Marianne Barrett wrote 05/02/2006 10:02 PM Dominant vs. Handler Aggressive #105639 - 05/02/2006 10:02 PM
Marianne Barrett Webboard User Reg: 06-27-2005 Posts: 8 Loc: Offline	I'm wondering what some opinions are on the difference between a dominant dog and a handler agressive dog. Can a dog be dominant without being handler aggressive? I've noticed that the two terms are often used interchangably, both here and anywhere else where I inquiry about handling a dominant dog. My dog can definantly be dominant, but I don't know if he could become handler-aggressive... maybe it's because we have a strong bond, maybe it's the reaction I see immediately following any display of dominance. If he growls at me I will correct him, and he doesn't seem ready for a fight. He doesn't break down at the correction either, but just seems to go on, as if nothing happened (reminds me of when my husband says something stupid <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> ). Maybe I'm just too analytical.
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Connie Sutherland wrote 05/02/2006 10:22 PM Re: Dominant vs. Handler Aggressive [Re: Marianne Barrett ] #105640 - 05/02/2006 10:22 PM
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005 Posts: 31571 Loc: North-Central coast of California Offline	Quote: ......Can a dog be dominant without being handler aggressive?....I've noticed that the two terms are often used interchangably, both here and anywhere else where I inquiry about handling a dominant dog. ... Do you have an example of the terms being used interchangeably here? I have not seen/read that. Dominance and aggression (handler-aggresseion or *any* aggression) are not interchangeable terms. JMO.
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Candi Campbell wrote 05/03/2006 11:27 AM Re: Dominant vs. Handler Aggressive [Re: Connie Sutherland ] #105641 - 05/03/2006 11:27 AM
Candi Campbell Webboard User Reg: 02-06-2006 Posts: 696 Loc: San Francisco, CA Offline	Connie's right, not all dominant dogs will aggress & not all aggressive dogs will display handler-aggro -- These are separate traits & behaviors which may also be shown by sharp/shy fear-biters that are "nerve bags"... How anyone can live without a dog is beyond me...
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Matthew Grubb wrote 05/03/2006 11:45 PM Re: Dominant vs. Handler Aggressive [Re: Candi Campbell ] #105642 - 05/03/2006 11:45 PM
Matthew Grubb Webboard User Reg: 09-27-2002 Posts: 637 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa. Offline	Quote: Connie's right, not all dominant dogs will aggress & not all aggressive dogs will display handler-aggro -- These are separate traits & behaviors which may also be shown by sharp/shy fear-biters that are "nerve bags"... Just as dominance and handler aggression are not interchangeable, neither are sharpness and shyness. Sharpness does not automatically equate to fear biting or make a dog a nerve bag either. http://www.NAPWDA.com
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jason w penwell wrote 05/04/2006 02:10 AM Re: Dominant vs. Handler Aggressive [Re: Marianne Barrett ] #105643 - 05/04/2006 02:10 AM
jason w penwell Webboard User Reg: 11-10-2005 Posts: 138 Loc: italy Offline	they are right just cause a dog is dom doesn't mean it will handler agg. however you did say your dog growls at you? becareful. he may get a hair up his butt one day and decide to challenge you. make sure you always keep him in check and don't let him get away with anything or roles could easily switch Jason Penwell USAF Fire Protection
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Candi Campbell wrote 05/04/2006 11:55 AM Hello Patrolman... [Re: Matthew Grubb ] #105644 - 05/04/2006 11:55 AM
Candi Campbell Webboard User Reg: 02-06-2006 Posts: 696 Loc: San Francisco, CA Offline	Sharp/shy is all one term, actually, it means more or less the same thing as fear-biter -- "Nerve bags" that DO aggress (often inappropriately) attack because they're insecure & scared, not because they're angry & dominant... Obviously, not all sharp dogs are also shy & not all dogs who aggress are also afraid (that goes without saying) but all sharp/shy fear-biters are unstable "nerve bags" with weak temperaments -- The fact that some other shy, fearful & nervous dogs may never attack under any circumstances, just means they're not sharp & won't bite when provoked <:-) How anyone can live without a dog is beyond me...
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Judy Troiano wrote 05/04/2006 02:24 PM Re: Dominant vs. Handler Aggressive [Re: Marianne Barrett ] #105645 - 05/04/2006 02:24 PM
Judy Troiano Webboard User Reg: 09-22-2005 Posts: 979 Loc: New Jersey Offline	Quote: He doesn't break down at the correction either, but just seems to go on, as if nothing happened (reminds me of when my husband says something stupid <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> ). Marianne, seriously, that was just too funny <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> !
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Matthew Grubb wrote 05/05/2006 12:02 AM Re: Hello Patrolman... [Re: Candi Campbell ] #105646 - 05/05/2006 12:02 AM
Matthew Grubb Webboard User Reg: 09-27-2002 Posts: 637 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa. Offline	Quote: Sharp/shy is all one term, actually, it means more or less the same thing as fear-biter -- "Nerve bags" that DO aggress On of the best definitions of sharpness I have seen is “The amount of stimulus required to create an aggressive response.” Sharpness in a young dog (pup) can manifest itself as shyness but this will change as the dog matures and gains training experience and confidence. I will agree that too much sharpness in a dog can result in a fear biter…. However a degree of sharpness is a very desirable trait in a service dog. In fact, every really outstanding dog I’ve had the pleasure of working with in the last 12 years has had that sparkle of sharpness to him. http://www.NAPWDA.com
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John E. Araman wrote 05/05/2006 03:53 AM Re: Hello Patrolman... [Re: Matthew Grubb ] #105647 - 05/05/2006 03:53 AM
John E. Araman Webboard User Reg: 02-02-2005 Posts: 220 Loc: Offline	Quote: However a degree of sharpness is a very desirable trait in a service dog. I totally agree, a degree of sharpness is what's makes a service dog/protection dog what it is.. This is the "gut instinct" to pay attention and be careful.  Quote: Sharp/shy is all one term, actually, it means more or less the same thing as fear-biter -- "Nerve bags" that DO aggress I have to disagree with bagging both Sharp/Shy as one term. I consider a shy dog one that would back away if something "new" ie. a stranger approaching in the distance. Whereas a sharp dog would probably bark and be on the lookout and even pull towards the stranger. (Not even necessarily getting the hair on the back up.) As Matthew already stated, too much Sharpness can result in a fear biter. A dog that doesn't have any sharpness (very clear minded dogs) usually doesn't make good service/protection dogs.. These dogs usually do better sportwork as opposed to service work. You can ,however, use them as guard dogs, *IF* you add a nervy dog to wake him up. Just my 2 cents.
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Candi Campbell wrote 05/05/2006 12:27 PM Sorry but U don't understand the term correctly... [Re: John E. Araman ] #105648 - 05/05/2006 12:27 PM
Candi Campbell Webboard User Reg: 02-06-2006 Posts: 696 Loc: San Francisco, CA Offline	Sharpness is one trait & shyness is another trait, but being SHARP/SHY means a dog displays both characteristics at once -- It's very similar in definition to the term "fear-biter" (being afraid is one mode & attacking is another mode, but being a FEAR-BITER means the dog exhibits both drives at once... I have an Akita bitch who's been sharp ever since she was a weanling, and there isn't one shy bone in her whole body (she's been standing under gunfire like a rock from 10 weeks of age & backs down from nothing!) so I completely AGREE that plenty of sharp dogs are certainly NOT nerve-bags -- However, a sharp/shy fear-biter IS a neurotic dog... Hope that clears all this up <:-) How anyone can live without a dog is beyond me...
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