Aggression: territorial in Dogs (Canis) | Vetlexicon
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Aggression: territorial

ISSN 2398-2942

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Introduction

  • Occurs at boundaries and thresholds, in cars, or while next to owners.
  • Is form of defensive aggession.
  • Common in guarding breeds.
  • Directed particularly towards delivery people that leave when chased or threatened, or others that dog may view as suspicious or threatening.

Presenting signs

  • Aggression shown at boundary, fence, gate, doorway or threshold.
  • Aggression often directed at delivery people or people whom dog perceives as threat to themselves or their social group.
  • Threat display conducted by dog as stranger approaches territory boundary.

Acute presentation

  • Owner requests euthanasia as result of aggressive incident. Owner's attitude to aggression varies depending on their own tolerance and severity of problem.

Age predisposition

  • Aggression usually begins at 7-8 months as dog matures and becomes more confident of ability to take action.

Breed/Species predisposition

  • Jack Russell Terrier.

Cost considerations

  • Owners may be found guilty of offence under various Acts and be liable to fine, damages and legal costs.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

  • Inherited predisposition.
  • Fear + lack of confidence.
  • Manifests at puberty.
  • Reinforcement following successful aggressive incident, eg fast exit of postman.
  • Repeated reinforcement eg normal departure of postman/people passing property which dog percieves as success.
  • Aggressive attempts by owner to control situation, eg raised voice/physical punishment, helps to confirm threat → increased aggression by dog.

Predisposing factors

General
  • Certain lines and breeds may have greater propensity for developing aggression.

Specific

  • Lack of adequate exposure and early correction.
  • Easily defended or defined territory, eg crate, fence, car, etc or if the dog is kept on a tether.
  • Reared with innately aggressive adult dog.

Timecourse

  • Usually begins at social maturity, dog gradually learns to improve use of aggression to keep people off territory. Owners usually present at time of onset or following particularly difficult incident or complaint.

Diagnosis

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Treatment

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Prevention

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Outcomes

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Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

Other sources of information

  • Landsberg G, Hunthausen W & Ackerman L (1997) Handbook of behavior problems of the dog and cat. pp 139-140.
  • Overall K L (1997) Clinical behavioral medicine for small animals. pp 104, 109-111.

Organisation(s)

  • Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, PO Box 46, Worcester WR8 9YS, UK. Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1386 751151; Email: apbc@petbcent.demon.co.uk; Website: http://www.apbc.co.uk.