Misplaced Aggression

This portrays a dog who because of poor or defective TRAINING and lack of SOCIALISATION vents his anxiety towards other dogs and people.

The dog being a hunter is highly intelligent and is equipped with excellent capabilities essential for its survival; superior sense of smell, hearing, speed, smartness and manoeuvrability. In its natural state the dog is intended to be fierce, aggressive and protective.

Dogs instinctively use aggressive behaviour and physical strength to dominate. Many dogs will channel this behaviour towards their owners, other people and dogs who are weak in their raising, handling and training. Domesticated dogs need to be both socialised and educated (trained) to prevent the development of inappropriate behaviour!

The dog must be taught by its human mentor and pack leader to evaluate situations and learn to make reasonable and intelligent decisions. Owning a truly well trained dog is like having your own personal guardian. This is a dog which combines his natural abilities with appropriate behaviour towards family members, strangers and other dogs.

Dogs MUST be properly socialised if they are to avoid fighting. We must ensure that dog aggression NEVER happens! A dog that is allowed to reach this emotional state will feel a strong instinctual urge to seek closure and hence development of misplaced aggression!

Misplaced aggression has disastrous consequences: for the dog, who in this state is highly stressed; its family members, who are often faced with the decision of euthanization or rehoming and the victims of an attack, left traumatised by the experience.

Article Written by Marina Timms and Chris Baker: www.k9matters.co.uk