Study: Dogs React To Aggression With Aggression

This research has found that people using confrontational training methods, inadvertently encourage their dogs to respond with increasingly aggressive behavior.

Summary By: Faunalytics | This is a summary of an external study | Published: March 24, 2009

Image by Unsplash user Nick Mundackal

According to a year-long research study of dog owners conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that dog owners who use confrontational training methods are encouraging those dogs to reciprocate with their own aggression.

The study is based on surveys completed by 140 dog owners; it found that 43% of dog owners hit or kick their dog for undesirable behavior, while 41% growl at their dog. Another 39% physically force the release of an item from the dogs mouth, 31% “alpha roll” the dog, 30% stare down the dog, and 26% grab the dog by the jowls and shake the dog.

This study clearly showed that dogs respond to aggressive tactics with increasingly aggressive behavior. On the other hand, they very rarely respond aggressively when the training techniques are modified to include non-aversive or neutral methods, such as additional exercise or rewards.

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Author: Faunalytics

Faunalytics is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to helping animals by providing useful information to advocates to help them increase their impact.