New announcement. Learn more

All

Suburban dogs Dogs in the city Apartment dogs City Dogs Fresh feeding Hybrid feeding Adding value Processed food Dry food Kibble Dangerous equipment Retractable leashes Walking equipment Walking leashes Guarantee services Dog training outcomes Guarantees in dog training Behaviour Premack Dogs and chasing Prey drive Dogs and poultry Dogs and ducks Dogs and geese Dogs and chickens Daycare Doggy Daycare Movement Healthy dogs Evidence based Joint supplements Joint Health Pulling on the lead Safe equipment Pulling Equipment Harnesses Appropriate puppy play Play styles Puppy behaviour Puppy classes Puppy play Sniffing Using a long line Training skills Long leash Critical distance Self rewarding behaviours Dogs digging Natural behaviours Digging Human emotions Adding to the family Teeth cleaning Chewing Dental seaweed Wellness Teeth Primary reinforcers Healthy treats Food for training Training treats Threshold levels Stress in dogs Dog development Young dogs Fear stages Fear periods Reframing Reactivity Dog reactivity Candles Puppuchino Dog cafes Dog manners Cafe etiquette Cafe behaviour for dogs Core vaccines Canine wellness Canine vaccinations Titre Testing Dog anxiety Dog behaviour Dog body language Displacement behaviours Puppy growth plates Stairs and puppies Puppy safety Puppy growth Growing puppies Raw feeding Nutrient balance Raw feeding puppies Reactivity Trigger stacking Arousal Dog walking Walking dogs Guarding items Puppy aggression Resource Guarding Dogs in cars Travelling with dogs Car sickness Play growling Fearful dogs Growling dogs Feeding bones to dogs Raw bones Fresh Food Feeding Feed fresh Carotenoids Carrots for dogs Fresh feeding for dogs Carrots Over Arousal Dog Aggression Redirected Aggression Scared dogs Changing associations Thunderstorms Relaxing Zen zone Safe place Choice Rest zone Canine body language Visitors to the home Dogs meeting new people Dogs and strangers Feeding dogs Multidog household Puppy training Adolescent dogs Puppy license Dog training Diet and exercise Tired dog Dog downtime Dog exercise Reactive dogs Muzzles

TAGS

What is Redirected Aggression in Dogs?

January 3, 2024

Redirected Aggression in Dogs

Redirected aggression is when a dog redirects aggressive or hostile behaviour to a different place or purpose. That may be towards another dog/s, a person, or an object. The aggression may be caused by excitement, frustration or fear and almost always occurs when the dog is in a state of over arousal.

Some common examples:

1. Two dogs are running along a fence barking at and chasing the postman. Out of frustration that the dogs can’t reach their intended ‘target’, the dogs turn on each other.

2. Your dog is worried by seeing other dogs on a walk, and another dog walks too close to your dog and your dog turns and grabs/bites the lead.

3. You go to intervene 2 dogs having a scuffle and one turns and bites you.

In a state of high arousal, dogs often can’t think clearly and can make poor choices, however, redirected aggression is a normal response to an emotion. In some cases, you can teach a more appropriate response such as taking the energy of the arousal out on a toy, and then work towards a calmer response with training.

The key to preventing redirected aggression is to prevent and manage high arousal situations in which it is most likely to occur. This may mean changing the environment, preventing access, creating more distance, and teaching and implementing training skills.

If you need help with your dog/s, contact us today.

By Anne Hardacre

Redirected Aggression

Dog Aggression

Over Arousal

Brisbane, Ipswich and surrounding suburbs