Causes of handler aggression

Dan · 06-13-2010, 11:38 AM

Which produces more dogs that are likely to bite the owner/handler; unfair treatment/too strong corrections, or complete lack of control/corrections?

Keith · 06-13-2010, 04:20 PM

I think that unfair treatment and corrections would push the dog to submission before anything....I think a lack of control/corrections would allow the dog to get away with a lot and then when the handler "got in the way" of him doing what he wanted he'd react aggressively to try and get what he wants by intimidating the handler an making him back off...

Matt K · 06-13-2010, 09:02 PM

Lack of control or lack of pack leader status in my opinion...

Rigel L · 06-13-2010, 09:58 PM

I guess a hard,dominant,aggressive and drivey dog should also be considered. There are some dogs that are really born that way and an experienced handler will make it worse.

Terry S · 06-15-2010, 04:32 PM

Several things in my opinion. Lack of leadership on the handlers part. Inconsistant/unfair corrections. Over correcting the dog. A very sharp dog.

Howard Gaines III · 07-10-2010, 09:56 AM

I would say that more have been done from unjust corrections, the handler being too macho and heavy handed towards the dog. Many smart dogs will take a correction from a pack leader...notice I said pack leader!

Brad S. · 07-10-2010, 11:07 PM

some more dominant dogs may overreact to even the slightest corrections and correct you right back. i agree that establishing yourself early on as a pack leader can deter this but be aware that whenever positive punishment or neg reinforcement is being used there is always the posability for handler agression

Dan · 07-10-2010, 11:42 PM

I should have specified that I meant when raising a dog from a pup.

Rocky H · 12-05-2011, 07:39 PM

I have a American bulldog,and he does great as long as there is no female in heat. I have corrected him, and he got aggressive with me. Any other time he follows my commands.I got him at 3 months old, and he was very weary of people,and still is of strangers.He will bite and want back up untill i say out.He just want listen when a female is in heat.What is your advice. I have been leaving him in his pen till they go out and he does fine.

Mick T · 12-05-2011, 09:04 PM

In dogs overall there is no doubt for me that it is lack of any correction etc. I would treat 100 dogs that are aggressive to the handler from the handler being too soft to maybe 5 with the handler being too hard especially as dogs are becoming softer and softer and are far more likely to go into avoidance when disciplined than they are to ever fight back unless they are pushed so hard that it is last resort time and few ever are.

If we section it down to only strong working dogs then the result may be different but I'd think only to the point of being line ball. I wouldn't think it would be strong in favour of being too hard with poorly timed discipline even with such dogs.

Mick.