Intra-Family Dog Aggression

Introduction:

Some of the most challenging cases for professional dog trainers are those involving intra-family dog aggression (IDA).

Aggression among dogs is essentially is a means of preventing conflict. A growl or snap warns the approaching dog to back off, and if he does, conflict is avoided. When family dogs fight, either something has gone wrong in the "warning system," or there is poor  management of the environment (and the dogs) by the owner. 

 

Same-sex fights are the most common. Male dogs fight with each other more often than females, but fights between female dogs tend to be more intense.  Fights between dogs of the opposite sex are less common, but do occur. 

Dogs with illnesses, injuries, fears, phobias and generalized anxiety are more likely to fight. Aggression is self-reinforcing, i.e. every time there is a fight it makes it more likely that there will be another.

These cases are always challenging, and there are many factors which will impact the odds of success, but some of the main things to consider are: a) the sexes and breeds of the dogs involved; b) the number of dogs in the home; c) the severity of the fights; d) the frequency of the fights. Cases involving occasional fights can be easier to deal with than cases where the dogs  fight every time they come in contact with one another. Two fights in 12 months is a completely different dynamic than 12 fights in two months.

Key action steps:

1) Enforce the deference protocol. This removes resources from "easy access" (less goodies lying around means less opportunity for conflict) and it helps the dogs focus on the owners for everything they need in life.  

2) Take complete control of your dogs’ daily routines.  Examine the household rules and rituals and look for ways to establish order.  

3) The owner must learn to read canine body language. 

4) The owner must learn the concept of the "thin line between arousal and aggression." In addition to obvious resources like toys or food,  dogs fight when they are aroused, excited or stressed - positive or negative stimuli can be equally arousing to dogs.  Cooking in the kitchen, administering medication to one of the dogs, a place on the couch or bed, the arrival of the owner, the arrival of guests,  noisy children at play, a passing dog on a leash (triggering a fight between the 2 dogs you're walking), a situation where one dog attacks another and the third jumps into the fray  - all of these are common triggers of fights. 

5) Avoiding known triggers is crucial.

6) Obedience training helps the owner gain calm, effective daily control of the dogs, without scolding or shouting. 

Safety tips: 

The strategic use of dog crates, leashes and muzzles, can help prevent future incidents.  

Never leave dogs who have fought, at home alone uncrated. 

Do not allow dogs who have fought, to play together in the back yard. 

Owners should learn how to break up fights without being bitten, and owners of pit bulls should learn how to use break sticks and keep them handy at all times.