the Canine Ladder of Aggression

Article # 6 Dogs & Safety

Bringing awareness into all our inner dog circles

This is the quickest visual aid I have come across in my studies to date to show the reader why a dog goes from no threat to the risk of threat in a split second or two or sometimes without warning.
How does a dog go from lip licking (signalling it's ok) with a relaxed stance, play bow, or encountering a free sniff to growling high standing with ears back, eyes staring, teeth bared, hackles raised and then possibly snapping and biting?

The Canine Ladder of Aggression -- By Kendall Sheperd 2004

A Labrador displaying calming signals by nose licking. Appears relaxed very little risk if any is indicated by this example.

Usually, there is a warning. This article will get into some examples and show the reader the signs in the next few paragraphs.

This Golden Retriever appears aggressive and I would not approach. I would observe very quickly what the threat is and remove it or myself from the situation immediately. People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan.

Everything appeared to be ok. Then around the corner, another dog appears, it sees a cat or say a loud noise happens. The scene just changed. A dog's natural response is to warn if merit is present. Perhaps, it is not- If not, a dog could go from green to red without warning. Things can escalate quite quickly.

Know what to do before the scene presents itself to reduce risk whenever possible. Probably best to remove Fido from this picture so he doesn't have to visit the vet for scratches to his cornea or lens which can lead to unexpected expensive bill. Both dogs and cats can be unpredictable. Unless you know 100% there is zero risk-remove it.

Do you know how dogs react to stress or a threat? Can you read a dogs body language to know if there is a risk of danger? Are you at risk or are they? Risk assessment is focused primarily on prevention and identifying these skills, as we bring awareness into our homes and inner dog circles. Our response is important in order to reduce and prevent any risk or threat of harm, injury, and worst case, death.

According to industry experts and in my own experience, it's best to not engage, as your first choice, whenever possible. If it means safely crossing a street, taking a different path or trail, do so. Perhaps, the canine you are walking is small enough you can just pick him up to minimize any chance of being attacked; if there is a dog approaching displaying aggressive behaviors but is not muzzled. People apologize for this behavior, all the time. Many people are uneducated and unaware about how to correct their dogs aggressive behavior. Which leaves others at risk-daily. Let's reduce risk whenever we can.

Do not be mistaken, we do want our dogs socialized and encourage interaction, but these examples are about when you are out and about, not necessarily in a dog park where this can be the initial goal. However, these skills are applicable in those situations too.

Sharing another example when a dog has been spooked by a loud noise where you can clearly see the walk has gone from pleasant to raising concern. Both human and canine are alerted. The dogs posture is changed from being relaxed to becoming stressed now that it feels anxious/fearful when things happen.

Both human and dog need to assess if there is a risk of threat and if threat aversion behaviors are necessary to exercise if risks are now being displayed during your observation of the situation. This is what determines if turning around and leaving the scene is best or if its OK to proceed with caution until the noise stops and the risk has passed or not.

Are you watching the whole area that you are walking in? Since, it's a possibility that noise is a twig being broken or snapped by a cougar or bear? You hear a low growl and your dogs ears are back, hackles heightened and is stiffening up while staring into the brush or ready to stare down a seal pup on the sandy beach? Since the risks are relevant everywhere including walking on our streets now, as well. The wildlife is breaking barriers between their natural boundaries of their scenery and ours. Whether it's another dog, wildlife, sealife or some other sort of threat-we must stay vigilant ourselves and know how to read the signs that are often present that lead up to the growling or snapping & biting becomes a possible outcome, when proper steps taken are missed or skipped.

Since statistics report that from 1990-2007 there were 28 identified fatalities from dog bite injuries. Circumstances show a wide variety of incidence where we could all learn by becoming aware of risks and dangers regarding our family pet dogs while benefiting from learning more about the Ladder of Aggression to reduce risks of injury and even fatality.

In Canada it's been reported that 1 to 2 deaths per year can account from dog attacks. Since, 1 death is too many. We can always strive towards zero deaths and this comes from awareness and education.

In conclusion, this article is for informational purposes only. I can only encourage people to do their own research and take an interest in their surroundings when they are out in their communities living life to the fullest with their favorite fur pal(s). After all, that's what we all want, to reach for the best life as to offer, but be smart even in the face of danger.

*For more information please see original back links below to articles and images used in today's featured content about the ladder of aggression and images used to support the facts.

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www.youtube.com/c/MakingTracksDogHikingAllDogsWelcome

www.pixabay.com

Pixabay for 4 images used in this article; Growling Dog Image, Hissing Cat and Dog Image, Seal pup and Dog Image & Labrador Retriever Image.

Dog & Cat
Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/Counselling-440107/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=873730">Ulrike Mai</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=873730">Pixabay</a>

dog/seal/beach
Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/Counselling-440107/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1944664">Ulrike Mai</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1944664">Pixabay</a>

Labrador Licking
Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/pwren-110158/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=226766">Petra Rentrop</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=226766">Pixabay</a>

dogs beach biting
Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/Counselling-440107/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=873730">Ulrike Mai</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=873730">Pixabay</a>

dog snapping biting growling
Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/freegr-40195/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=329280">freegr</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=329280">Pixabay</a>

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2387261/

Credit to Kendal Sheperd 2004 The Canine Ladder of Aggression

Article # 6 Dogs & Safety

Bringing awareness into all our inner dog circles

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