Aggressive Behaviour
Could Boredom and Frustration be
Causing This?
by Friends of the Dog
Could Boredom and Frustration be
Causing This?
by Friends of the Dog
In the event that your dog does suddenly exhibit aggressive behaviour where there was none below, your first step is a visit to the vet. If there is a physical component to the behaviour, then little or nothing done from the behavioural point of view, or additional mental or physical stimulation will assist. Other reasons that aggressive behaviour often occurs is due to changes in the current pack hierarchy, such as one dog becoming an adolescent and trying to determine it's place in the canine hierarchy, or an older dog becoming a senior, and either struggling with health issues, or once again, a younger dog challenging for position.
Remember, that dogs do not show pain unless they really have to, as based on their ancestry, this would render them weak looking in the pack. We are with our dogs 24/7 (especially at the moment with shutdown!) so before you take your dog to the vet, you can do a few things to determine if there may be pain or discomfort in the body. Some suggestions:
If no physical components then your dog could simply be bored and/or frustrated, especially due to our recent shut-down, when daily walks are simply not an option, in SA at this time, at least.
There has been a definite increase in aggressive behaviour based on reports we are receiving where aggression is concerned which seemed to have occurred a lot more during shutdown, and other behaviourists have also seen the same trend. The most common behaviours appear to be resource guarding between dogs and sudden aggression towards other animals in the home. This will not go away overnight now that life is more open. Here are some suggestions with
What you can do where the resource guarding is concerned, is to remove any item or toy that may be causing the resource guarding, and do not have this object around when the dogs are together. If it is a toy or chew toy, then still give to the dogs, but give it to them separately - simply management can eliminate this problem. Before the dogs are brought together again, the items are taken away.
If food bowls, then feed in two totally separate areas with a closed door between the dogs. Allow the dogs to finish their food in peace, then take the bowls away completely.
Where the actual aggression is concerned, we suggest that you get hold of a qualified canine behaviourist, and Kathy Clayton, certified by the ABC of SA and SABCAP, is one of the behaviourists we know that are offering email and skype sessions during shut-down. Aggression should always be tackled by a professional, as it can increase in both intensity and frequency very quickly. We have put details of Kathy's contact information below, as well as the website for the ABC of SA, as other behaviourists may be offering the same service.
Frustration and boredom is as real for our dogs as it is for us humans, and they do not have the ability to be able to text a friend, watch TV, or read a book, so the onus really is on us to do all we can to supply the additional physical and mental stimulation that they need. Here is a link to an article we have supplied for you with ideas to keep our dogs busy during shut-down, and these ideas can be used at any time. The most important aspect, is the second the shut-down is lifted to allow walks, is to get your dogs out for a walk as soon as possible. If you are in an area where walking is allowed, then even a 15 minute, lovely scenting walk can make an amazing difference to the behaviour being exhibited.
Dogs have an innate need to scent. There scenting abilities are in the region of 25 to 45 times stronger than our own, and just walking along, smelling the scent of other dogs can supply amazing stimulation. There was research done about 15 years ago in Austria, where 40 dogs with serious behaviour problems were given the opportunity of scenting daily. In some dogs this involved daily, or twice daily walks, in others, scent trails and other manners of scenting were brought in. The end result after 21 days (it takes a minimum of 21 days to change a habit), was that there was a 60% reduction in the behaviour problems being exhibited, with no modifications being brought in. Unfortunately, when our computer bombed a few years ago, we lost the link to this article.
The importance of the walks, is that they are slow, and the dog is allowed to sniff and smell all he likes - this is not a walk for the dog's person, it is a walk for the dog - with our own clients, over the last 20 years, we have seen what an impact daily scenting walks can make in reducing behaviour concerns.
Kathy Clayton - -011 783 3042 082 454 1750 or [email protected]
www.kcdogschool.com
ABC of SA - www.animal-behaviour.org.za
Remember, that dogs do not show pain unless they really have to, as based on their ancestry, this would render them weak looking in the pack. We are with our dogs 24/7 (especially at the moment with shutdown!) so before you take your dog to the vet, you can do a few things to determine if there may be pain or discomfort in the body. Some suggestions:
- See if the elimination routines are the same, or if they have decreased or increased.
- Does the stool look, and even smell the same?
- Is your dog urinating more than usual and can you tell if the colour or smell or the urine has changed?
- What about movement? If your dog slower to get up than usual - battling a bit on steps etc?
- If your dog is normally very active, have the activity levels changed at all?
- When you dog is quiet, gently and slowly run your hand over the whole body and see if the dog reacts in any way to an area you may be touching. Signs that could be seen is the dog moving away, suddenly sitting down, turning its head towards you with a look of concern, licking its lips, and often putting its ear back. Some dogs may turn and lick you where you are stroking, or attempt to move your hand away. These are all signs that the dog is uncomfortable.
- While doing your touching all over, look in the mouth for signs of tooth decay or gum problems - examine each paw underneath and also see if the nails may be too long and causing discomfort.
If no physical components then your dog could simply be bored and/or frustrated, especially due to our recent shut-down, when daily walks are simply not an option, in SA at this time, at least.
There has been a definite increase in aggressive behaviour based on reports we are receiving where aggression is concerned which seemed to have occurred a lot more during shutdown, and other behaviourists have also seen the same trend. The most common behaviours appear to be resource guarding between dogs and sudden aggression towards other animals in the home. This will not go away overnight now that life is more open. Here are some suggestions with
What you can do where the resource guarding is concerned, is to remove any item or toy that may be causing the resource guarding, and do not have this object around when the dogs are together. If it is a toy or chew toy, then still give to the dogs, but give it to them separately - simply management can eliminate this problem. Before the dogs are brought together again, the items are taken away.
If food bowls, then feed in two totally separate areas with a closed door between the dogs. Allow the dogs to finish their food in peace, then take the bowls away completely.
Where the actual aggression is concerned, we suggest that you get hold of a qualified canine behaviourist, and Kathy Clayton, certified by the ABC of SA and SABCAP, is one of the behaviourists we know that are offering email and skype sessions during shut-down. Aggression should always be tackled by a professional, as it can increase in both intensity and frequency very quickly. We have put details of Kathy's contact information below, as well as the website for the ABC of SA, as other behaviourists may be offering the same service.
Frustration and boredom is as real for our dogs as it is for us humans, and they do not have the ability to be able to text a friend, watch TV, or read a book, so the onus really is on us to do all we can to supply the additional physical and mental stimulation that they need. Here is a link to an article we have supplied for you with ideas to keep our dogs busy during shut-down, and these ideas can be used at any time. The most important aspect, is the second the shut-down is lifted to allow walks, is to get your dogs out for a walk as soon as possible. If you are in an area where walking is allowed, then even a 15 minute, lovely scenting walk can make an amazing difference to the behaviour being exhibited.
Dogs have an innate need to scent. There scenting abilities are in the region of 25 to 45 times stronger than our own, and just walking along, smelling the scent of other dogs can supply amazing stimulation. There was research done about 15 years ago in Austria, where 40 dogs with serious behaviour problems were given the opportunity of scenting daily. In some dogs this involved daily, or twice daily walks, in others, scent trails and other manners of scenting were brought in. The end result after 21 days (it takes a minimum of 21 days to change a habit), was that there was a 60% reduction in the behaviour problems being exhibited, with no modifications being brought in. Unfortunately, when our computer bombed a few years ago, we lost the link to this article.
The importance of the walks, is that they are slow, and the dog is allowed to sniff and smell all he likes - this is not a walk for the dog's person, it is a walk for the dog - with our own clients, over the last 20 years, we have seen what an impact daily scenting walks can make in reducing behaviour concerns.
Kathy Clayton - -011 783 3042 082 454 1750 or [email protected]
www.kcdogschool.com
ABC of SA - www.animal-behaviour.org.za
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