I dont know the answer but has anyone got an opinion as to where aggression comes from. Is it learned by the dog or is it in their genes or is it a combination of both ?

Hi... the only real instance I can comment on is that of smaller dogs and their owners (some, I hasten to add, not all). Smaller dogs owners tend to pick the dogs up at the first sign of another dog approaching, therefore enforcing the smaller dogs size and making things ten times worse. This seems to be a good reason for so many smaller dogs having real dog-aggression problems...

This leads to leaned behaviour, as (IMO) the owner is condoning all the protesting and growling of the smaller dog, by picking him up and talking in soothing tones (even just to say what a bad boy the dog is!)

Chloe :)

Edited to say - larger dogs can also be subject to this treatment - owner hanging onto lead while larger dog growls and shows aggression. Some people like having aggressive dogs I guess (even though they would never admit it)

Hi Chloe/Bec/Banger
I thankfully don't have any aggro problems from my dog with humans and have a lot of info on his genetic background [parents/grandparents etc all good tempered dogs]. However, I am worrying about my chap learning aggressive behaviour from other DOGS in combination with hormonal influences [e.g recent post on Dalmation picking fights]. He is medium-ish size, being a corgi, but a very "strong" dog who doesn't take cr*p if challenged by a dog. So while we did everything to socialise him from puppyhood, and he was a very friendly pup I now get quite nervous if we meet an entire male as there is almost always a growling session followed by wolf teeth and probably a scrap if we did not get them apart - growls are mostly initiated by the other dog but recently not always the case.
I often find myself in 2 scenarios -
1. other dog growls, mine reacts, wolf teeth come out. I get my dog away and firmly tell him off but other dog owner blames my dog anyway and walks off swearing at me. OR
2. no one knows who growled first, but both dogs get told off

Agree that mollycoddling is not appropriate but what do you think is the best way to stop learned aggression [in partic. between entire males]. People often say "let the dogs sort it out" but not really sure what that means ...

regards
c x

Hi Cissy

I have a biiiiig Great dane, who usually provokes a LOT of agression from smaller dogs who are feeling a tad threatened. Generally, I avoid them making eye contact by turning Will's head away...and that usually defuses the situation. Remember, that your reaction will pass down the lead, so a quick move of his head toward you and a brisk walk forward past will usually do the trick...

I'm no expert - but I have found this works - and I always put Will on the lead when approaching other dogs. If a dog then runs up, again, I just walk on calling him briskly (but, its a brave dog that does come up!) :)

HTH a bit
Chloe

thanks Chloe - I think this will come in handy with the Dalmation and other dogs we don't know who look a bit iffy. If Lascaux met Willis I think he would definitely fall into the brave category even though he would only come up to his knees lol - he seems to prefer romping with giant dogs!

c

Strange that Chloe, I find the minute I put my GSD on the lead he becomes a menace, I just keep him next to me without a lead and he remains relaxed and will pass without problems.
Another thing I have found is as my attitude has become more relaxed when I see other dogs, he doesn't react either.
I'm sure it's the fact that we as owners tense up anticipating trouble, that starts the dogs off.

Ingrid

I think its a case of *having* to put Will on the lead - purely because people pale at the sight of him and are worried he will squash their dogs (he wouldn't - he's very gentle). But i do agree - far better to have a dog that will walk past leadless... I am working on it, but around here they have high expectations for well behaved dogs, so I can't risk him being off the lead past dogs until he's 100% - catch 22 situation.

I think it is a combination of both. A dog shows 'aggression' to which the owner reacts and thereby the circle starts with the owner starting to anticipate a reaction the dog picking up on the anticipation etc. However, although most dogs will defend themselves (which I don't see as aggression) some breeds and some lines within breeds have a greater tendancy to aggressive behaviour.
Bec

Hi Banger

As far as I know aggression can be inherited and/or learned.

If inherited you are likely to see it in either (or both) of its parents. The dog with inherited aggression is also likely to show aggression in a multitude of ways eg territorial around its home, towards approaching dogs on walks, over its toys, its food even towards its owner. Inherited aggression can be displayed in both dominant or submissive dogs. The dominant dog with aggressive traits will resort to aggression if you challenge its position - a nervous dog with aggressive traits could resort to aggression out of fear if it feels threatened. If the aggression is learned its usually displayed in only one or two situations and is often the result of a bad experience. The dog forms an association to the thing that scared it and it acts aggressively in similar circumstances. Sometimes it is the result of an inexperienced owner reinforcing the wrong behaviour.

Hope this helps

My guess in your case is that it is learned. I have always believed from your many posts that you are nervous of him and this is the result of what goes down the lead to him.

John

hi banger....i can you tell genetic predisposition is the most powerful factor in aggression..animals can have a predisposition towards a particular behavior .ei.prediliction for cats...this can be made better or worse through enviroment but its still inate....all.dogs are born with certain inate behaviors but the brain has plasticity or ability to adapt and change,,,,,,,,,best case senario get a dog whose parents are'' correct in the mind ''....and raise and train them properly

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Hi,

I agree with "dog behaviour", aggression can be both learned and genetic, the same as fear can be. Dogs can learn aggression by being attacked and having to defend themselves, little dogs often learn aggression snappy behaviour by being constantly picked up and elevated by their owners (as someone else said), they can learn from being chased by another dog (sometimes in play) and then becoming nervous when another dogs runs up and their natural instinct could be to attack first and find out later and dogs can also learn aggression from their owners trying to chase away loose dogs.

Aggression and fear are funny things and not always easy to deal with, but the best thing you can do is NEVER breed from an aggressive or nervous dog and hope for the best!!! :D

manda
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