When Dog Meets Dog
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The domestic dog is descended from the wolf and still exhibits the same behaviours.
In the ‘free’ (off lead) state dogs start sniffing and rotating around each other when they meet. They perform behavioural rituals designed to prevent fighting directly inherited from the wolf. It stands to reason that if wild dogs were to fight all the time they would eventually become extinct. Dogs, like wolves, are social creatures and fighting is not normal behaviour. So why do we see fighting between some of our dogs?
Aggression between dogs usually stems back to a lack of socialisation when puppies before 16 weeks old. And/or how we introduce our dogs to each other.
Often our dogs on leads when they meet. Dog owners often fear their dogs will be aggressive and tighten the lead and/or pull their dog away from another dog. These actions frequently trigger aggression in dogs.
Why Is This So?
õ By tightening the lead we have immediately prevented the dog from exhibiting its behavioural rituals.
õ If the dog wanted to submit by lowering its head a tight lead prevents it; this also makes your dog look bold with a tight lead forcing the head up.
õ A flight or fight response is normal animal behaviour. When a dog is in a stressful situation this natural response activates. Consequently, if the dog is prevented from fleeing by a tight lead, the dog is forced to fight; following its natural instinct.
õ Tight leads prevent a dog communicating naturally with the other dog. Stress, tension and fear are increased and this increases the chance of dogs fighting.
Remember: A dog’s only defence is to submit, run or to fight and bite.
What Should I do?
When introducing one dog to another KEEP THE LEAD LOOSE. Allow the natural behaviour of sniffing and rotating to occur.
OR
If your dog is already conditioned to fight, immediately tell your dog to come and sit when another dog is sighted. If your dog is sitting and watching you it cannot be fighting or eyeballing the other dog. Reward the dog with food every time for at least 6 weeks. This is very important as it takes at least 6 weeks to condition a dog. This process will also counter condition a dog’s mind. The dog will start thinking that meeting other dogs is wonderful as it gets food rather than something to dread if you have adopted a punishment program in the past.
Let your dogs meet on the lead and reward friendly behaviour or, if you have a fighter already, prevent it quickly by getting your dog to come quickly and sit, and reward this behaviour in the presence of other dogs.
In the ‘free’ (off lead) state dogs start sniffing and rotating around each other when they meet. They perform behavioural rituals designed to prevent fighting directly inherited from the wolf. It stands to reason that if wild dogs were to fight all the time they would eventually become extinct. Dogs, like wolves, are social creatures and fighting is not normal behaviour. So why do we see fighting between some of our dogs?
Aggression between dogs usually stems back to a lack of socialisation when puppies before 16 weeks old. And/or how we introduce our dogs to each other.
Often our dogs on leads when they meet. Dog owners often fear their dogs will be aggressive and tighten the lead and/or pull their dog away from another dog. These actions frequently trigger aggression in dogs.
Why Is This So?
õ By tightening the lead we have immediately prevented the dog from exhibiting its behavioural rituals.
õ If the dog wanted to submit by lowering its head a tight lead prevents it; this also makes your dog look bold with a tight lead forcing the head up.
õ A flight or fight response is normal animal behaviour. When a dog is in a stressful situation this natural response activates. Consequently, if the dog is prevented from fleeing by a tight lead, the dog is forced to fight; following its natural instinct.
õ Tight leads prevent a dog communicating naturally with the other dog. Stress, tension and fear are increased and this increases the chance of dogs fighting.
Remember: A dog’s only defence is to submit, run or to fight and bite.
What Should I do?
When introducing one dog to another KEEP THE LEAD LOOSE. Allow the natural behaviour of sniffing and rotating to occur.
OR
If your dog is already conditioned to fight, immediately tell your dog to come and sit when another dog is sighted. If your dog is sitting and watching you it cannot be fighting or eyeballing the other dog. Reward the dog with food every time for at least 6 weeks. This is very important as it takes at least 6 weeks to condition a dog. This process will also counter condition a dog’s mind. The dog will start thinking that meeting other dogs is wonderful as it gets food rather than something to dread if you have adopted a punishment program in the past.
Let your dogs meet on the lead and reward friendly behaviour or, if you have a fighter already, prevent it quickly by getting your dog to come quickly and sit, and reward this behaviour in the presence of other dogs.
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