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Aggression – what do you see?- Video and Discussion
This week we’re going to be digging into aggression and all the connecting components: fear, arousal, and stress.
There are lots and lots of emotional components that lead to a dog using aggressive behavior.
Let’s remember that most dogs use aggression (growling, snapping, barking, lunging) as a communication tool to request space.
Aggression is not a personality trait. Aggression is a behavior package with a function. Let’s take a look, in real time, at a pair of dogs and see what you might notice about the interaction.
Try to OBSERVE, not interpret, just yet. Observation gives us an opportunity to avoid using subjective labels and rather, focus on the type and number of signals the dogs are using to communicate.
Tomorrow, I’ll post a slo-mo labeled version that we can discuss further.
For now, jump in and list what you see! Our main focus is the lighter dog (red/white). What are her behaviors?
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14 Replies
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Seems like everyone is holding off being first to reply to this one, so I’ll jump back in and show the slow-mo version.
This red and white dog offers multiple signals to say “No!” to the rambunctious black and white dog. I think it speaks highly of her tolerance that she did not escalate more than she did, given his persistent and rude behavior.
What seems clearer to you now that you can see this in slow-motion?
1:33
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I saw quite a few lip licks. But, it was also good that at the end, they were able to regulate and both walk away and end the interaction?
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@Sandy I think credit goes to both dogs for how this ended. First, for the tan and white for not escalating as she made her firm point. And second, for the black and white dog for FINALLY getting the message and being willing to chill. Important skills on both sides!
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Wow- So much more to see in this slo mo. I learned so much from the annotated version. I could “get” the overall theme of the behaviors as generally signals for the other dog to “take a chill pill” but I didn’t see the individual behaviors like all the muzzle punches, head turns and agnostic puckers that paint that picture. So helpful to see the body language broken down.
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The slow motion version always is great to break it down. First pass I could not tell which dog to focus on, next pass I figured that out and saw the ears back and posture changes to indicate stress/ displeasure. Hard to see eyes in real time and muzzle punches were fast and hard to see until you pointed them out. Thanks for sharing this!
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Right? It’s so hard, @HollyJMartinez , to catch it all in real time. Video is our friend! The more practice you get, slowing video down and studying it, the easier it is to see these little signals in real time. My unconscious brain catches them quicker then my language brain. Sometimes, I just have “a feeling” that I should interrupt an interaction. Later, when I look at the video, I can often see why. Malcolm Gladwell calls these “Blink” moments. (Great book, by the way.) And you get there by watching thousands of dogs. You’re on your way!
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Do you think that shake-off at the end made it clear to the other dog (black and white)?
Like to end the interaction/play time.
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Great question, @RADS Shake offs are a super clue to “I was stressed; but now I’m okay.” Go back and look at that part of the video in slow mo again. Why do you think the tan and white dog had transitioned to feeling okay about the interaction when she was obviously working hard to increase space from the beginning?
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I see, leaning back, ears back, some drive by play bows, a shake off, moving the other way when black and white dog is coming towards her.
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Yeah, let’s talk about those “play bows”. What do you think she is signaling here, @Abbie ? Think about the real use of a play bow – it doesn’t always mean “I want to play.” But, instead, what could it mean? Hint: Play bow is one of many “meta-signals” – a conversation about the conversation. What do you think?
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Leaning back and away from black and white dog. Ears back, licking other dog’s nose, tail waving high and slowly, loosely. Shake off and hop backwards
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Good observations, @Dot !
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I know that dogs sometimes will get low like a play bow when they are getting ready for a predatory chase of a small mammal. Here I think it could be an appeasement signal showing the black and white dog that she doesn’t want to escalate. Does that make sense? Id love to hear your thoughts.
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Based on the dog’s body tension and other contributing signals as well as the entire context of her messaging, I think you nailed it:
I think it could be an appeasement signal showing the black and white dog that she doesn’t want to escalate. – Abbie D.
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