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CANINE CONFLICT-RELATED AGGRESSION
Reproduced with permission from the Purdue University Animal Behavior Clinic
Conflict-related aggression is referred to as dominance aggression by most
behaviorists. Dominance aggression is defined as aggression directed towards household
members in situations where the social position of the dominant dog is threatened.
However, most dogs seen for "dominance aggression" are not dominant or confident dogs.
Instead these dogs often act fearful or submissive. Owners often report that their dog shows
ambivalent body language during and after an attack. These dogs may "slink off" after an attack,
shake or show submissive behaviors or seem "remorseful" to the owner. Most dogs that are aggressive
to household members are not dominant nor do they have confident personalities. Affected dogs may
become aggressive when they are in a conflict situation. Many conflicts occur when a dog is put into
a confrontational situation or when the dog cannot predict what is going to happen due to inconsistencies
in dog-owner interactions. The dog is placed into a motivational conflict in these situations. He may
want to be near the owner but also be unsure and nervous because he cannot predict what is going to
happen. Affected dogs learn to use aggression to get themselves out of any uncomfortable situation.
The aggression is reinforced because the anticipated "bad" event does not occur. For example, a child
approaches a dog, the dog growls and the child retreats. The dog’s aggressive behavior has been
rewarded because the source of the dog’s anxiety has been avoided. Behaviors reinforced in this manner
are very persistent.
Treatment:
Because there are many different types of aggression that can be directed towards the owner a behaviorist
needs to make a specific diagnosis and devise a treatment plan appropriate for the individual case. The
following are techniques often used in the treatment of conflict-related aggression. Treatment should address
the dog's basic disposition (e.g. fearfulness), the way in which the dog is managed, and the cause of conflict
(e.g. inconsistency) in the owner-dog interactions.
1. Avoid Confrontation: The situations in which confrontations are likely to occur should be avoided. Any
confrontation may destroy progress made to that point in treatment. This may imply that the dog needs to be
crate trained and crated or confined in an exercise pen unless being worked with. Crating is indicated when
the owners are afraid of the dog, if small children are involved or if the owner is unable to ignore the dog.
Toys and other assets that can cause confrontations should be removed. The dog is not to be allowed on the
furniture, including the bed, if this has been a source of conflict in the past.
2. Utilize a Gentle Leader Headcollar®: The dog should wear a Gentle Leader Headcollar® with a dragline
attached when the owners are home. A headcollar may allow the owner to control any aggression-inducing
situations in a non-confrontational and consistent manner. Example: The dog has been aggressive when
approached while on his bed, the owner may call the dog, utilize the headcollar and dragline to encourage the
dog to "come", ask the dog to "sit" and the dog may then be rewarded. The confrontation (conflict) is
avoided and an appropriate and acceptable response is rewarded. The headcollar may also be useful for
walking and training the dog. Regular exercise (twice daily) will often help to reduce the excitability of
the dog.
3. Avoid Inconsistent Owner-Dog Interactions: The main reason for conflict resulting from owner-to-dog
interaction is the fact that the dog cannot predict what is going to happen and does not know what to do.
Therefore, owners are instructed to avoid all casual interactions with the dog and interact in a command-
response-reward format. This assures that any interactions with the dog are consistent and predictable.
The owner should give a command, the dog responds and is rewarded for performing the behavior.
4. Structured Obedience Exercises: Non-confrontational obedience training such as clicker training and
utilization of a headcollar will provide an opportunity for predictable owner-dog interaction, desensitize the dog
to owner behavior and allow the owner to substitute appropriate responses for aggression. Obedience training
will also have a long lasting effect on the owner's behavior toward the dog by making it more consistent. The
dog can learn to predict what is going to happen and appropriately respond to an uncomfortable situation. In
other words, the owner will be able to tell the dog what to do before he makes the wrong choice (aggression).
5. Do Not Use Punishment: Punishment is counter-indicated in treating aggression. No punishment of any type should be applied. Choke collars, pinch collars, verbal reprimands or physical punishment are all contraindicated in treating aggression. Punishment is almost always administered inconsistently and increases anxiety and fear.
6. Apply Behavior Modification for Specific Situations: Specific situations in which the dog shows aggression may be addressed by gradually exposing the dog to the threatening or conflict situation (e.g. the owner "standing over" the dog or the owner touching specific areas on the dog) and rewarding the dog for relaxation. A previously threatening situation can be associated with a pleasant event (giving the dog attention and petting only when the owner touches a previously sensitive body part). An appropriate behavior can be substituted for a previously inappropriate behavior (teach the dog to "shake hands" to have his feet handled and reward for the appropriate behavior).
The concept of Conflict-Related Aggression has profound implications. It challenges us to interpret the social relationship between dogs and owners in a more sophisticated way than as a dominance-submissiveness relationship. It points out the inappropriateness of domination techniques so often applied to puppies and adult dogs. It explains why any form of punishment for these cases of aggression is counterproductive.
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