Aggressiveness by dominance

The aggressive conduct that a dog may present towards its most affective inner circle (the family), we must presume that the most frequent cause for this furious unchaining of events are due to the high leveled character of the breed you chose. But, overall, we must consider the inadequate relation the family has established with the dogs since its arrival to the house.

It is essential that we have present that the dogs don't have the same concept of family as humans do. For hum, the family is the pack in which we must find his hierarchic position. This will vary depending on the attitude or the conduct from the different members of the group towards the animal. For that it is important above all and from each member of the family there exists a same line of action towards the dog.

The position the dog establishes for himself on the hierarchic pyramid will be conditioned by the daily attitude of the family towards him.

The hierarchic structure is usually planned in the wild (pack of wolfs) as follows:

Dominant adult male
Subordinated adult males
Subordinated young males
Subordinated adult females
Subordinated young females
Litter

By his part in a human environment and considering the variables of the place which the dog occupies this would be the hierarchic scale in the family.

Adult male : father
Young male : son
Adult female : mother
Young female : daughter
Puppy : baby

In the same way that inside the family is of vital importance that the dominant element (father) maintains only one way of acting with the inferior element (son). Regarding the attitudes that all the family must show towards the dog that have to be of a unified criteria. If not done this way the dog might interpret it as an example of weakness all those different ways of conduct the family manifests towards him and that they never should be understood like that by the dog. Show yourself with the puppy since his arrival, inflexible with respect to his non accepted habits which it has nothing to do with showing your affection for him.

However, during its first months in which we will pass through certain level of receptivity that he won't reach in the rest of his life; this is the stage in which you must make clear to the dog which things is the family going to tolerate and which not. If we can think that the dog is an animal of habits this will serve to channel in the right way since little, on the other hand due to the negatives we will inevitably manifest before loosing a privilege that he thought was acquired. If the family persists in its attitude until getting the desired objective the relation of dominance from the group will be accentuated towards the dog, and in consequence the dogs submission will increase towards the family. This is fundamental.

As in all aspects of life, the ideal is to maintain a middle term. In the same way that a considerable compliance can carry an excessive, in a short and medium term, problems from the lack of dominance towards the dog. If there is an excess, you can cause not only an accusing dependence from the animal towards his family group, but because of that excessive dominance(extreme dependence relation from an exemplar subdued with respect to the domineering) the dog may end up having an evolution curve of thin character in comparison with other exemplars of similar characteristics. This can generate a permanent fear in the dog that it won't dare to do anything for being afraid of being reprehended which in its turn, will condition his future development. At most this tendency could derive towards an aggressive conduct of self defense.

Dog Behaviorist Choosing a Male or Female Dog Campbell's Test Qualifications The adoption process Dog Adoption Socializing your Dog Dog and Family The acquisition of an adult dog Adult dogs for adoption Breed classification Needs of exercise Need for affection Tolerance to children Tolerance to other dogs Dominant character Territorial character Activity Level Obedience education Dog psychology Association power Conditioning Reflex Family environment Dog's Views Dog's Education Positive conditioning Negative conditioning Training and education Training Program for your Dog Dog Fear How to Overcome Dog Fear Attenuating conditions Dog Aggressiveness Aggressiveness by depredation Aggressiveness by dominance Territorial aggressiveness Self-defense aggressiveness When your dog attacks in self defense Injuries in dog attacks Second case of Injuries in dog attacks Sensibility suppression Dog sensibility issues Territorial Factors Expression canals Complete body language Your Dog's Diet Phobia or fear to the collar or leash Collar and Leash usage Dog understanding Other Strategies Jealousy with Dogs Non traumatic introduction Correct location of the child in the family hierarchy Progressive raise of rank of the child Vehicles: excitement or fear Exercises with your Dog Dogs Fear of Cars Starting your dog with real experiences Not mixing new experiences with meals Vehicles and dogs Dog Hyperactivity Frequent Dog Owner Mistakes Excessive barking Indoor dog rules Controlling your barking dog Anxiety pattern Lack of confidence Socializing with the outside world Excessive dominance Lack of dominance in dogs At home Excessive biting To personal objects, furniture, etc Space the dog is allowed to have Aggressions to other dogs Self-defense aggressions Bossy aggressions Aggressions between two dogs from the same home Aggressions to strangers due to territory Backing out from a dog attack Aggressions to family members First time aggressions Not enough exercise in relation to age and breed Scarce contact with other dogs Punishment to a late response Emphasizing conditions and appeasing to evasive behavior Lack of control over feeding and going out schedules Lack of self-confidence Lack of attention from the owners Marking their territory Coprophagy Ingestion of its own feces Agoraphobia Dog Depression How to prevent depression Psychological pregnancy Pulling the leash excessively Corrective methodology Ingestion of strange substances Destruction of gardens Bathing struggles Practical Guide to Canine Behavior Site Map