See if you can profile the dogs in these three scenarios:
1. A dog acts aggressively toward other dogs, lunging, barking angrily, and charging forward and then backward. He also gives a warning bark if people try to pet him.
The dog is
A) Anxious
B) Fearful
C) Confident
2. A dog rushes up to another dog with impolite dog manners, approaching fast and in a straight line instead of a slight arc. But instead of stiffening and answering with a hard stare, the second dog throws his chest to the ground and his rump in the air, with his tail waving madly. The first dog just stares at him, stands up a little taller, and does not move. The second one remains for a moment and then runs off to find another dog to play with. The second dog is
A) Anxious
B) Fearful
C) Confident
3. A dog acts like he is the boss of his human, growling if the person goes to pick up his half-empty food bowl or put away his toys.
The dog is
A) Anxious
B) Fearful
C) Confident
Let’s start by saying that there’s some overlap of emotions, but in the main, dog number 1 is fearful (and anxious). People think of a fearful dog as one who is cowering, but that’s not always the case. The forward-and-backward cha-cha is a telltale sign. And all the barking and lunging is designed to keep the other dog away. Yes, it’s aggressive, and if the dog had a chance, he might even hurt the other dog. But the aggression is born of fear, not confidence. The dog feels in danger even if he isn’t and falsely perceives a deep need to protect himself.
Your job with dog number 1: Make your dog feel protected by keeping him away from dogs and people that scare him. Don’t take him to dog parks where other dogs can run up to him willy-nilly. Introduce him to other dogs and people one at a time. Start with very gentle ones (of both species) that you choose carefully.
Dog number 2 is confident. He feels secure enough to try to make friends with a dog who is acting like a bully. When that doesn’t work, he doesn’t need to strut his stuff. He’ll just find someone else to hang out with on the playground.
Your job with dog number 2: Keep doing whatever you’re doing. You have a dream dog who you don’t have to worry will get into unnecessary scrapes with others. He is happy and feels good about life.
Dog number 3 is anxious (and somewhat fearful). His is a classic case of owner-directed aggression. It’s often mistaken as a dog trying to show who is the alpha in the home, but it’s actually confusion over how things are supposed to go. It used to be called dominance aggression but today is called conflict aggression. The conflict is inner — he is uncomfortable with the interaction and does not know what to expect or how to respond to make his needs known. Such a dog feels terribly insecure and confused. Think of how it might feel to be hungry and tired in a strange place where you don’t know the language or customs and can’t communicate what you need. Perhaps someone gives you food and then, just as you are about to eat, pulls it away. Even being afraid that they will pull it away can make you act differently than you might otherwise. That’s how it is for a dog with conflict aggression.
Your job with dog number 3: It starts with plenty of exercise — an hour or more each day. (See story on page 3.) If you don’t provide lots of opportunities for physical activity, the conflict aggression simply is not going to get resolved.
You also want to avoid the resources your dog is guarding: his food bowl, his toys, his dog bed. It may even be that you don’t give him certain things that he can’t handle or save them for when he is going to be alone. Put away toys that make him growl at you if you go near them.
Additionally, always feed the dog at the same time and in the same place. Furthermore, if he is anxious and insecure about having people near, including you, feed him in his own space. When he is done, open the door or gate where you have let him eat in peace, let him out, and then go in and pick up the bowl.
Most importantly, always use open, clear communication with the dog, along with positive reinforcement clicker training. And increase the predictability of the environment with regular routines.
Bottom line: Let him feel loved and cared for by providing for his basic needs — food, water, exercise, and mental stimulation without contingency in a way that is safe for both of you. Help him feel like a success by protecting him from situations in which he will make bad choices. Finally, let him know exactly what he is doing right by capturing and rewarding desirable behaviors: “Good choice, Fido!” Click. Treat.
