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Aggressive DogsJackie Drakeford |
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Max the Labrador
came to the village in which he now lives several years ago. Upon his
arrival Max set about the local dog population. Within less than a
fortnight he had bitten eight dogs, including a Crufts winner that was still
on its lead, and been bested a few times himself. His owner had two
visits from the dog warden and one from the police. The village closed
ranks as villages do, and Max became Public Enemy Number One. It wasn't
the best of starts.
Several behaviourists came out to help Maz's owner, and it is no surprise that Max lost his testicles and very nearly his life. They all agreed that Max was dominant, but nobody saw that he was actually fearful. His owner had been through a nasty divorce, he had moved to a new area and he saw his task to be protecting his owner - and therefore himself - from further hurt, which meant getting his bite in first. Castration and old-style dominance training only made him even more insecure and thus even more aggressive. Not one of the behaviourists had noticed Max's big secret either - he was no Labrador. Though his owner boasted of his pedigree, it was evident that his dam had not respected it, for Max, in appearance and body language, revealed that he was part Collie, if you only had eyes to see. This explained a lot.
The years have mellowed Max, who is now fat and grey, but the most important change in his personality was caused by his owners increasing happiness. She settled into the village, remarried and became more secure, and so he no longer felt he needed to defend her so vigorously. Max's problems were man-made, but his take on solving them was purely canine, for dogs can only act like dogs.
Several behaviourists came out to help Maz's owner, and it is no surprise that Max lost his testicles and very nearly his life. They all agreed that Max was dominant, but nobody saw that he was actually fearful. His owner had been through a nasty divorce, he had moved to a new area and he saw his task to be protecting his owner - and therefore himself - from further hurt, which meant getting his bite in first. Castration and old-style dominance training only made him even more insecure and thus even more aggressive. Not one of the behaviourists had noticed Max's big secret either - he was no Labrador. Though his owner boasted of his pedigree, it was evident that his dam had not respected it, for Max, in appearance and body language, revealed that he was part Collie, if you only had eyes to see. This explained a lot.
The years have mellowed Max, who is now fat and grey, but the most important change in his personality was caused by his owners increasing happiness. She settled into the village, remarried and became more secure, and so he no longer felt he needed to defend her so vigorously. Max's problems were man-made, but his take on solving them was purely canine, for dogs can only act like dogs.
reprinted with kind permission from Alastair Balmain
Deputy Editor:Shooting Times & Country Magazine
Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street SE1 0SU
Tel: 020 3148 4750
Deputy Editor:Shooting Times & Country Magazine
Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street SE1 0SU
Tel: 020 3148 4750