These are notes I got from a seminar on positive training. While Aussies are not immune from aggressoin, the fact that this page is here is in no way saying that Aussies are aggressive.

There are three types of dog agression:

1) Defensive aggresion

2) Offensive Aggression

3) Predatory Agression

Defensive aggression is powerful, emotional, and the most dangerous, it is fear and survival based.

Could be called avoidance agression. Relief is the reward, and it can be addictive

Offensive Agression is commonly called dominance aggression. It is used to gain advantage in sex, society, or territory. It is highly emotional and rewarding.

Predatory agression is cold blooded and calm. Food is the reward.

Dog Agression in a group environment: Humans interfere with the animal's ability to communicate.A dog in a crowded space on a leash can feel more uncomfortable and will often aggress. If it works, the dog gets out of his space, he'll do it again. Relief can be addictive. If punished for growling and barking, he will suppress growling and barking, and may move directly to biting. If he is punished while he is aggressing at another dog, the other dog, as well as the rest of the

environment, will be strongly associated with the punishment.

Remember that punishment suppresses behavior.

Removal of the reward extinguishes behavior.

If the presence of other dogs can be made pleasurable instead of threatening, it will no longer be rewarding to aggress.

Sometimes mild agressin is contrued as cute (ie, puppies) if allowed to strengthen, it will NOT be cute.

Treatment:

1) Pair all non-aggressive behavior in the presence of other dogs with high reward.

2) Manage the class so the dog has enough space to be comfortable

a) if animal reacts, take it away, then relax and recognize dog is good

3)Be able to recognize precursors to aggression.

Be proactive rather than reactive

a)hackles b) growling c) ears up, tail dropped

d) slow to rise e) locked eyes f)crouching

g)rumbling sound from stomach

4) Stress loose leash and behaving calmly

5) Arrange free play opportunities when possible

6) Distract dog

a) redirect attention

b)give dog a behavior, praise for that, not stopping aggression

This essay on "Alpha Dog Boot Camp" was taken from a letter I received. This situation may sound familiar to you.

Number one, is he/she fixed?

Many people regard protectiveness as caution with making friends, not approaching from above and the side,etc. That is not protectiveness, that is fearful aggression.

>>I have had her since she was 6wks old-we fostered her before we could legally adopt. She has never been abused physically but I can never be sure who she will allow to pet her. It has only been the last year or so that I could hug her affectionately with both hands. She has turned on me and/or my now college age daughters on several occasions.

>>She's smart and listens perfectly well when she wants to and even picked up a pill bottle I dropped after surgery and brought it to me.<<

Ahh, there's the Aussie I know and love!

>>My dog is extremely headstrong, terrorizes the neighborhood whenever she escapes from the house or yard (but has never bitten man or beast(except family), just intimidates ). Seldom comes when called and knows this is not acceptable behavior and doesn't care. She will snap and growl at me in an attempt to be the Alpha but I never let her win and punish her by isolating her from the family or not letting her sleep in any of the the bedrooms.<<

Sounds like it is time for my alpha boot camp! You ready?

>>I have no problem speaking to her sharply at these times but she really doesn't hear me-its like the lights are on and nobodys home.<<

At this point, she does not care what you say, she's alpha dog, and that's why you have problems.

>>Several friends and relatives have told me to "get rid of her" one way or another. I always had German Shepherds as a child and never had behavior or trust issues. Is there any hope? <<

There may be, but it will be a hard road.

Okay. Number one. You understand the concept of Alpha well, so that's not a big concern of mine. Your dog is of the aggressive tendency, and she is also a dominant dog, seems like she always has been. The fact that she didn't let you hug her, or you can't approach her, great indicators of this.

What to do? You must take back your Alpha status. This problem tends to rear its ugly head at about 5 years of age (I'm trying to knock this into the skull of my friend who has a dominant akita with NO training). If she hasn't been fixed, that's step number one. It takes the drive of sex out of her, and it will not affect her personality, just her 'bitchiness.' Step number two, sign up for obedience classes. Ask your trainer if private lessons are available, one or two of these will do you and your dog more good than 8 weeks of training because you will be able to get her under control. Your dog is not good for a group class setting.

Now comes the slow alpha retraining. You said she can stand in the glass window. Forbid it. How? If she ignores you, slap a leash on her and pull her off. Praise when she does get off. Don't let her on beds or and place that is not the floor. Why? Because alpha dogs get some of their status from the height they assume (think Lions on the top of a rock overlooking the pride, or a king on a throne, same deal). She must always stay on the floor. And you are not to get on the floor. If you need to for some reason, don't let her see it. Put her in a room while you scrub the floor, etc.

Now onto food. You are going to make her want to do what you want. For this, you will use food. I'm talking GOOOOOOOD food. Roast beef, liver, eggs, cheese, whatever you can get your hands on. Don't let her have her own regular food until she begins to respond to the yummy stuff. Make her work for it, sit, stay, up, down, whatever. Slowly begin to not let her have her own food (the kind in the bowl) until she listens to you. Sometimes that might mean her not eating for a day. THis may sound rash, but that's the only way to teach her that anything she wants, she'll have to look to you for it.

Hugging is good. She doesn't let you hug her because that's a symbol of your dominance. You are going to hug her a lot! (Hard, isn't it?)

If she is allowed to go out a door before you, precede you up the stairs or down the hallway, have none of that now. She must FOLLOW you.

The ultimate goal is this: she will lay down and allow you to STAND over her, and touch her neck. This can take you a few months to a few weeks. Being that she is old, you may need to keep up this strict regime for a long time, maybe for her whole lifespan, but I think it is better than not having her at all.

She will probably welcome your newfound control, because it will be a relief not to be in charge (hey, barring money, do you really want to be the president of Microsoft? I'd get an ulcer!).

A link for further information