What is Aggression?

The last thing I want this blog to be is a training manual, I want this blog to help others with aggressive/reactive dogs but by no means am I qualified in canine behaviour. However, I have always thought that the best way to learn in life is by experience. To learn from your mistakes. And trust me when I say this, I have made many. But lets not go down that route....at least not yet anyway.

 

So the word Aggression. The definition of aggression in the British and World English Oxford dictionary is 'Feelings of anger or antipathy resulting in hostile or violent behaviour; readiness to attack or confront'. Seems simple enough, but in the dog world, some people see aggression as barking at another dog, lunging at another dog or snarling at another dog. So really its not clear cut, never has been and never will be. I describe Ben as aggressive because he has caused injury to other dogs, but sometimes he is just reactive, sometimes he is just like any other dog. I guess in some ways, this does make it harder for me because he can be unpredictable, a lot of it depends on the other dog with him. I am now very good at reading his body language and feel this is key to manage and help any dog who has issues with other dogs.

 

I post on a few Facebook groups about Ben, and I remember someone said, don't describe your dog as aggressive, describe him as reactive. So now I just use both of these words! Or say, he can be aggressive but it depends on the situation and the other dog.

 

I guess I wanted to write this post to clarify that Ben doesn't go around attacking dogs left, right and centre. And if he was that aggressive then I probably wouldn't have the confidence to write this blog. Ben requires management to ensure other dogs are safe, to ensure he is relaxed and to ensure I stay sane.

 

Stay tuned for the beginning of his story....