Dog Attacks - Deed or Breed?

Although the statistics cover ‘struck by dog’ incidents as well as ‘bite by dog’ incidents, it is fair to assume that most incidents recorded are what we might loosely refer to as a dog attack. The fact is: 29 people were hospitalised in Northampton area in 2007-2008. Northampton isn’t on it’s own - dog attack hospital admissions have increased 43% nationally since 2001. Just over a quarter of all incidents involve children under ten. These are hospital admissions, remember – Not just minor injuries.

It’s a significant and worrying trend – but yet it’s entirely unnecessary. Dog attacks are avoidable in almost every case. Why do dogs attack? Is there such a thing as a bad dog or are owners always to blame? Is an aggressive dog this way from birth or is it down to the way it was brought up? It’s a question that has interested psychologists for decades – The so-called “nature or nurture” argument.

I wish I had a penny for every time I’ve heard someone say “There’s no such thing as a bad dog, only bad owners”. To some extent I’m inclined to agree because as a dog trainer and dog lover, I don’t like the idea that some dogs are just ‘bad’ BUT experience has taught me that sometimes even good owners need help with a particularly difficult dog. Life’s like that. Some dogs, like people, have difficult tendencies! (Incidentally I often think that anyone who calls me for dog training help is almost by definition a ‘good owner’. Bad owners, it seems, never call, but the good owners want the best for their dog)

The problem with the ‘nature or nurture’ argument is that it’s presented as a choice between one or the other whereas research now shows beyond doubt that behaviour – human too – comes from of a bit of both. On the one hand there are genetic traits (nature) and on the other, learnt reactions (nurture). All dogs – and all owners – are a product of breeding and upbringing. The problem for anyone seeking to change unwanted behaviour, of course, is that we can’t yet change genetics - only learnt responses.

If you’re now worried that your dog’s bad behaviour might be genetic and you won’t be able to change it, take heart that even genetic traits can be controlled if you get the right advice. Learnt responses, on the other hand can be unlearned and re-learned in a better way - even better. That’s the skill of a good dog training or dog behaviour professional. Each dog is different and what works for one may not work with the next (just like people!), but it’s always worth giving your dog the best chance to be the well behaved happy dog that you want. I see lots of cases where the dog’s behaviour is utterly transformed in days. (With others it just takes a little longer.)

So what about “deed or breed” – Are some so-called dangerous breeds bound to be aggressive dogs because of genetics? Is it wise that certain breeds of dog are banned in the UK under the Dangerous Dogs Act? Or would we be better served by laws which require owners to behave in a more responsible manner, regardless of the breed they favour?

I’m often asked in radio and press interviews if I think that some breeds are dangerous. Personally I have two Rottweilers, a breed that has had more than it’s fair share of bad press. The fact is that an attack by a powerful breed of dog will be more likely to put you in hospital. That’s not rocket science, of course. But it’s just wrong in my opinion to ban certain breeds on this basis. If you have a Ferrari are you a dangerous driver because it’s a fast and powerful car? Is the local boy racer with his tricked up Ford Fiesta a better bet then..? I doubt it! It’s about responsibility – whether we’re talking about driving or dog ownership.

Unfortunately in our society we seem not to favour responsibility any more – we legislate for everything except personal responsibility. You can’t have a well balanced calm submissive Pit Bull Terrier, but you can have an unleashed attack-trained dog that’s a real danger to the public and you will almost certainly not be prosecuted until after someone has been hurt. No one has to train a dog to be well behaved and anyone can own a dog regardless of how much they understand their needs. That can’t be right!

Here’s a final thought for those of you who follow Cesar Millan “The Dog Whisperer” on the telly. If he came to Britain and brought Daddy or Junior his super-calm well behaved Pit Bulls with him, they’d be seized and killed by the authorities and he’d get himself a criminal record - all because of their breed. Meanwhile in many areas including Northamptonshire, hospital admissions for dog attacks are up 100% in three years and rising. The fact is the law's not working.

So.. dog attacks: Deed or Breed..? My advice to dog owners is simple:

Concentrate on good dog behaviour, whatever the breed of your dog, and you'll be fine.

Graeme

P.S. If you're worried about your dog's behaviour, I can help. You can contact me here.

Based in Northampton, Graeme Hall (Graham Hall) works all over Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes and beyond. Dogfather offers Kennel Club listed dog training classes, puppy classes and one to one dog training and puppy training. For more info and prices, please check out Dog Training -  What I Do