What Exactly IS Aggression?

[Winterspring]

As some of you know, I had a trainer come to the house tossing the word "aggression" out like it was confetti at a parade. If Taurus growled at ANYTHING, it was "aggression". Aggression towards her in the beginning. Telling us about aggression towards the cat when he tries to stick his fat head in Taurus's bowl. (She also, ironically, refused to believe that some dogs, especially Filas, can be stubborn.)

So how would you define "aggression"? I don't consider my dog growling at a stranger or barking when someone knocks on the door "aggressive". I consider that a warning. I do not consider my dog taking a snap at someone who's trying to touch him when he's growling as "aggression". I consider that "humans being dumb". I do not consider Taurus growling at Mayhem when Mayhem is trying to stuff his face into Taurus's food dish while he's eating to be aggressive. (Of course, when I was fifteen, I took a stab at my own mother's hand with a fork when she tried to nab something off my plate. So, out of the two of us, I think Taurus is less food-aggressive than I am.) Lunging at someone passing him? That would be aggressive to me. Growling at his family when they're working around him or taking up his bowl? That would be aggression to me. But they growl for a reason, and they bite for a reason. And, unlike what Witchy McDogMeanie said, I don't think it's all based out of fear.

Maybe I'm wrong. But I like to think that my dog isn't a raging, rabid maniac with a thirst for human (or feline) blood. (Mmmmm. Blood.....)

So, especially with Fila owners, what do you consider aggression? Dangerous, yes, I know my dog is dangerous. But so is a car. Each should be treated with respect, and with the knowledge that either could be deadly in the wrong hands.

 

[chuckorlando]

Your dog, if any kinda fila temp, is aggressive. Biting anyone for any reason other than a true threat is aggressive. No matter why they got bitten short of a threat. Even growling at people is aggressive. Yes in a fila, it is what it is supposed to be. But it's aggressive just the same.

 

[CeeCee]

I've seen a number of posts lately where people use the word aggressive to describe their dogs behavior. I often thought we might be using the word "aggression" a little too liberally. Seeing your post prompted me to do a little googling and here's a good article from the ASPCA discussing aggression. I think it does a good job of outlining the complexity and common motivators for aggression and even identifies the most common warning signs.

http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-articles/aggression-in-dogs

 

[Iymala]

Awesome article! Thank you for sharing it.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Well, see, here's the problem. The word "aggression" has negetive conitations. Which I don't always think its due. To society "aggression" is "BAD!!!!!" and god forbid a dog show anything that could be taken that way.

But a dog showing pro-active protective behavior to defend his master's child from a predator is showing aggression. We just don't like to think of it that way cause "aggression" is "BAD!!!!!!!".

IMO, "aggression" is the actual act of attacking someone or something. The reasoning behind the act is immaterial. The attack can be as minor as a "snap" to as major as a full blown mauling.

I do NOT consider a growl to be aggressive (99% of the world doesn't agree with me on this). I consider a growl to be a warning of potential aggression to come if something doesn't change. And you know what? I WANT my dog to growl because I want him to tell me that he's got a problem. I WANT that chance to fix the problem.

Personally when it comes to food and other resource guarding I much prefer the term "resource guarding" over "resource aggression. SOME dogs will take that guarding all the way to aggression, but not all will. Regardless resource guarding DOES need to be modified, for the dog's safety if nothing else. You NEED to be able to take things (food, toys, things he shouldn't have) away from him for his own safety at times.

In a way I agree that any aggression is fear based. I saw a discussion once that part what makes a guardian breed dog is a specifically genetically chosen fight or flight reflex. This doesn't make these dogs fearfull. Properly trained and socialized they're anything BUT fearfull. But when a true threat (in their estimation) is presented "fight" takes precedence over "flight". And they do so with full ability to think and determine. Fear does not rule.


Now having said that. We all have to deal with society and the general public. The general public considers a growl to be a sign that a dog is "BAD!!!!!", that any dog who won't allow strangers to pet him at random to be "BAD!!!!". As such it becomes our responsibility to ensure that we've taken steps to ensure the safety of the general idiot in the crowd. We socialize and train our dogs so that hopefully they'll recognize normal and not get protective. We learn our dogs' temperments so that we know whats going to be to much, and whats going to set him off, so that we can avoid those situations when possible. And we accept that some people are going to see our protective dogs and cry "BAD!!!! AGGRESSION!!!!!" even when in reality none has been presented.

 

[fila4me]

Well, see, here's the problem. The word "aggression" has negetive conitations. Which I don't always think its due. To society "aggression" is "BAD!!!!!" and god forbid a dog show anything that could be taken that way.

But a dog showing pro-active protective behavior to defend his master's child from a predator is showing aggression. We just don't like to think of it that way cause "aggression" is "BAD!!!!!!!".

IMO, "aggression" is the actual act of attacking someone or something. The reasoning behind the act is immaterial. The attack can be as minor as a "snap" to as major as a full blown mauling.

I do NOT consider a growl to be aggressive (99% of the world doesn't agree with me on this). I consider a growl to be a warning of potential aggression to come if something doesn't change. And you know what? I WANT my dog to growl because I want him to tell me that he's got a problem. I WANT that chance to fix the problem.

Personally when it comes to food and other resource guarding I much prefer the term "resource guarding" over "resource aggression. SOME dogs will take that guarding all the way to aggression, but not all will. Regardless resource guarding DOES need to be modified, for the dog's safety if nothing else. You NEED to be able to take things (food, toys, things he shouldn't have) away from him for his own safety at times.

In a way I agree that any aggression is fear based. I saw a discussion once that part what makes a guardian breed dog is a specifically genetically chosen fight or flight reflex. This doesn't make these dogs fearfull. Properly trained and socialized they're anything BUT fearfull. But when a true threat (in their estimation) is presented "fight" takes precedence over "flight". And they do so with full ability to think and determine. Fear does not rule.


Now having said that. We all have to deal with society and the general public. The general public considers a growl to be a sign that a dog is "BAD!!!!!", that any dog who won't allow strangers to pet him at random to be "BAD!!!!". As such it becomes our responsibility to ensure that we've taken steps to ensure the safety of the general idiot in the crowd. We socialize and train our dogs so that hopefully they'll recognize normal and not get protective. We learn our dogs' temperments so that we know whats going to be to much, and whats going to set him off, so that we can avoid those situations when possible. And we accept that some people are going to see our protective dogs and cry "BAD!!!! AGGRESSION!!!!!" even when in reality none has been presented.

I agree 100%!!!!! I do not consider my Filas aggressive,protective with the potential to be dangerous,yes. so, I just make sure I am responsible and do not put them in a position where they feel they need to be dangerous. if they are out in my yard with my kids and someone sticks their hand over or comes in my yard and they get bit,not aggressive but protective over their charges.my little terrier mix, at 22lbs will go after someone not invited in.of course,she thinks she is a Fila!!LOL!!

 

[chuckorlando]

I can agree on the growl. I also agree that aggressive does not mean bad. Like in a Fila, you want aggressive. We can term things how ever we like, but then it's about splitting hairs has we are saying the same thing with diffrent words

 

[ruthcatrin]

We can term things how ever we like, but then it's about splitting hairs has we are saying the same thing with diffrent words

exactly. I DO use the word "aggressive" but I try to pay attention to how I use it, and when possible I try to explain when I don't mean it in a negetive way. I'm sure I've neglected to do that, but I try!

 

[cookiedough39]

Very thin line with this word. The issue comes when the word is used to describe the dog as a whole instead of just the action. It's kind of like when somebody says "you're dumb." Well, all you did was make a dumb decision. Does that 1 dumb decision give a person the right to call you outright dumb? With that said, if you make dumb decisions all the time, well....if the shoe fits! Carma is the sweetest dog in the world (to me), but if you open my door she will turn into Kujo. Is she aggressive? No. but she will act aggressively under the right circumstances. Saying a dog is aggressive kind of puts the dog in a box to me. It's just generalizing some behaviors.

 

[Winterspring]

Man, am I glad I asked this question. It really does make things more clear to me. Yes, my dog is aggressive, but so are executives. I'm aggressive. And he's not aggressive all the time. I suppose it's the difference between "aggressive" and "passive". At the vet, Taurus was a sweetheart. He reacts to certain things, I'm noticing. He doesn't like it when hands are in pockets, he didn't like meeting my friend who owns a New Age shop probably because she smelled like everything and because her body language was so different from ours, but sniffed a perfect stranger with no incident, and once he was put in Daddy's room to calm down after a stranger entered his house, he didn't even pay any mind to the trainer.

Thank you, ruth. I didn't even think that "aggressive" could have a positive or neutral connotation. I don't consider Taurus aggressive, and it's hard to remember that he can become so when he's lying on the floor sprawled out like a dead starfish. We can open his mouth and retrieve things (he stole an entire EGG and hid it in his mouth! Didn't even crack it!), check his teeth, stick pills down his mouth (O Thank You, God of Pill Pockets...), play with his ears, hold his muzzle, stretch the loose skin around his head, and the worst thing that happens is we get a good scrape from his nails or he accidentally drags his teeth over us if we're not careful while playing with his tuggy. But one weird move from a stranger, and he just doesn't think it's kosher.

 

[musicdeb]

I've seen a number of posts lately where people use the word aggressive to describe their dogs behavior. I often thought we might be using the word "aggression" a little too liberally. Seeing your post prompted me to do a little googling and here's a good article from the ASPCA discussing aggression. I think it does a good job of outlining the complexity and common motivators for aggression and even identifies the most common warning signs.

http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-articles/aggression-in-dogs

Great article CeeCee, thanks for sharing!

 

[Winterspring]

I agree, CeeCee. Thank you.

 

[DennasMom]

You people are all awesome!
I agree with everything above, too.

I, too, don't like to use the word aggression, because society has labeled it "BAD".

But, if you really look at it... being aggressive means going OUT to get something... you can be an aggressive job hunter - that's GOOD. But if you're a dog aggressively protecting your family... that's bad???

I guess I label a dog's actions aggressive if they have to pull on the leash or put their paws on the fence to complete the action... they're pushing the boundaries and going "out" to get something and/or take care of something they think needs taken care of.

If a dog is growling, barking and posturing, but not moving away from the human and/or yard... that's an aggressive warning, but the action itself is still contained and not "outward bound" (yet). At least to me, that's protective and not "aggressive"...

From the thesaurus, aggressive can be "hostile, violent, belligerent, forceful, insistent, assertive or determined" with antonyms of peaceful and mild... so probably more encompassing and accurate for a lot of behaviors - if society hadn't labeled it as "bad" already.

You could probably tell your neighbor not to come too close to the fence because your dog is often forceful and belligerent, and he'd be fine... if instead you told him he was aggressive... you'd have a lawsuit pending in a heartbeat. sigh.

Ditto on the ASPCA article. Loads of good info. Thanks CeeCee!

 

[Winterspring]

And it annoys me how if my cat approaches his bowl, it's considered "food aggression", but if he gets thwacked going to another cat's bowl, that's not the same thing.

They also don't attribute the word "aggressive" to non-violent acts. I'm sure you can all appreciate aggressive play, or aggressive bids for attention, like when they suddenly stand on your lap because they want pets NOW. Taurus goes after the cats, but not to hurt them, and not out of a prey drive. He wants to play. He does that posturing and that high-pitched whine/yip (that goes straight through my head...) and tries to pat them, especially our largest. He's persistent, but not mean. (Just annoying. To me and the cats.) Aggressively seeking attention or trying to aggressively (persistently) attempt to shove one's nose in the garbage can is aggression, in that case.

There is quite obviously a difference between "aggressive" and "violent". (I didn't use "dangerous" because all dogs are dangerous, even if they're playing. I've gotten my hand a little too close to his teeth while playing "Tuggy" and felt them pretty keenly, but he wasn't biting. Yet so many would insist that he'd been "aggressive" and had done it on purpose. And if I were a kid? He'd be put down.)

Why is it that little dogs are treated like they're no harm to anyone, and everything other than a Labrador or a Retriever of some kind is considered "dangerous", "aggressive", or a public menace? Why can't I have a Pit Bull? Breed enthusiasts have been working VERY hard to dispel the terrible reputation their breed has. And I know an Akita that lets me lie down on the concrete next to him and nom on his ears and kiss him all over his face. Yet I've almost had my fingers ripped off by a Papillon.

I don't think my dog is aggressive. I think he's "exuberant".

 

[mx5055]

I think we way overuse the word aggressive. I don't consider a dog's behavior aggressive unless there is an intent to "harm"; excluding of course a dog actively protecting it's owner with due cause. If that intent to harm is there then I believe you might have a problem that needs work.