How Instincts Can Change Dogs

[moondog]

Portland, Oregon News
OREGON LOCAL NEWS

Astoria-area mauling death shows how instincts can change dogs from friendly to ferocious

By Lori Tobias, The Oregonian
March 03, 2010, 7:56PM

A tragic event in Clatsop County has many dog owners wondering how a trusted friend suddenly turns into a killer.

Animal behaviorists say it's really no mystery but rather instincts, and virtually every dog has them. But when those predatory behaviors are exhibited by the larger, more powerful breeds, such as Rottweilers or pit bulls, serious injury or even death can occur.

That cruel fact was brought home Sunday to a family in Svensen, near Astoria, when 4-year-old Ashlynn Anderson was mauled to death by one of the family's Rottweilers.

Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin said Ashlynn was playing in the front yard of the family's rural home about 1 p.m. and two Rottweilers were in a separate area divided from Ashlynn by a 4-foot fence.

But when Ashlynn's mother, D'ette Browning, looked out to check on her daughter, she saw the girl on the ground and one of the dogs standing nearby. Ashlynn's stepfather, Jesse Browning, called 9-1-1, and medics responded quickly, Bergin said. But it was too late. A helicopter rushed Ashlynn to OHSU Hospital in Portland, but she was pronounced dead on arrival.

No one may ever know exactly what happened, but animal behaviorists say it is likely something triggered the dog's prey drive. It's the same drive found in all canids, such as foxes and wolves, said Heather Toland, director of the DoveLewis Animal Assisted Therapy and Education Program.

"They scan, they alert, they target, they chase, they grab, they might shake, they kill and they dissect," Toland said. "A 4-year-old child moves and looks a lot like prey, and dogs are first and foremost predators. When a 4-year-old squeals, in delight to us, to the dog that may sound like an injured rabbit, as it's running around flailing its arms and legs."

But it also may have been nothing the child did and any number of triggers in the environment, said Tanya Roberts, Training and Behavior Department manager at the Oregon Humane Society. The dog might have become excited by a squirrel or by the other Rottweiler. It might have simply smelled something or seen someone passing the home.

"It's very, very common," said Roberts. "It's why dogs chase balls, kids on bicycles. It's just something that dogs do.

"We have to respect that it is something they do and put in safety perimeters for children. I don't think it is a good idea to leave young kids and animals in the home unattended. Guards go down; you think everything is fine. You don't know what the environment is going to do. It only takes a second for something to happen."

And when it involves a large, powerful dog, such as a Rottweiler, the ending is potentially tragic.

That's one of the reasons Rottweilers are often labeled as dangerous or aggressive. But in fact, they really are no different from other dogs, said Toland. What can be different, however, is breeding and training.

"I've had a fabulous Rottweiler in my therapy program," she said, but "any dog can be ill bred."

"There is a lot to be said about careful breeding, not breeding for looks but for temperament."

Training from a young age is also key, as is early socialization, adequate exercise and attention.

Dog owners also need to remember that not every dog can be in every situation successfully, said Jacqui Neilson, veterinarian and board-certified veterinary behaviorist.

"All animals come with some risks," Neilson said. "When you know there are certain situations your dog is not good in, you may need to take steps to avoid those situations or manage those situations so he can't put others at risk.

"Some of the nicest dogs I've ever met are Rotties. You can't take a broad brush and paint it. But you do have to be more careful with large breed dogs just because they can inflict more damage."

-- Lori Tobias

OregonLive.com

[vale]

This is a fantastic article, thanks for sharing it. I'm glad SOME people understand how important it is to NOT blame an entire breed of dogs and aren't afraid to say so in a situation as sad as this one.

[luvkoenandBriley]

I also agree that this is a great informative article.

[frontierrots]

I got a scathing Facebook pm from the granmom who said the girl was not unsupervised and not alone with the dog

On the Ax Men on History Facebook page the aunt claims the girl WAS in a fenced yard with the Rott playing unsupervised and that the girl and dog loved each other

On another online news site a woman who claims to be the neighbor says she heard nothing til the human adults screaming and went out and saw the Rotts AND a labrador that had been running the neighborhood with in the yard with the girls body and that the Lab came back the next day to lick bloody grass and she chased him off with a broom

I believe there is far far more to the story then we will ever know

The fact no one disputes is that 4 months ago the family had their third Rott taken away and PTS because of biting incidents

Obviously there is a lack of training and socializing and breed knowledge

[Lola B Marie]

Excellent article. Thanks for taking the time to put it on our site.
When we got Lola, I truly believed that she would act and react just as my first girl did. I thought it had to do with the sex of the dog. Males could be dangerous and female rotties sweet and docile. Sheena Marie was a therapy rott. She was kind gentle, loved other animals ands kids, especially babies. She even had her own fish. She was just a perfect ambassador for the breed.
Lola, much to our amazement is the complete opposite. She is food aggressive, animal aggressive, hates most dogs, barks her brains out and if anything like nail cutting, or ear cleaning is attempted, she will issue a loud warning. I don't think she would bite me but, I don't trust her. She is a lot of work, a lot of constant training and had I gotten her first, I never would have owned another rottweiler. Now I know how important a good breeder is and that temperment is everything.
This is why the article you posted is so valuable. Owners need to know that each dog is different. It is not a breed thing or sex of a dog. It is the individual dog being a dog. Some dogs seem to have more human qualities while others are more canine.
RDN has certainly educated me well and your posts have been a big part of that.
Jane

[Cdn1050]

This is one of the best informative articles I've read that doesn't blame the breed and explains dog behaviour to the public. Thank you for posting it.

[EliDogInTraining]

That has to be one of the most correct, informative and unbiased articles about behaviour I've ever read especially after any dog attack.

[shimmer]

must say that the article was the most informative that I have read in a while. Large and small dogs all have prey drive, some more than others. This should come under STICKY. And should be sent to every politician ( FL) that has a bill coming up.

shimmer

[JoJo]

Originally Posted by shimmer

must say that the article was the most informative that I have read in a while. Large and small dogs all have prey drive, some more than others. This should come under STICKY. And should be sent to every politician ( FL) that has a bill coming up
shimmer

You are reading my mind!!! I do believe I will "share" that article with our law makers!! Along with a note about irresponsible owners.

[MarthaG]

I haven't commented on this article but I have read it a number of times. So many times bad things happen and it's just a slip up or a lack of knowledge. I know this isn't likely but when a person buys a rottie and gets AKC papers maybe it would be good to have a pamphlet on how to raise this pup to be a good and sounded minded rottweiler. Every breed should have a similar pamphlet so that new first time owners know the way it should be done. I have no idea who should write about the psychology of a dog's mind but I just thought it was worth thinking about. You never know how somethings can happen for the good.

[fbkeays]

Originally Posted by MarthaG

I know this isn't likely but when a person buys a rottie and gets AKC papers maybe it would be good to have a pamphlet on how to raise this pup to be a good and sounded minded rottweiler.

You must not have had an AKC registered rottweiler or paid much attention when you did get the registration. The ARC for years has included a page on the history of the breed as well as encouraging training and socialization.

[MarthaG]

fbkeays, I went and pulled out my boy's AKC papers and I see it. I didn't notice it before because I looked at his papers and didn't check any further. Thank you.

[Howard33]

If people feel the need for legislation concerning so called dangerous breeds then more thought should be given to regulating the process of how one goes about breeding, purchasing and registering a given breed rather than an outright ban.

[shimmer]

Unfortunately, the people that we put in office are not doing their jobs! They are doing what benefits them. They pay lip service to the people and then do the opposite of what the people want. Too bad that dog owners are not required to go to at least 2 classes, where they can learn how to be responsible dog owners. This should be mandatory, and the cost of the classes be around $20.00 this makes it affordable for all. > I believe that if you can afford a dog then you should be able to afford at min. 2 classes. JMO

shimmer

[eminbrasil]

I personally believe that if the correct figures were shown on bites or dog attacks globally you would find that they are no higher in the Rottweiler breed than in any other breed - that is why this article is particularly good !

Because of the minority (as normal), dogs like Rottweilers/Pitbulls etc are being perceived as dangerous dogs ! A bite from a small dog can be just as harmful physically and mentally but because it is a small dog people treat it more lightly

As I posted in other threads I have heard of far more incidents relating to other breeds than Rottweilers. Unfortunately it seems to be an uphill battle against those who make the sweeping statements that Rottweilers are dangerous. Most of these people have probably never known a properly bred/raised Rottweiler and as such are just taking the information as read without knowing any different

There is currently a discussion going on here about possibly banning the breeding of Rottweilers. It breaks my heart. Again it won't stop dog attacks. If the sort of people who these incidents relate to continue having dogs, whether it be a Rottie or a lab, the incidents will still happen because they will not put the time or effort in to understanding their dog or alternatively will train it to be aggressive because it makes them look hard

I know all of us on this forum feel very passionately about this subject. I struggle daily with peoples perception of our dog when they don't even know her - most of these people don't know the meaning of the word training or behaviour

I guess all we can do is battle it out, keep trying to educate people and hope that legislation against our beautiful breed doesn't spiral out of control