Ottawa Humane Society 245 West Hunt Club Road Tel: 613-725-3166

Richard was confused. His dog had never HOW SHOULD I HANDLE A ARE SOME BREEDS MORE refused a simple command before. But now DOMINANT DOG? AGGRESSIVE THAN OTHERS? Bear crouched on Richard’s favourite chair, baring his teeth, refusing to get down. Follow the same guidelines outlined above. Some breeds are frequently cited as being naturally Additionally: aggressive. While it is true that some breeds The veterinarian suggested that Bear might be naturally exhibit more guarding, protective or showing signs of dominance aggression. With • Sign up for an obedience course — it can help reactive behaviour, aggressive tendencies vary the help of an animal behaviour specialist, your dog to see you as the dominant member of DEALING WITH from dog to dog, even within breed. Whether a Richard started a program of behaviour the pack. dog readily engages in aggressive behaviour is modification for Bear. AGGRESSION • Don’t play tug of war or any other game that influenced by several factors, both genetic (for Now, Richard reads in his favourite chair, your dog may see as a contest. example, breed, gender, age) and environmental while Bear lies happily at his feet. • Don’t allow your dog up on your furniture or (for example, how the dog is trained and treated). IN DOGS bed, unless invited and unless you have the The Ottawa Humane Society believes that with Aggressive behaviour in your dog can be dominance issue under control. If necessary, responsible breeding, rearing and training of dogs, disturbing, but, with the help of block access with crates or closed doors. the incidence of aggressive behaviour in dogs can professionals, it can often be managed. • Don’t feed your dog from the table or be greatly reduced. Your dog is your responsibility. allow begging. Take proper precautions to • Don’t physically confront your dog. If your dog protect others from your dog’s is behaving aggressively, back off, using a calm, aggressive behaviour. happy tone of voice. • Reward appropriate behaviour. Don’t ignore the problem — aggressive • Make the dog sit before feeding her or allowing behaviour won’t just go away. her outdoors.

Programs and services provided by the WHAT IF, DESPITE ALL EFFORTS, Ottawa Humane Society are made possible I HAVE MORE THAN ONE DOG I CAN’T RESOLVE THE PROBLEM? thanks to your financial support. AND THEY FIGHT WITH EACH Please support the animals in our community. Giving up an animal is never easy for the owner or OTHER. WHAT SHOULD I DO? the pet. If, after consulting with your veterinarian Dogs have a complex, hierarchical social structure. and working with an animal behaviour specialist, Try to avoid interfering in your dogs’ social you feel your dog will continue to be a threat to interactions while maintaining your position at the people or animals, contact the Ottawa Humane top of the hierarchy. Of course, if one animal is Society’s temperament assessor (613-725-3166, harming another, you must get involved. If your ext. 245), or talk to your veterinarian about other dogs’ pack behaviour has escalated into aggression, options, including euthanasia. If you try to find Tel: 613-725-3166 seek the help of an animal behaviour specialist. your pet a new home, you must be honest with email: [email protected] When your dogs fight, break it up by squirting any potential new owners about the problems that Charitable #: 123264715 RR0001 them with water or making a loud noise. Never try led you to this decision. 2011/05 to physically separate two dogs. Ottawa Humane Society 245 West Hunt Club Road Tel: 613-725-3166 www.ottawahumane.ca

WHAT IS CONSIDERED • Redirected aggression: When dogs are provoked WHAT SORT OF PRECAUTIONS SHOULD I PUNISH MY DOG FOR AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR and are unable to respond to the right target, SHOULD I TAKE? AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR? they may redirect their aggression elsewhere. IN A DOG? For instance, two family dogs, watching from a Your dog is your responsibility, and you are liable No! Rather than helping, punishment may make Any behaviour meant to intimidate or harm a window, may become excited by another dog for his or her behaviour. If you know your dog is things worse. Punishing an aggressive, fearful dog person or another animal is aggressive behaviour. crossing their yard, and turn to attack each other. inclined toward aggression, either toward people leads to more fear and possibly more aggression. Aggressive behaviour can include, but is in no or other animals: A dominant, aggressive dog may view punishment as a challenge. To a dog reacting defensively, way limited to, biting, snapping, growling or • Avoid situations likely to lead to aggression. punishment will seem a further threat. Consult a baring of teeth. If your dog behaves possessively toward toys or reputable animal behaviour specialist to learn how While a dog may behave aggressively other objects, deny access to the object. If your to best deal with your dog’s aggressive behaviour. for no apparent reason, from the dog’s dog is territorial in certain locations, avoid WHY IS MY DOG BEHAVING perspective, there is always a reason. them if they are outdoors, or block access AGGRESSIVELY? indoors through the use of child gates or closed doors. WHERE CAN I FIND A REPUTABLE Dogs display aggressive behaviour for several • Supervise your dog when ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SPECIALIST? reasons, and from the dog’s perspective, there is MY DOG HAS BEEN BEHAVING AGGRESSIVELY. other animals or children always a specific reason. While you may consider are present. Confine Consult your veterinarian or other dog a pat on the head friendly, a dog may interpret the WHAT SHOULD your dog to a separate professionals to find action as threatening. The dog’s perception of the IDO? room or area if the best person to situation determines his reaction. While unac- necessary. work with you and ceptable, aggressive behaviour is one of the few Don’t try to correct the your dog. • Outdoors, use a muzzle communication tools available to a dog. Dogs situation by yourself. to help control your may display aggressive behaviour because of: Learn about the problem first. dog and prevent others • Dominance issues: Dogs are social animals and from being bitten. view their human families as their packs. Working with aggressive When dogs perceive a challenge to their status, dogs can be potentially aggressive behaviour may result. Dogs may dangerous, and you and your dog would benefit MY DOG REFUSES TO OBEY from the help of an animal behaviour professional. behave aggressively toward any person or dog Don’t try to solve the problem by WELL-KNOWN COMMANDS The first step should be a trip to your veterinarian believed to be lower in the pack. yourself. When dealing with aggressive to rule out a medical cause for the behaviour. If AND RESISTS MY HANDLING. • Fear: Aggression can be a defensive reaction behaviour in a dog, consult a qualified IS THAT A PROBLEM? when dogs believe they are at risk of being there is no medical cause, then: animal behaviour professional. harmed. • Consult a qualified animal behaviour profes- Your dog may be exhibiting dominance behaviour. • Territorial, protective and possessive concerns: sional. Aggressive behaviour will not go away Most dogs assume a submissive role in their Dogs sometimes react aggressively to a on its own. WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN? human family pack, but some dogs will challenge perceived threat to their territory, pack or • Have your dog spayed or neutered. Dominance, Because of children’s smaller size, dogs some- their owners. While growling and baring teeth are possessions. Dogs are territorial and may view territorial and protective aggressive behaviours times see them as playmates or lower members of clearly aggressive, dominance problems may their territory as extending well beyond the are all much more common in dogs who have the pack. Never leave children alone with any dog begin with less obvious signs such as defending borders of their yards, often considering the not been spayed or neutered. without adult supervision. No child, no matter how food or toys from family members, resisting entire loop of their daily walk to be theirs. • Take appropriate precautions. old or experienced with dogs, should be left alone previously known commands or refusing to get with a dog who has displayed signs of aggression. down from furniture.