack training still encourages aggression. I've found that harsh techniques make the dog remember the treatment, rather than the lesson. (Besides, you try "alpha rolling" a 150 pound Newfoundland!)

Positive training methods work well. It requires more patience than other methods. A sliver of hot dog will convince nearly any puppy to do exactly what you need it to do. A "good puppy!" to go with that teaches the puppy to respond to praise. Positive training methods build trust and a desire to please and behave well.

According to the CDC, every year dog owners and family member are bitten by their own dogs. As many as 800,000 Americans seek medical treatment for dog bites and half of those are in the emergency room. An average of twelve people die from dog bites in the US every year. More than 3,000 US postal workers are bitten every year as well as delivery people, meter readers and others who come into contact with strange dogs on a daily basis. The CDC also points out that adult, un-neutered male dogs are most likely to show aggression.

If you are having problems with aggression in your dog talk to your veterinarian as soon as possible. A good vet will be able to recommend trainers and books that will help you out.

To learn ways to prevent dog bites see the American Veterinary Medical Association brochure at http://www.avma.org/animal_health/brochures/dog_bite/dog_bite_brochure.asp

Sources:
University of Pennsylvania. "If You're Aggressive, Your Dog Will Be Too, Says Veterinary Study." ScienceDaily 18 February 2009. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090217141540.htm

Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Dog-Bites/