DIFFERENTIATING AGGRESSION IN DOGS
Of all of the aggression cases that come my way, I have yet to work with a dog that is truly aggressive, or showing signs of rage aggression. In most cases, the dogs are displaying an intimidating front to deter something or someone that they are fearful of OR they lack proper structure and boundaries and are trying to claim items or space and guard those things because they simply don’t know any better.
Fear aggression is trained in a different manner than rage aggression (and in most cases rage aggression is due to genetics and likely can only be managed). Resource guarding, which is aggression towards owners or strangers for guarding a person, item or space is trained in a different manner than fear aggression would be. If you want to address the behavior of your dog, understanding what type of aggression they are displaying will be extremely beneficial in finding a method that works for you.
Differentiating between rage aggression and fearful aggression in dogs can be challenging but crucial for understanding their behavior and applying appropriate training or behavior modification techniques. Here are some key differences to help you distinguish between the two:
1. Body language and posture:
- Rage aggression: Dogs displaying rage aggression often exhibit a stiff body posture, with their ears forward or erect, and their tail held high or wagging rapidly. They may have a direct, intense stare, bared teeth, and a raised hackle (hair along the back).
- Fearful aggression: Dogs displaying fearful aggression typically have a crouched or lowered body posture, with their ears back or flattened against their head. Their tail may be tucked between their legs or held low. They may avoid eye contact, show teeth as a defensive signal, or display a raised hackle as a fear response.
2. Triggers and context:
- Rage aggression: Dogs with rage aggression may exhibit sudden, unpredictable outbursts of aggression, often in response to specific triggers such as handling, resource guarding, or territoriality. The aggression is typically intense and disproportionate to the situation.
- Fearful aggression: Dogs displaying fearful aggression are more likely to show aggression when they feel threatened, overwhelmed, or trapped. They may perceive a wide range of situations or stimuli as threatening, such as unfamiliar people, other dogs, or specific environments.
3. Aggressive behaviors:
- Rage aggression: Dogs with rage aggression may engage in offensive behaviors like biting, growling, lunging, or snapping without warning. Their aggression is often impulsive and lacks clear warning signs.
- Fearful aggression: Dogs displaying fearful aggression may exhibit defensive behaviors such as growling, snapping, or biting as a last resort to distance themselves from perceived threats. They may show warning signs like freezing, cowering, or trying to retreat before resorting to aggression.
4. Response to approach or retreat:
- Rage aggression: Dogs displaying rage aggression may continue their aggressive behavior even if the perceived threat retreats or removes themselves from the situation.
- Fearful aggression: Dogs displaying fearful aggression may stop their aggressive behavior or retreat when the perceived threat moves away or leaves.
It's important to note that aggression in dogs can have complex underlying causes, and a professional assessment by a certified dog behaviorist or trainer is highly recommended in cases of aggression. They can provide an accurate diagnosis and develop a customized behavior modification plan to address the specific type of aggression your dog may exhibit.
