Dominance vs. Aggression

Dominance vs. Aggression​

It's important to understand that not all aggressive dogs are dominant and not all dominant dogs are aggressive. The two can go hand in hand (and often do) but are not mutually determinative.

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There are two forms of dominant dogs. A dog, that is dog dominant and one that is human dominant. Again, they often go together but aren't conditioned upon one another. I had a dog that was extremely hot when it came to any other dog, no one would dare stare at her funny. She put all the pushy dogs in their place and had yet to meet her match. However, she was a complete softy when it came to humans. Any harsh words or tone from someone, even a nasty glance and she is over on her back with her legs in the air. I have also had a dog that thought he was king of his human pack family, but in the company of a few steadfast dogs, he would cower in the corner.

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In my opinion, there are 4 basic forms of aggression in dogs (though there are actually many variations of these forms of aggression, resulting in many more different types of aggression. For example, protective aggression is a variation of protection aggression, etc.) Fear aggression, Possession aggression, Dominance aggression, and (un)Natural aggression.

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Fear aggression results from a fearful dog resorting to its last defense, one of physical force. This is the old "backed up into a corner" idea, be it physically or psychologically. You don't always have to have one backed in a true, physical corner or scared to death to get the reaction. Even though there may be other avenues of action available, the dogs don't know of them or have the skills to see them and thinks it has no other options. Striking out of fear can become a knee-jerk reaction for them over time.

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Possession aggression comes as a result or byproduct of fear or dominance aggression - a "hands off my stuff" reaction to the threat of losing something. It is almost always food or treats that are at issue but it can also be toys, leashes, attention, or even a place to lie down. Dominant dogs display this as a bossy way of keeping their things. Fearful dogs do it as one final attempt to keep possession over the item before giving in.

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Dominance aggression is what you expect it to be. Aggression when a member of lower rank tries to challenge or push someone of higher rank. The higher rank individual shows the aggression to squash the up rise. This is where human confusion rises from, as this can be observed readily and we tend to use the terms interchangeably, though they are not. Lower ranked, though not unmatched, dogs will also show aggression in an attempt to take over that higher position. A dog, in relation to a human pack member, should never occupy either of these. They should always be of lower rank and not so close in dominance as to be able to challenge the authority with aggression. Many times altercations occur between the #2 and #3 dogs, vying for the next in rank. Seldom does this happen in domesticated packs of dogs, more often seen or observed in rural communities where dogs run wild in smaller packs of 5 to 7 dogs.

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Natural aggression is where the dog just has something mentally wrong and "snaps", letting loose with a flurry of aggression. This can be psychological but more than likely a chemical imbalance or defect in the brain. These dogs are generally euthanized (and should be). The sad reality is, we just don't know enough to cure them.

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As long as you are consistent in your treatment of your dominant dog and not allow them to begin to think that she is slowly vying for the role of leader, you shouldn't have much of a problem. Understanding Pack mentality is truly vital, when choosing to own such a powerful breed as the APBT. <O:p</O:p