Dog Aggression

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

How many think that dog aggression is a genetic problem, lack of socialization or a combination of both?

I know a person who breeds and the mother of her last litter is so dog aggressive she had to consider taking the puppies from her around five weeks fearing that the mother would harm them. I suggested she didn't need to breed a dog like that, but what do I know I'm only a pet person was basically her attitude.

[TrishB]

It can be one, or the other, or a combination or additional variables. Such as abuse or poor socialization (where socialization was attempted but failed).

Dog aggression is tricky. To someone who has no intentions of having their dogs around other dogs, it may not seem important. The situation wouldn't arise, and therefore, it wouldn't be a concern.

Some have learned to become dog aggresive, some have it genetically, some have been 'taught' unwillingly by their owners.

The owner sees another dog, tightens up the leash, becomes nervous, prevents the dog to posture properly and forces the dog in an aggressive stance (head up, front legs square, body ridged). They move off and away - the leash is loosened and the dog is 'reassured'.

Personally? I would be concerned about dog aggression. As my dog does encounter other dogs. I tend to travel with my dog so I cannot always control the situation in which we may find ourselves. Parker also shows and will soon begin obedience - so dog aggression is not an option.

So for me, it would be a concern and for my purposes, I would not choose to breed that bitch. I wouldn't be willing to take the chance.

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

I should add that this person breeds GSDs and not Rottweilers.

[Ilovemypuppy]

Such a shame..it's breeders like this that turn out puppies with all sorts of fundamental behaviour problems..inherited or learned (as in this case) from an aggressive dam. I sure wouldn't want a puppy from that litter.....observing the parents, if at all possible, is just one indicator of future possiblities with puppies.

In this case, the attitude of both the dam and the breeder could likely figure into early experiences for those puppies.

:(

[Greg_1111]

I think some dogs have more of a propensity to "aggression" than others. we call it aggression, but that term is from our own social paradigm, not the dog world. with that said. it has been noted that what we percieve to be potentially agrresive naturally (or dominant as puppies in a litter) can be observed as puppies. however,, it's also a fact that environment, training, and socialization are also huge factors in the equation. I believe that in most cases,, you can mould behaviour in most dogs. the earlier the better

[K9-man]

Originally posted by Diane Heller
I suggested she didn't need to breed a dog like that

I would too!!

[Greg_1111]

taking puppies away from their mother at five weeks isn't a good thing either,, so even if the puppies din't have an inherent genetic flaw or propensity towards aggression, there is a good chance that they would be negatively affected by being deprived of the litter environment which is vital to early socialization

[Judi W]

Dog aggression and good mothering are two entirely different things. A bitch that lacks mothering skills should never be rebred. That does tend to be passed from mother to daughter so her daughters should be considered iffy on breeding as well.

Dog aggression however is from an completely different area of behavior. Whether it is a problem or not depends upon training and leadership of the owner. A breed that was not developed to run in a pack (such as hounds) or to work in a pack is often dog aggressive but that only shows if the dog has not received proper training and disregards the owner/handler. Neither the GSD or the Rottweiler was bred to run and work in a dog pack, but were bred to work with a person.