The Making Of A Dangerous Dog - responsibilities of owners and breeders

Animals, Fall, 2001 by Pamela H. Sacks

The statistical analysis of attacks bears out the views expressed by Golab and Reisner, who is a behaviorist at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Since 1975, people have been killed by dogs belonging to more than 30 breeds, including dachshunds, golden retrievers, a Yorkshire terrier, and a Labrador retriever. In recent months, a Pomeranian and a Lhasa apso have joined the list. For this reason and others, Reisner is uncomfortable with generalizations. "We all know extrasweet pit bulls and rotties," she says. "I know quite a few golden retrievers who are unpredictable and aggressive to their own families."

Given the significant role that genes play in determining nature, experts urge anyone thinking about getting a dog to first consult with a veterinarian, trainer, or behavioral specialist. "If someone says to me, `I have a one-year-old child and I want a rottie,' I wouldn't say that's the ideal breed," Reisner says. No matter what, animal professionals stress that once the pet is selected, behavior will depend largely on whether it has been properly socialized and trained, the state of its health, the environment in which it lives, and the actions of the people it encounters.

Research has shown that the stage for a dog's future relationships with people, other animals, and its surroundings is largely set in the first 12 weeks of life, when it is most receptive to learning. Kelley Bollen, a behavior consultant with the MSPCA, says that during this time a puppy should be walked through crowded streets on a leash, ride in the car, visit a veterinarian's office, and be introduced to other dogs. She suggests taking along a small bag of treats, which can be used to help an approaching stranger become a fast friend. Because fear is the most common reason for biting, this is also the time to make the pet feel comfortable with being picked up or groomed and even tolerate being pushed over or having its tail pulled, notes Bollen.

The puppy should learn to adjust to having its food and toys removed. Competitive games, such as tug-of-war, should be avoided; a rousing round of fetch is the perfect substitute. Among other things, these steps will help childproof your pet--an important step, since more than half of bite victims are youngsters. No matter how tolerant the dog, however, experts warn that a child should not be left alone with it. "Children are curious. They don't sense the cues that an adult might," says Julie Gilchrist, a CDC pediatrician and epidemiologist who participated in the study on fatal maulings. "They want to play roughly. They scream. They run. These are all appropriate for a child but can be agitating to a dog not accustomed to being around children."

In addition to early socializing activities, owners can take other steps to keep canine aggression in check. Spaying or neutering can reduce the likelihood of dog bites for a variety of reasons. Neutering decreases dominance-aggression in males and reduces their urge to roam and fight. It may also reduce aggression in females, and a spayed pet won't attract strange dogs that may be aggressive to her owners or contribute to the overpopulation problem, which results in more strays on the street. And basic-obedience classes should be viewed as an essential component of the young dog's life. The exposure to other canines is crucial, and the puppy's ability to follow a few basic commands--"come," "sit," "down"--is invaluable in maintaining control.