By Christine D. Calder,
DVM, DACVB
Calder Veterinary Behavior Services, www.caldervbs.com
Aggression comes from the Latin word "aggredi," meaning "to attack." Today, when we think of aggression, we often picture hostile actions like biting, growling, or fighting. However, in animals like dogs, aggression is more complex than just attacking or biting.
What Is Aggression?
Aggression is usually seen as harmful behavior, such as fighting or biting. Some experts describe it as initiating a conflict or acting in a hostile way. However, aggression is not an emotion itself—it is a behavior triggered by emotions such as fear, or frustration. For instance, a dog may bite because it is scared, not because it is deliberately choosing to be aggressive. It is important to understand that aggression is a reaction to emotions, not an emotion on its own. This explains why animals can act aggressively for different reasons, depending on the feelings that drive their behavior.
Different Types of Aggression
Understanding aggression in dogs can be challenging because different experts define it in different ways. For example, a dog that bites might be labeled with terms like "conflict aggression," "fear aggression," or "food-related aggression," depending on who is evaluating the behavior. This can lead to confusion because a single behavior might be described with multiple labels. This inconsistency happens when people do not clearly distinguish between the context (the situation in which the behavior happens), the motivation (why the dog is behaving that way), and the emotion (how the dog feels) driving the behavior.
Aggression vs. Aggressive Behavior
Another challenge is the way we use the word "aggression." In science, behaviors need to be clearly described, but aggression refers to many different actions that could cause harm. It is not one specific behavior—it encompasses a range of actions where harm might occur. This lack of clarity makes it difficult for scientists to agree on a single definition of aggression. Some experts prefer the term "aggressive behavior" because it encourages us to carefully examine the situation and consider what is actually happening, rather than lumping all harmful actions under one broad label.
Understanding Context, Motivation, and Emotion
To truly understand aggressive behavior, we need to look at three key factors: context, motivation, and emotion.
1. Context: This refers to the situation in which the behavior occurs. For example, a dog might bite while guarding its food. However, simply knowing the dog bit someone over food does not fully explain why the bite happened or what led to it.
2. Motivation: Motivation refers to the underlying reason for the behavior. Was the dog trying to protect itself? Did it anticipate harm? Was the dog responding to a perceived threat in its environment? Motivation cannot be directly observed, but we can make educated guesses by examining what happened before and after the behavior.
3. Emotion: Emotion explains how the dog feels during the behavior. Two dogs might react very differently to the same situation based on their emotional state. For example, one dog might feel fear and attempt to run away while another might feel threatened and choose to bite instead.
The Role of Emotions in Aggressive Behavior
Emotions play a significant role in how animals behave, particularly when they act aggressively. For instance, a dog that is scared may bite out of fear while another might bite due to frustration or feeling threatened. Emotions shape how dogs interpret their environment and respond to various situations.
Some common emotions that can lead to aggressive behavior include:
• Fear: A dog might bite because it is afraid of being harmed.
• Frustration: When a dog desires something but cannot obtain it, such as food or attention, it may act aggressively. Frustration can also occur when aversive tools are used, or if the dog experiences confusion during training.
• Pain: A dog in pain may bite to protect itself or react aggressively when touched in a way that causes, or it believes will cause, discomfort.
Conclusion
Aggression in animals, particularly dogs, is more complicated than it might seem. It is influenced by the situation, the motivation behind the behavior, and the emotions that drive it. To fully understand why a dog behaves aggressively, we must go beyond the actions themselves and explore the underlying causes. By focusing on these deeper factors, we can better manage and address aggressive behavior in dogs, leading to safer and happier outcomes for both the dogs and the people around them.
