MYTHBUSTING MONDAY! When dogs begin to show signs of aggression toward strangers (which is almost always fear-based), dog owners are often told to have strangers give the dog treats. While this advice is based on the foundation of positive methods - that the dog will form a more positive association to strangers - it has a high risk of failure. First, if the treat is presented as an enticement to approach the stranger (which is, without question, a bribe), it puts the dog in a state of conflict. The dog wants the treat, but doesnt want to get that close to the stranger. Conflict. Once the dog approaches and eats the offered treat, the dog suddenly finds itself much closer to the stranger than they are comfortable with, and no more food is available to make the close contact more tolerable. Aggressive displays (growling, barking, lunging, snapping, and inhibited bites) are all designed to put distance between the dog and the perceived threat. When a stranger is too close for the dogs comfort, the dog is very likely to resort to what instinct says will keep them safe. So, instead of creating a positive association to strangers, weve done the opposite...and given the dog an opportunity to practice aggression. Dogs do what works. If growling, barking, lunging, and/or snapping works, the dog will continue to use those behaviors around strangers. Second, when the approach does lead to the dog learning that strangers = treats, the result can be a dog that runs up to strangers in anticipation of treat delivery. Great! We created a positive association, whats so bad about that? Well, what does a dog look like when it anticipates treats? Friendly. The stranger sees a friendly dog approaching but, instead of giving the dog a treat, reaches out to pet him, setting the dog up to, once again, practice aggression and reinforce the negative association to strangers. Third, many well-meaning dog lovers who are happy to help out may give the fearful dog a treat, but just cant leave it at that. When they cant resist the urge to reach out to pet the dog, weve set the dog up to learn that treat = trap. Ive seen plenty of dogs that start barking and growling at a treat extended as a peace offering. So, how DO you get a fearful dog used to strangers? Take a GIANT step back. Dogs do not need to make contact with the thing they fear for behavior modification to begin. Instead of having strangers feed your dog, start by working on more desirable behaviors when strangers are at a safe distance (your dogs behavior will determine what that distance is - it could be the other side of the living room, or it could be the back of a large and mostly empty parking lot) and all the treats come from you. Your first goal should not be to get your dog to like strangers, it should be to get your dog to see strangers as an opportunity to earn great rewards from you. The next step varies greatly depending on your dog, the environment, the stranger, and more. Which is why when it comes to dogs who exhibit aggression towards strangers, working with a qualified dog behavior professional is imperative. But first, start with this great book by Laura VanArendonk Baugh. Fired Up outlines exactly how to break down a behavior modification program for your dog. Use it to learn how to start working with your dog on your own and/or as a guide to finding a professional who understands how to break behaviors down into small, easily achievable steps. dogwise/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB1301&AffiliateID=45612&Method=3 And, of course, dismiss any advice designed to punish aggressive behavior. Aggressive displays are a symptom of the dogs underlying emotion in the presence of a perceived threat. Adding something scary or painful is not going to change that emotion...at least not for the better.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 20:45:00 +0000
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