For example, a dog who is frightened about being in the consultation area might also be frustrated that they are contained, restrained on a lead, and unable to escape to a position of perceived safety.Īnother common example is a dog who would really like to eat the treat offered to them but is at the same time worried about approaching the person who is offering it. Especially if it is someone unfamiliar and in an unusual or worrying place, such as the veterinary team in the clinic. It is important to remember that several emotions may be expressed, to varying degrees, at the same time. The aggressive behaviour of lunging, growling, and snapping is performed without any emotional component, but instead as a learned and now habitual response within this setting. The dog now has a behavioural strategy that can give them confidence when vets approach in the consult room. The aggressive response may well have been emotionally driven initially, but over time the emotional component of the behaviour has reduced until what manifests is a learnt habitual response to the stimulus.įor example, a dog who initially lunged, growled, and then snapped when touched by a vet in the consult room, due to pain, might learn that this works well to keep vets safely at bay. It is possible, however, for aggressive behaviour to become a habitual response to a stimulus if the response results in a predictable outcome for the dog. This can lead to an individual viewing aggression as a successful behavioural strategy for times when they feel threatened.Īggressive behaviour is usually functional and serves a purpose for the individual. The pain associated with the restraint is alleviated when the person holding them lets go. For example, an arthritic dog being held tightly or in an uncomfortable position for a blood sample might respond aggressively, perhaps growling or even snapping. the effect of physical and emotional needs – particularly where these are unmet, such as hunger arising from food deprivation, as well as thirst and sexual frustration.Īggressive behaviour can provide immediate relief by effectively reducing distress and any associated pain.sudden withdrawal of anticipated rewards.irritation to the body (either internally or externally provoked/elicited).restriction of physical activity or ability to achieve their desired goal.However, exactly how dogs experience this feeling is still being explored.Īggressive behaviour associated with frustration is commonly observed in individuals within a variety of contexts, including: RageĬan a dog be angry? They can certainly be frustrated, which is closely linked with anger.ĭogs have brain systems that generate highly irritated behaviours and negative emotional feelings which have been termed ‘rage’. The inability to avoid a fearful situation can be a reason for aggressive behaviour displayed within a veterinary context. Where an individual is unable to avoid a stimulus perceived as fearful, however, they might try to repel the stimulus by behaving aggressively. Consequently, an individual can become sensitised to situations in which they have been overwhelmingly or repeatedly traumatised.įor example, a dog might develop sound sensitivity upon hearing unexpected and unexplained loud noises – such as fireworks – and might try to hide away to avoid them. Because behaviour is itself so individual-specific and influenced by so many factors, two dogs might respond very differently within the same situation.įear helpfully enables an individual to anticipate potentially hazardous and/or painful stimuli, motivating avoidance behaviour. It is usually, but not always, emotional for the signaller, as well as for the receiver or observer. Therefore, unless a dog has learned that aggressive behaviour is particularly successful within a specific context, they might initially attempt to diffuse a perceived threatening situation with avoidance, inhibition, or appeasement/affiliative behaviour.Īggressive behaviour expresses the individual’s feeling about the current situation they’re in. However, aggressive behaviour has a potential biological cost to the aggressor as it risks potential injury and damage to relationships upon which the individual might depend. It is generally used to describe a collection of behaviours in which there is a perceived risk of harm from one individual to another, such as lunging, growling, and biting. The term aggression is value-laden and inconsistently defined.
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