by Cheryl Carlson | July 11, 2017 | ©Cher Car Kennels
I’m using the term “social aggression” to mean aggression within a pack, or a social group. It can be a form of territorial aggression, as well, if it happens only on the home ground of the dog, but true social aggression is within the pack or group, and is not determined by location.
As we all know, dogs are hierarchal in nature, meaning that there is no democracy in dogs. There is a clear pecking order, and that order is to be maintained regardless of stimulus. In fact, stimulus may cause the order to be re-established.
Example #1: Two dogs are in their fenced in back yard. They are stimulated by a visitor, either human or dog, that enters the fenced in area. Almost immediately, the two original dogs will interact in a way that maintains their order… the dominant dog will make sure that he/she is the first to the new dog, for example. If the non dominant dog runs past the dominant dog to greet the visitor, that could trigger the dominant dog to attack the subservient dog. This is not always the case, of course, and order can be maintained in many different ways. Some dogs choose sleeping areas, other feeding areas. Some dogs have no inclination or drive like this.
In social packs that include people and dogs, the same can be seen.
Example #2: A mature dog is in a family of people that have had a child. The dog appears to be very protective, and “good” with the child. However, as the child starts to crawl, or stand, the dog may feel it’s totally ok for it to discipline the child, as if it was a young pup in the family. A puppy taking a discipline bite to the face may verbally complain (yelp, cry) for a bit. A child getting the same treatment is going to need to see the doctor.
In starting with an older dog, it is not uncommon for the dog to sort out the family by size, stature, providing food, sound of voice, eye contact. So an adult dog coming into a family with a large male human and a much smaller, female human may certainly think that he is below the large male, but is above the smaller female, especially if the female is much more attentive to the dog. If you fawn over, cuddle, pet and fuss, it can be read by a dog as supplication, much as a young pup bothers older dogs by licking their lips, crawling under them, actively showing submission. This can lead to the dog thinking that he can “correct” the smaller human for what he believes are undesirable behaviors.
Entering the pack
When a dog is with his pack, and another person or dog enters that pack, it is normal for the dog to alarm when the person or dog is first seen. This dates back to very old behaviors that were very much desired when the dog accompanied large groups of humans. The dog alerted to any stranger approaching, anyone that was outside the group. This behavior can be seen today when a group of people and dogs are camping together. Everyone is getting along, sitting around the campfire. One human gets up to go to the restroom. Upon returning, the entire packs of dogs react, barking, challenging the person who was just there.
This behavior can be troublesome, however, when the dog has not accepted all the family members in a group, or has bonded more strongly with one person and not the others. The dog that is bonded to the husband, for example, is absolutely fine when he comes home from work, and the dog is alone. The dog may be fine when the wife comes home from work, and the dog is alone. BUT, when the dog and the husband are home, and the wife arrives AND the dog views her as ranking in social position UNDERNEATH THE DOG, she may be greeted with growling/challenging behavior until the dog feels that she has acknowledged her place in the pack.
If you notice this behavior, you must change the dog’s reaction before it becomes ingrained. If the dog is not behaving in a friendly, subservient way with everyone in the family, the corrections must come from the dominant person, not the subservient one. It is not wise to simply correct the dog, because that doesn’t change his attitude about the person as a whole.
1. Coming Home. Do not allow the subservient person to enter the home with the dominant person IF THE DOG IS LOOSE. If the dominant person is home, he/she should either greet the homecoming human by physically smiling, greeting by voice, hugging, inviting the person to come in, basically. The dog should be allowed to see this behavior as positive. It may be necessary in the beginning to tether the dog back from the door, or to crate the dog when the person comes in. If the dog is tethered, or crated, the subservient person should be the one that lets the dog out, or off the tether, and that should happen after the person has been in the room for a bit, any energy from other dogs should have dissipated, and there is a sense of calm in the house. If the subservient person feels at all threatened by the dog, he/she should NOT approach the crate, or dog until they feel completely comfortable with the dogs behavior.
2. Vehicles. The subservient person should get in the vehicle, and then the dog should be told to get in. Each time the subservient person leaves the vehicle; the dog should be taken out, and only allowed back in after the subservient person has gotten in.
3. Laps, bed, couch. If the dog and dominant person is on the couch, or on the bed, the dog should be told to get “off” by the dominant person BEFORE the subservient person approaches. The subservient person should not attempt to pet, stroke or touch the dog while it’s on the dominant persons’ lap, or sleeping next to the dominant person.
Much of this may sort itself out without much ado. This is usually a problem when the dog is first acquired, however, I have seen this happen when a family puppy grows up, and then becomes the dominant persons’ service animal, or a police K9. The special bond that happens between the service or K9 dog and its handler can trigger this social aggression. The age of the typical dog that starts this behavior is around a year and a half, and will continue to strengthen until the dog is three. I have not seen any benefit to neutering in this situation.
THINGS the dominant person MUST do
*Interact affectionately with the subservient person while the dog is present.
Defer to the person, meaning, get up and move away from the couch, and have the subservient take your place on the couch.
*If the dog reacts to the subservient in an aggressive way, correct the dog by voice, but think disappointment, not aggression. More like “Don’t you DARE do that; what is WRONG WITH YOU?!!” but make sure the dog knows you are talking to HIM, not to the subservient. Look him in the eye; turn your back to the subservient, basically focusing on the dog while ignoring the subservient. If the subservient is a child, it is VERY IMPORTANT to not discipline the child for its behavior in front of the dog. So, if your child forgets and comes into the room with the dog loose, and triggers the dog, necessitating a correction from the dominant, DO NOT chide, scold, or punish your child immediately. That will make the dog believe that the child was the transgressor. Even if the child was, you can explain what he/she did wrong later. Again, DO NOT YELL OR CHASTISE YOUR CHILD IN FRONT OF THE SOCIALLY DOMINANT DOG.
*TRAIN THE DOG IN OBEDIENCE. It is important that the dog listen to and accept the dominant in everything. Force the issue if you need. Many dogs would never dare insert themselves above a human, so you already know you have a socially dominant dog. By setting understandable boundaries, teaching the dog to stay, sit and heel are all basic skills that show him that you truly are in charge. If you are in charge, he will listen and follow your lead. Try as often as you can to show that you want the other persons in your family to be there, by acknowledging them when they come into the room, by moving toward them, smiling, and speaking.
THINGS the subservient person MUST do
Don’t fuss over the dog. This cannot be overstated. By cooing, petting or stroking you are moving yourself underneath the dog. You are acting as a subservient young dog, and are being treated as such. Simple commands, understandable requests, and getting the dog to earn your praise is your goal. Remember to set up the dog to win, meaning communicate with the dominant about what you are going to do. Remind the dominant that it’s their job to think ahead, just as you do.
When entering the room, come in boldly, do not sneak, or slow down. You belong there, and you have to act like it. Take over all feeding of the problem dog. Remember that the trouble starts when you enter or leave. That means the yard, a vehicle, or a room. Even in your own house, you will have to be aware of this reality. This is probably not going to be forever, but it can take a very long time.