Crazylittlemaisey
Well-Known Member
Can anyone advise me of good books?
Thanks ☺️
Thanks ☺️
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Books on fear aggression/aggression in dogs
- Thread starter Crazylittlemaisey
- Start date
planete
Well-Known Member
Brenda Aloff, "Agression in Dogs". It is a meaty book, more of a textbook than a pet owner' s 'how to' and takes some digesting, but worth it if you really need to work with an aggressive dog. Should be about £20.00 2nd hand.
Crazylittlemaisey
Well-Known Member
Thank you planete, I'm going to investigate now... ☺️
Crazylittlemaisey
Well-Known Member
That looks great, thank you. I've ordered it!
planete
Well-Known Member
Sorry. I now feel I should have asked you some questions before replying. I am a bit worried about your possible reasons for wanting a book on aggression. You are probably a very experienced dog person wishing to deepen your knowledge, but just in case you are not I feel I should emphasise that no book will enable a person to work safely with an aggressive dog without a long background in dog handling and dog training. Timing and reading body language cannot be learnt from a book.
Crazylittlemaisey
Well-Known Member
No problem at all.
My situation is I have over 20 years experience with my own dogs, including a couple of aggressive dogs (only to other dogs). I've been involved on and off in various types of dog training and have always been fascinated in dog behaviour.
I have a little collie bitch who ive owned for three years who has always suffered with nervous aggression. Whilst she has improved greatly with building confidence, being shown the ropes by my old dogs and life experience, she still lunges at other dogs ONLY when she's on the lead as she feels intimidated. I want to help her build that last bit of confidence.
Sadly, so many trainers I've come across over the years use less than positive techniques and she is just too sensitive to respond to this.
In terms of my interest, learning more on the modern techniques (through books, courses and observation) I realise how negative some of the ways I've been taught to train my dogs (not nasty but Probably pushy, confusing and generic) and it makes me want to improve myself as a dog owner 🐾
My situation is I have over 20 years experience with my own dogs, including a couple of aggressive dogs (only to other dogs). I've been involved on and off in various types of dog training and have always been fascinated in dog behaviour.
I have a little collie bitch who ive owned for three years who has always suffered with nervous aggression. Whilst she has improved greatly with building confidence, being shown the ropes by my old dogs and life experience, she still lunges at other dogs ONLY when she's on the lead as she feels intimidated. I want to help her build that last bit of confidence.
Sadly, so many trainers I've come across over the years use less than positive techniques and she is just too sensitive to respond to this.
In terms of my interest, learning more on the modern techniques (through books, courses and observation) I realise how negative some of the ways I've been taught to train my dogs (not nasty but Probably pushy, confusing and generic) and it makes me want to improve myself as a dog owner 🐾
Alec Swan
...
planete, such a sensible post. ^^^^
Whilst not wishing to preempt the thoughts of those with experience, 'aggression' in dogs comes in many forms, and each form has differing and sometimes contradictory aspects.
There are if you like and as I see it, three different branches of aggression. The first and perhaps the most easily dealt with is the dog which guards it's possessions (us) or it's food or toys or whatever. With these dogs we can mostly reason by removing the threat and then creating a control level whereby the dog accepts our position as pack leader. Then there are those which having pain inflicted, often by vets, or by owners/handlers and they are defensive, and then the most difficult to deal with, are those who will react through fear. With the previous aspects, then all so often, 'control' is the answer but with fear aggression, control needs to be established, but by a separate route.
Fear-aggressive dogs are defending themselves and it's mostly because of a breakdown in human-canine trust. Reestablishing trust with a dog, once it's been lost, isn't easy. There are those dogs which are fear-aggressive and it's linked to their genetics, how do we deal with them? Another subject perhaps!
Dogs generally fit in to categories (sort of!) and the dog which is fear-aggresive is often the most complex. It is SUCH a complex problem, and with differing influences, that I would by most surprised if the average owner can effectively deal with them. There will for certain be those who are able to see beyond what's obvious, but they will be few and far between.
I haven't read the work by Brenda Aloff, but from what planete says, it sounds a bit like a work which is for those who already have a grounding and may wish to consider the thoughts of others. Tomes tend to be waisted on the tyro, but possibly not, it depends on the person.
I'm not attaching negatives to this thread, intentionally, but it's a complex subject and not for those who are feint of heart! It's also probably not really a subject for any level of depth, when the dog itself can't be assessed, assuming that the OP has such a dog. If you have, OP, then there may well be progress which can be made, and I wish you well.
Alec.
ETS, whilst choosing my words carefully OP, I see that you've responded. It all needs a bit of thought, and considering your approach and experience, perhaps the book which has been recommended will serve you well. If you can track down a copy, i'd be interested to hear what you think of it.
Whilst not wishing to preempt the thoughts of those with experience, 'aggression' in dogs comes in many forms, and each form has differing and sometimes contradictory aspects.
There are if you like and as I see it, three different branches of aggression. The first and perhaps the most easily dealt with is the dog which guards it's possessions (us) or it's food or toys or whatever. With these dogs we can mostly reason by removing the threat and then creating a control level whereby the dog accepts our position as pack leader. Then there are those which having pain inflicted, often by vets, or by owners/handlers and they are defensive, and then the most difficult to deal with, are those who will react through fear. With the previous aspects, then all so often, 'control' is the answer but with fear aggression, control needs to be established, but by a separate route.
Fear-aggressive dogs are defending themselves and it's mostly because of a breakdown in human-canine trust. Reestablishing trust with a dog, once it's been lost, isn't easy. There are those dogs which are fear-aggressive and it's linked to their genetics, how do we deal with them? Another subject perhaps!
Dogs generally fit in to categories (sort of!) and the dog which is fear-aggresive is often the most complex. It is SUCH a complex problem, and with differing influences, that I would by most surprised if the average owner can effectively deal with them. There will for certain be those who are able to see beyond what's obvious, but they will be few and far between.
I haven't read the work by Brenda Aloff, but from what planete says, it sounds a bit like a work which is for those who already have a grounding and may wish to consider the thoughts of others. Tomes tend to be waisted on the tyro, but possibly not, it depends on the person.
I'm not attaching negatives to this thread, intentionally, but it's a complex subject and not for those who are feint of heart! It's also probably not really a subject for any level of depth, when the dog itself can't be assessed, assuming that the OP has such a dog. If you have, OP, then there may well be progress which can be made, and I wish you well.
Alec.
ETS, whilst choosing my words carefully OP, I see that you've responded. It all needs a bit of thought, and considering your approach and experience, perhaps the book which has been recommended will serve you well. If you can track down a copy, i'd be interested to hear what you think of it.
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2Greys
Well-Known Member
Ive been reading Grisha Stewart's Behavior Adjustment Training book, can read more about it here to see if it would be helpful http://empoweredanimals.com/
My dog's reactive to unknown dogs. I've seen a behaviourist/trainer with him, initially to have an expert assess what was going on & has been very helpful. The techniques she taught us were similar to those in BAT book.
My dog's reactive to unknown dogs. I've seen a behaviourist/trainer with him, initially to have an expert assess what was going on & has been very helpful. The techniques she taught us were similar to those in BAT book.
planete
Well-Known Member
Brenda Aloff goes into the different causes of aggression and the techniques needed to deal with each one. She seems to broadly agree with you Alec but I read the book a couple of years ago and would have to revisit it to refresh my (failing) memory.