Naughty or Aggressive Behavior? Take a Look at the ‘Whole Dog’

Looking at the behavior as a symptom of a bigger or underlying issue, will help you focus your attention on the whole dog and start to find real solutions for you and your dog.

Here’s the thing: more socializing of your dog around other dogs and/or people she doesn’t know is the worst way to stop her growling, barking and lunging behavior.

“WHAT?”

I know, I know, everyone tells you, “You need to get her out more,” or “You didn’t socialize her enough.” Heck, your veterinarian has probably said this to you, your groomer, family, friends, and even people on the street. Even your college roommate has called to tell you this.

If socializing more were the answer to the aggression around dogs and people, then everyone who has socialized their dog would not be struggling with aggressive behavior, would they?

If socializing more were the magic answer it is made out to be, then your dog would be perfect because I know you’ve spent countless hours socializing her.

Yet, here you are, still being blamed and shamed, still being judged, still feeling embarrassed, frustrated and confused.

Did you know that 99% of dog aggression is based on fear? Meaning your dog is afraid of other dogs, people she doesn’t know, new environments, children, or all of these.

Let’s step back a minute and think of something that you are afraid of, snakes? Spiders? Lightening? Maybe birds? For me, it’s spiders.

In my mind, not all spiders are created equal. I can barely cope with small, light-in-color and slow-moving spiders. Outside spiders are easiest because I know they will not end up in my shoes or other personal spaces. But spiders that are in my house? They get my adrenaline going. I know it’s ridiculous, but it’s a fact.

So, now that you know I’m afraid of spiders imagine taking me to a spider museum or a spider petting zoo all to “get me over it.” Or to show me there is nothing to be afraid of.

No, thank you!

Over-exposure to the thing that frightens me does not help me “Get over it.”

It’s the same for your dog. Dragging enrolling in doggie daycare or taking her to Home Depot or the pet store is not helping her to feel better. It does not help her to feel safe. And it just keeps the adrenaline and cortisol surging through her system.

Looking at the whole dog is the only way to help your reactive, aggressive, naughty dog.

Remember, behavior is a symptom of an underlying issue. When we focus on stopping the annoying, frustrating and aggressive behavior, we miss the big picture and cause our dog more stress and confusion.

Here is a personal example. For the past several years, whenever I got sick, it developed into a cough. I have serious trouble breathing ... as in call 911 trouble. Every time I was transported to the ER, I was given an antianxiety medicine and told I was having a panic attack. I have no history of anxiety. I do not take any medication, and this “not breathing” situation only happens when I’m sick. I even discussed this ongoing situation with my primary care doctor, yet I never received a diagnosis.

Late last year, I was sick and coughing and was desperate to prevent a 911 call with an ER visit, so my partner, Amy, drove me to Convenient MD. I packed all the over-the-counter medication I was taking. The doctor asked me a lot of questions and dove into my complete medical history. She was the first person to really look at the whole me! Diagnosis: Viral onset asthma! She told me to stop all the over-the-counter medication. She explained it was the worst thing I could do!

I can’t tell you how great it felt to have a diagnosis with a plan.

It also felt scary as heck to stop doing what I had been doing, but I followed her directions and have been out of ambulances and the ER ever since.

In another example, I received an email about a 12-yearold dog who was growling at a young child in the home, but the dog was growling when the child was across the room and nowhere near her. After a vet visit, it was determined the dog had arthritis (undiagnosed until now) and was very uncomfortable. Pain is very common in aggressive, reactive dogs and can contribute to naughty behavior. As soon as the pain was under control, the dog’s behavior improved.

So, the next time you feel frustrated and confused a bout your dog’s behavior, be sure to ask, “Why is my dog behaving this way, and what happened to him?”

Looking at the behavior as a symptom of a bigger or underlying issue will help you focus your attention on the whole dog and start to find real solutions for you and your dog.

Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Denise Mazzola is the owner of Denise Mazzola’s Everything Dog. She has been working with people and training dogs for over 30 years. Everything Dog provides services to clients throughout the Monadnock Region of NH by offering private lessons, group classes, board and train, as well as day training services. Denise has been published in the trade journal, Chronicle of the Dog, and writes a monthly column for Everything Dog’s Monthly Newsletter. She also hosts a monthly “Ask the Trainer” radio show on WKBK. Denise lives in Keene with her life and business partner, Amy Willey CPDT-KA, and they share their home with two dogs. She has three adult daughters and two grandsons. For more information, visit www.everythingdognh. com. On youtube at Everything Dog.