When one considers the numbers of APBT dogs with behavioral problems including aggression and unruly behavior we ask our self? Where did it go wrong?
Dog’s that has bitten or mauled a person:
What is even more disturbing is that the vast majority of these attacks are by family pet dogs!! In their own home! Most of these incidents could have been avoided and prevented and it could be said that most, was the owner’s fault.
The kind of relationship, or lack thereof, can also be added to the case. The ignorant owners, whose pet dogs would be more likely to attack are:
- Dog’s that have had no formal training, A dog’s training should begin at a about 12 weeks of age and all training should be reward based/positive reinforcement methods of learning. Abuse and punishment have no place in animal training.
- Training for a young pup and dog is vital to increase his levels of tolerance to all things, and people, as well as him learning basic manners and obedience to develop into a socially acceptable companion animal.
- Owners who keep dogs living behind solid walls with no appropriate stimulation, (visual, mental or physical).
- Yard dogs, kept as mobile security systems or defense mechanism.
- Dogs that have little or no contact with their owners and who are kept just as “Yard Dogs”.
- Dogs that have never been socialized and are kept in solitary confinement!
- Dogs who have been teased and tormented by children and develop a negative association with children.
- Untrained dogs that are taught “aggression” by ignorant trainers, are triggered by an inappropriate situation. This would be considered as a misread signal by the dog.
- Dogs that are given all the privileges of leadership in the human/canine setting. These “spoiled brat” dogs often take it upon themselves to make a misguided critical decision in the home. No dog can cope with the responsibility of being the leader in the human- dog group. Humans should be clear decision-makers and the dog should earn all privileges.
- Dogs which are over-protective, either of their environment (territory) or their owners.
- Injured or sick dogs. Defensive aggression or fear/pain biters.
- Isolated dogs deprived of meaningful contact.
- Abused dogs.
- Dogs that are kept chained up for long periods of time.
- Dogs that have been extensively physically punished, and then develop “defensive” fear aggression.
All these kinds of dogs are all potential “attack “dogs.