Canine Canine AggressioAggressionnThe perspective The perspective of a police dog of a police dog trainertrainer

Jerry Bradshaw, Jerry Bradshaw, Training Training DirectorDirectorTarheel Canine Tarheel Canine Training Inc.Training Inc.

Dog Bite StatisticsDog Bite Statistics Estimated 4.7 million dog bites per yearEstimated 4.7 million dog bites per year 800,000 of those dog bites require medical 800,000 of those dog bites require medical

attention. attention. 368,000 of those requiring medical attention 368,000 of those requiring medical attention

go to the ER for treatment.go to the ER for treatment. Children are the most frequent victims.Children are the most frequent victims. Dog Bites are second most common reason Dog Bites are second most common reason

for ER visits (Weiss & Friedman et al.)for ER visits (Weiss & Friedman et al.) From dogbitelaw.com a personal injury From dogbitelaw.com a personal injury

attorney website citing numerous US attorney website citing numerous US government studies.government studies.

Dog Bites in Dog Bites in PerspectivePerspective ER Visits in US (2002) = 110.2 Million for all reasonsER Visits in US (2002) = 110.2 Million for all reasons

8,482,000 visits for falls.8,482,000 visits for falls. 4,336,000 visits for car accidents.4,336,000 visits for car accidents. 3,472,000 visits for being struck by something, or striking an object.3,472,000 visits for being struck by something, or striking an object. 1,837,000 visits for adverse effects of medical treatment.1,837,000 visits for adverse effects of medical treatment. 1,773,168 visits for overexertion. 1,773,168 visits for overexertion. 450,000 visits for bicycle, non-traffic, accidents.450,000 visits for bicycle, non-traffic, accidents. 438,000 visits for getting caught in or between objects (getting stuck).438,000 visits for getting caught in or between objects (getting stuck). 368,000 visits for dog bites.368,000 visits for dog bites. The statistic that dog bites are the second most frequent visit to ERs is a false statistic based on a table The statistic that dog bites are the second most frequent visit to ERs is a false statistic based on a table

quoted from a study listing “selected” reasons for visits to the ER. In the most recent CDC study of hospital quoted from a study listing “selected” reasons for visits to the ER. In the most recent CDC study of hospital ERs it didn’t even make the list of categories.ERs it didn’t even make the list of categories.

The probability of an individual getting a disabling injury at work = .012The probability of an individual getting a disabling injury at work = .012 The probability of visiting the ER for a skateboarding/scooter accident = .002The probability of visiting the ER for a skateboarding/scooter accident = .002 The probability of an individual in the US getting bit by a dog is roughly = .016 – That is any dog bite of any The probability of an individual in the US getting bit by a dog is roughly = .016 – That is any dog bite of any

severity, whether needing medical attention or not!severity, whether needing medical attention or not! The probability of going to the ER for a dog bite = .001The probability of going to the ER for a dog bite = .001 The probability of dying from a dog bite = .0000000098The probability of dying from a dog bite = .0000000098 Children are the most frequent victims in almost all injury (and accidental death) categories, especially sports Children are the most frequent victims in almost all injury (and accidental death) categories, especially sports

& recreational activities (natural selection). & recreational activities (natural selection). The probability a doctor in the US is a phony posing as a doctor = .02, roughly equal to the probability of The probability a doctor in the US is a phony posing as a doctor = .02, roughly equal to the probability of

getting bit by a dog whether needing medical attention or not.getting bit by a dog whether needing medical attention or not.

Do we have a dog bite Do we have a dog bite “epidemic”?“epidemic”? The CDC says we do. Because every year the percentage of dog bites causing The CDC says we do. Because every year the percentage of dog bites causing

injury goes up while the relative populations of dogs and humans stays injury goes up while the relative populations of dogs and humans stays constant. So dogs must be getting “more prone to bite.”constant. So dogs must be getting “more prone to bite.”

The CDC is there to control medical “epidemics” so they are self-interested in The CDC is there to control medical “epidemics” so they are self-interested in calling attention to anything that is a public health threat. Biggest public calling attention to anything that is a public health threat. Biggest public health threat is getting out of bed.health threat is getting out of bed.

We have a society that is becoming more urbanized and suburbanized – thus We have a society that is becoming more urbanized and suburbanized – thus dogs and people come into more contact, more often – hence the increase in dogs and people come into more contact, more often – hence the increase in the percentage of dog bites.the percentage of dog bites.

We have better reporting mechanisms to track injuries.We have better reporting mechanisms to track injuries. We have a media culture that blows every risk in society out of proportion to We have a media culture that blows every risk in society out of proportion to

sell commercials, web site visits, and newspapers.sell commercials, web site visits, and newspapers. We have a litigious society that blows everything out of proportion, and We have a litigious society that blows everything out of proportion, and

encourages people to sue over nothing, in order to “get paid.” encourages people to sue over nothing, in order to “get paid.” People have turned into big babies!People have turned into big babies!

Information overload, poor statistical interpretation, and media sensations Information overload, poor statistical interpretation, and media sensations cause us to only take notice of the most heinous things in society – like a dog cause us to only take notice of the most heinous things in society – like a dog mauling someone, a terrorist attack, a building collapse – because they are mauling someone, a terrorist attack, a building collapse – because they are dramatic!dramatic!

Cognitive BiasesCognitive Biases Availability Heuristic & Zero-risk bias.Availability Heuristic & Zero-risk bias. A “Heuristic” is a rule of thumb used to fashion A “Heuristic” is a rule of thumb used to fashion

a method of thinking about things.a method of thinking about things. Availability HeuristicAvailability Heuristic - is a cognitive bias which - is a cognitive bias which

causes people to base their prediction of the causes people to base their prediction of the likelihood of an event on the vividness and likelihood of an event on the vividness and emotional impact of the event, rather than on emotional impact of the event, rather than on probability.probability.

Zero-risk bias - preference for reducing a small Zero-risk bias - preference for reducing a small risk to zero over a greater reduction in a larger risk to zero over a greater reduction in a larger risk. E.g. if we ban dogs, we’d accomplish risk. E.g. if we ban dogs, we’d accomplish something!!something!!

Back to Dog Back to Dog BitesBitesDo you know how many Do you know how many assaults, burglaries, assaults, burglaries, carjackings, and home carjackings, and home invasions were prevented invasions were prevented by the mere presence of by the mere presence of dogs in 2006?dogs in 2006?

Back to Dog BitesBack to Dog Bites Do you know how many assaults, Do you know how many assaults,

burglaries, carjackings, and home burglaries, carjackings, and home invasions were prevented by the mere invasions were prevented by the mere presence of dogs in 2006?presence of dogs in 2006?

Neither do I, because you cannot keep Neither do I, because you cannot keep statistics on events that do not occur.statistics on events that do not occur.

We do know that criminals themselves We do know that criminals themselves tell authorities they pass on potential tell authorities they pass on potential victims to avoid dogs (probably because victims to avoid dogs (probably because they believe the dog bite statistics!)they believe the dog bite statistics!)

Agenda: What we Agenda: What we need.need. Realize: The truth doesn’t matter as long as the Realize: The truth doesn’t matter as long as the

perception holds sway.perception holds sway. Education – of trainers & clients about aggression.Education – of trainers & clients about aggression. Prevention of aggression from puppy hood.Prevention of aggression from puppy hood. Dog Trainers need to stop advertising that every Dog Trainers need to stop advertising that every

dog can be rehabilitated from all aggression dog can be rehabilitated from all aggression problems – leaving recidivistic & truly dangerous problems – leaving recidivistic & truly dangerous animals among the public.animals among the public.

www.illfixanydogproblem100percentofthetime.cowww.illfixanydogproblem100percentofthetime.comm

Cooperation is needed.Cooperation is needed. Political Action.Political Action. Fewer lawyers.Fewer lawyers.

What is the What is the genesis of genesis of AggressionAggression??

AggressionAggression….….Is a natural behavior.Is a natural behavior.

Is a combination of the Is a combination of the dog’s genetic makeup and dog’s genetic makeup and conditioning.conditioning.

Is scary to people who Is scary to people who have never seen it up have never seen it up close.close.

Presents itself for a variety Presents itself for a variety of reasons, which we must of reasons, which we must infer from observing infer from observing behaviors. Not always so behaviors. Not always so easy to do.easy to do.

Behavioral Behavioral Classifications of Classifications of Canine AggressionCanine Aggression DisplacementDisplacement

    DominanceDominance

    Fear-ElicitedFear-Elicited

    Intra-MaleIntra-Male

    Intra-SpeciesIntra-Species

    MaternalMaternal

    Object PossessiveObject Possessive

    Pain-ElicitedPain-Elicited

    PredatoryPredatory

    TerritorialTerritorial Idiopathic (my addition).Idiopathic (my addition).

    From the American Dog Trainer’s Network website .From the American Dog Trainer’s Network website .

Drive Theory of Drive Theory of AggressionAggression Prey Drive (trigger is movement)Prey Drive (trigger is movement) Defense Drive (threat is trigger)Defense Drive (threat is trigger) Social Drive (infringement of social Social Drive (infringement of social

position is the trigger)position is the trigger) ““Fight Drive*” (learned enjoyment of Fight Drive*” (learned enjoyment of

combat and is a trained response).combat and is a trained response). Drives are inherent, genetically hard Drives are inherent, genetically hard

wired, behavioral responses to certain wired, behavioral responses to certain stimuli (triggers).stimuli (triggers).

Treating Aggression Treating Aggression Problems – key IssuesProblems – key Issues Severity of Aggression: The bite Severity of Aggression: The bite

Inhibition Scale.Inhibition Scale. Client Expectations: Are you willing to Client Expectations: Are you willing to

get bit? Are you responsible not to do get bit? Are you responsible not to do stupid stuff?stupid stuff?

Stick with cases that are likely “non-Stick with cases that are likely “non-catastrophic.” Some dogs, in some catastrophic.” Some dogs, in some situations, should be put down if there situations, should be put down if there is any risk of severe damage.is any risk of severe damage.

Kids in the house? Be careful.Kids in the house? Be careful.

Getting to SuccessGetting to Success

The success of treating aggression cases The success of treating aggression cases is a function of: is a function of:

1.1. Level of bite inhibitionLevel of bite inhibition2.2. Malleability of the dog Malleability of the dog 3.3. Arriving at the proper diagnosisArriving at the proper diagnosis4.4. Skill of the trainer & Quality Training Skill of the trainer & Quality Training

PlanPlan5.5. Willingness of the client to work on the Willingness of the client to work on the

problem & not make critical mistakes.problem & not make critical mistakes.

Trainer Responses to Trainer Responses to Canine Aggression.Canine Aggression. Overextension of dominance Overextension of dominance

theory. The Cesar Milan Effect.theory. The Cesar Milan Effect. Results in positive punishment Results in positive punishment

which can be counter-productive which can be counter-productive in many cases, especially fear-in many cases, especially fear-based aggression.based aggression.

Dominance CycleDominance Cycle

Behavior ModificationBehavior Modification Remove the StimulusRemove the Stimulus Punish the Behavior (-P or +P)Punish the Behavior (-P or +P) Counter ConditionCounter Condition

Counter ConditioningCounter Conditioning Counter-Conditioning involves taking Counter-Conditioning involves taking

an existing behavioral response, and in an existing behavioral response, and in the presence of the eliciting stimulus, the presence of the eliciting stimulus, conditioning an alternative conditioning an alternative opposite/neutral response.opposite/neutral response.

Example: Fear AggressionExample: Fear Aggression Proximity Stranger (stimulus) -> Proximity Stranger (stimulus) ->

Aggression (response)-> Withdrawal Aggression (response)-> Withdrawal (reinforcement)(reinforcement)

Methods for Counter Methods for Counter ConditioningConditioning Re-direct the BehaviorRe-direct the Behavior Train Mutually Exclusive BehaviorsTrain Mutually Exclusive Behaviors Systematically DesensitizeSystematically Desensitize

In order to systematically desensitize the In order to systematically desensitize the behavior we must be able to identify and behavior we must be able to identify and control the stimulus, as well as identify control the stimulus, as well as identify the threshold at which the behavior is the threshold at which the behavior is elicited in the presence of the stimulus.elicited in the presence of the stimulus.

Trained BehaviorsTrained Behaviors

Training “Dogs to Training “Dogs to Bite”Bite”Protection Sport Dogs.Protection Sport Dogs.Personal Protection Personal Protection Dogs.Dogs.

Police Patrol Dogs.Police Patrol Dogs.

EducationEducation As an Industry be proactive – Counter the bull****!As an Industry be proactive – Counter the bull****! Aggression is a natural behavior. Learn about it, and how to Aggression is a natural behavior. Learn about it, and how to

deal with it appropriately, and educate your clients deal with it appropriately, and educate your clients appropriately.appropriately.

Children (and adults) must learn how to behave properly Children (and adults) must learn how to behave properly around dogs – who came up with the back of the hand to the around dogs – who came up with the back of the hand to the muzzle crap?muzzle crap?

Early socialization & training are critical – 3 new places and Early socialization & training are critical – 3 new places and people a day from 8 weeks old.people a day from 8 weeks old.

Accountability of individual owners for individual dog Accountability of individual owners for individual dog behavior.behavior.

Dispel myths surrounding protection trained dogs.Dispel myths surrounding protection trained dogs. Educate owners who have genetically predisposed breeds, Educate owners who have genetically predisposed breeds,

or protection trained dogs regarding their increased or protection trained dogs regarding their increased responsibilities.responsibilities.

Questions?Questions?

Tarheel CanineTarheel Canine Tarheel Canine has 3 full-time police K9 instructors, 2 full Tarheel Canine has 3 full-time police K9 instructors, 2 full

time pet obedience trainers, 2 full time kennel staff, and an time pet obedience trainers, 2 full time kennel staff, and an office manager.office manager.

Tarheel Canine Services: pet obedience program (over 25 Tarheel Canine Services: pet obedience program (over 25 dogs per month average), a school for dog trainers (private dogs per month average), a school for dog trainers (private obedience, police K9 instructors), police K9 programs in the obedience, police K9 instructors), police K9 programs in the areas of narcotics, explosives, patrol, SAR (wilderness, areas of narcotics, explosives, patrol, SAR (wilderness, trailing, cadaver), and sport programs geared toward PSA. trailing, cadaver), and sport programs geared toward PSA. Seminars in all areas of training can be arranged by Seminars in all areas of training can be arranged by contacting Jerry Bradshaw at 800-766-9032.contacting Jerry Bradshaw at 800-766-9032.

www.tarheelcanine.comwww.tarheelcanine.com www.psak9.comwww.psak9.com www.ntpda.comwww.ntpda.com

PublicationsPublications Articles available on Articles available on

www.tarheelcanine.comwww.tarheelcanine.com Available November 1, 2006: Available November 1, 2006:

Bradshaw, Jerry. Bradshaw, Jerry. Controlled Aggression Controlled Aggression in Theory & Practice:in Theory & Practice: A manual for A manual for Police Canine & Protection DogsPolice Canine & Protection Dogs. © . © 2006. All Rights Reserved.2006. All Rights Reserved.

Pre-order: 1-800-766-9032Pre-order: 1-800-766-9032