So You Adopted a Shelter Dog, Now What?
Meet Pancake. An extremely lovable pitty that stole our hearts on her first day/drew blood during our first interaction (don’t worry no one was seriously hurt). As a dog trainer that has worked with many aggressive pups, I knew that this was due to insecurity. Most people would probably turn their backs on Pancake after this interaction but, I saw a dog in need of my help. Pancake had just arrived to my home for her 21-Day Board + Train appointment. As I suspected, the next day Pancake was a completely different dog. She was open to all my affection and love. In my experience with aggressive dogs, this Jekyll + Hyde routine is a common trend. For some dogs, their aggression stems from fear and insecurity in general rather than a specific trigger and for others it’s a combination of both. Pancake was exhibiting aggression towards humans especially when on the leash.
Why is My Dog Aggressive?
I often find that owners who adopt shelter dogs try and rationalize exactly why their adopted pet is aggressive. Maybe the last owner abused it, or maybe a kid hit it with a stick when it was a puppy. While all these scenarios are possible, for shelter dogs with no origin story, we simply don’t know.
While we can’t look into a magic mirror and ask about Pancake’s past, we do have tools to help guide her forward. I want people to realize that dogs can’t turn off that aggression like a light switch. Similarly to humans that have experienced trauma in their past, there is no delete button. We heal from our past but deep inside, we still have certain things that remind us of that past. This brings up a controversial question, the flip side to this coin is, “Are certain dog breeds more aggressive than others?”
Are Certain Dog Breeds More Aggressive Than Others?
The ASPCA, (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) put out a statement addressing breed bans specifically for Pit-Bulls.
“While a dog’s genetics may predispose it to behave in certain ways, genetics do not exist in a vacuum. Rather, behavior develops through a complex interaction between environment and genetics. This is an especially important consideration when we look at an individual dog versus a breed.” -ASPCA, Position Statement on Pit Bulls
Any Dog Breed Can Become Aggressive
The entire statement is worth a read if you are interested in genetics and behavior and the complexity of the two when it comes to dog breeding. The ASPCA also points out that Pit Bulls were specifically bred for biting and fighting but present-day Pit Bulls are not being bred as selectively as they once were. This makes relying on genetic predispositions a wildcard. What’s more important is early socialization and proper training for your pup. Again, the statement reads:
“The reality is that dogs of many breeds can be selectively bred or trained to develop aggressive traits. Therefore the responsible ownership of any dog requires a commitment to proper socialization, humane training and conscientious supervision.”
Adopting a Shelter Puppy
Let’s get back to Pancake’s story. You could say Pancake was your classic shelter dog. Not only was Kirsten misinformed about what size Pancake actually would grow to be, but Kirsten also learned the hard way that Pancake was aggressive towards humans. After Pancake was kicked out of daycare for knocking over a staff member, Kirsten became worried about Pancake’s future. She wanted Pancake to work with a male dog trainer after she noticed she was becoming increasingly aggressive towards males and she believed in Good Dogz KC’s training philosophy.
Understanding Dog Aggression
After working with numerous aggressive doggos and their owners, it seems like people believe that dogs have the ability to stop being aggressive of their own will, as if they have a choice. People need to understand why a dog might be acting aggressive in the first place. Usually a dog becomes aggressive when the space in their comfort zone has been infringed upon. This can be their home, their backyard or their human. The dog then has to turn towards aggression as a way out of the discomfort. Once a dog uses aggression to solve a problem, such as their space being infringed upon, it becomes very powerful in their mind because now they understand that they have the ability to change their situation by showing that aggression in the future.
Aggression becomes a self-rewarding event.
When the dog feels uncomfortable they learn that they can reward themselves with space by becoming aggressive.
My Dog Should Know Better
Another problem owners face is they believe their dog is similar to a human or a child. They believe the dog can be reasoned with or asked not to be aggressive. Or that this act of aggression was completely isolated and the dog won’t act this way again. The problem with this ideology is the dog has already decided that it’s beneficial for them to be aggressive. We have to show the dog that being aggressive doesn’t create space. Owners create space for their dogs through advocacy.
Be Your Dog’s Best Advocate
By showing your dog that you are in charge and that they can trust you, their trust in you will create less ambiguity for them when you’re out and about. They no longer feel like it’s up to them to defend themselves or to defend you. Another way to advocate for your pup is by not putting them in situations that are known for amping your dog up negatively. For Pancake, I was able to pay close attention to what situations pushed her past her threshold of comfort. When I returned her back to her owner, I then taught Kirsten all about the signs she needed to look for specifically in Pancake. This gave her the confidence to be out in the world but still be aware of situations that make Pancake aggressive. Dog Training is about patterns. If the pattern is to go outside, meet a stranger, become reactive to create space, and then space is created, then the pattern becomes reinforced. Similarly, through patterns, we can proactively get ahead of your dog’s aggression in times of high stress and teach your dog to focus on you.
Ways To Help With Dog Aggression
Be aware of your dog’s, body language. If you see their body change and turn to an aggressive posture then you’ve already gone too far past their comfort threshold. You should build awareness of your dog’s aggression and you should actively get ahead of it by looking for the early signs of aggression. Dogs typically warn you before they bite. Early signs of aggression include becoming very still and rigid with their focus locked in on their target, ears pinned back, showing teeth, lunging forward, or snarling. If your dog is showing any of these warning signs, you need to remove them from the situation they’re in quickly. This means, leaving the dog park or cafe or wherever you are that has made your dog feel threatened.
Be your dog’s best advocate. If you know what sets your dog in an aggressive state, then be there for them. Don’t allow people to pet your dog when you know they don’t like strangers. If someone tries to pet your dog, speak up and say “No, you cannot pet my dog”. Don’t take them to the dog park if they are constantly fighting with other dogs. You wouldn’t force an introverted friend to a party against their will, don’t force your dog into situations that you know will trigger aggression.
Be proactive. Don’t allow your dog to become reactive by training them to refocus on you in times of high stress. This happens through time spent playing, training and overall bonding.
Life As An Aggressive Dog
While you might be thinking, “Is life with an aggressive dog just a never-ending cycle of me avoiding triggering situations and correcting my dog’s aggressive behaviors?” or “Will it ever get better?” It’s a little bit of both. Similarly to Pancake’s story, her life as an aggressive dog looks different than other dogs. While she might not be like other dogs that can receive affection from any random stranger that puts their hand in her face, she will still have a good doggie life with her owner and close friends/family that’s structured and supervised. Pancake is one of the most affectionate dogs I’ve worked with, to date. In many cases, we did not work for food/treats, or toys, her biggest reward was always affection and love. She taught me so much about the nuances of a dog that’s selectively aggressive towards humans while simultaneously hungry for affection from humans she deems safe. This brings me to my final point about dog aggression. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, know that your dog will show you just how nuanced aggression can be.
Trust Your Instincts
Trust your instincts and advocate for your dog unapologetically, even when a stranger seems offended that you’ve declined their request to pet your dog. Be patient and know that this is a journey. As dog owners, we have to learn to set aside any preconceived expectations that we might have had for our dog like taking them to the dog park every Friday or sending them to doggy daycare so they can play. You might have a dog that doesn’t like either of these and that’s okay! There are plenty of other ways we can create engagement and play for your dog in safe and structured ways.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to help your aggressive dog become confident and secure, click here to get started, today!