I was recently contacted by a young married couple who had just purchased their first home. They owned a very large, five-year-old male Rottweiler, Maverick, who melted when you stroked his head, and liked his back end scratched even more.
He was very friendly and social. I am always happy when I see social Rottweilers, because the more social a dog is with people, the less likely he is to bite. This dog was doing great PR for all Rotties.
The couple contacted me because even though Maverick had no history of aggression, their insurance company refused to provide coverage for their home because of Maverick’s breed. After paying on many bite claims against homeowners with aggressive dogs, the company decided they could save money by denying insurance to people who owned particular breeds of dogs.
I own and love Rottweilers. So while I understand why an insurance company would initiate such a policy, I know it unfairly targets many Rotties and other so-called “aggressive” dogs who are well-trained, gentle, and wouldn’t harm a fly.
Fortunately, as a compromise, the company started offering insurance to people who could prove their dogs were well behaved. This is where The American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen test comes in. I was asked to use this tool to evaluate Maverick’s behavior so these folks could be insured.
Over two million people are bitten by dogs every year in the U.S. alone — only half of which are reported. Insurance companies pay $340,000,000 on claims annually; 800,000 people are actually injured, half of them children. Currently, one-third of all homeowners’ claims are dog bite related, and hence insurance companies have now circulated a “Bad Breed” list. If you own one of the following breeds, there is a possibility you may not be eligible for homeowners insurance: Akita, Alaskan Malamute, American Staffordshire Terrier, Chow Chow, Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane, Miniature Pinscher, Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Siberian Husky, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Wolf hybrids. And this list is anticipated to get longer!
As a dog trainer, I see aggression as one of the most serious and dangerous dog behavior problems. Fortunately, it can be prevented, no matter the breed, if you understand the factors that promote the development of aggressive behavior.
Aggression can often be traced to a puppy’s experiences early in life. If at fourteen weeks your puppy has not been socialized, he may never be comfortable or trustworthy around people or dogs. As a dog owner, you must get your puppy out into the real world as soon as possible, safely exposing him to friendly people, friendly dogs, and new environments.
This conflicts with the advice of many veterinarians, which is to wait until your puppy is fully immunized before taking him out in public. A better idea may be to put your puppy in a shopping cart and wheel him around a pet store while strangers give him treats. Take him to a friend’s home for a play date. A puppy class is excellent for socialization, since all shot records are checked before puppies meet each other. These are safe ways to get your puppy out while minimizing his exposure to harmful viruses and germs.
Genetics and heredity also influence aggression. Security breeds like the Rottweiler are bred to be hardy, protective, assertive, and more “take charge” than lap dogs, such as a Shih Tzu. Perhaps this is why they are on the “Bad Breed” list. Jack Russell Terriers were originally bred for rodent killing and can be quite scrappy and willful. Although these traits are desirable when you have a working dog, they can be undesirable in a family pet. Left without proper guidance and training, these traits can get your dog into trouble.
Another major factor is the environment. Adverse conditions such as being left on a tether in front of a home or in the back yard, teasing by children, lack of socialization, inappropriate punishment, intimidation or attacks from other dogs, and excessive indulgence by owners can all contribute to aggressiveness in your dog.
Poor leadership will confuse a dog about his social standing, which also can lead to aggressive behavior. Dogs don’t make good decisions in a human environment, so it’s best not to put them in a position of having to make any. It is generally believed that pet dogs see your family as a pack, and in a pack there is a ranking order. If you as the dog’s guide are not consistent in providing confident direction, your dog may perceive you as an unreliable pack leader and try to take charge.
Maverick’s owners provided him with proper socialization as a young pup and excellent leadership throughout his life, which resulted in his good manners. When I performed the Canine Good Citizen test with Maverick, he passed with flying colors, and now he and the couple live happily in their new home.
In short, there are no “bad” breeds, despite the policies of insurance companies, but there are some “bad” dogs as well as “bad” owners. Give your dog what he needs and he will be a happy, gentle, and well-behaved member of canine and human society.
Dawna Caldwell of Happy Tails to You Dog Training is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer who specializes in aggression issues. She recently started a “Rehab for Raging Rovers” group class, with Lu Shoberg of Baymont Dog Training, for dogs who are aggressive with other dogs. Dawna also owns Canine Corral Dog Daycare in San Jose. For more info, visit www.HappyTailsToYouDogTraining.com or www.CanineCorralDogDaycare.com. She can be reached at 408-267-7606.
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