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Animal
problems have human roots
February
7, 2008
Behavior problems in dogs and cats are not linked to an inherent
trait in that particular animal, such as breed, but rather another
element -- the human element. Factors that we as humans create,
control or don't control are the overwhelming factors that lead to
behavior problems, such as aggression, biting, roaming, dog packs
and incessant barking.
For example, in most dog-biting cases, you'll find when you peel
back the layers a number of factors at play that lead to a
combustible mix.
Often you learn that the dog has been tethered or chained in its
yard, living a lonely existence devoid of any social interaction.
The world at the end of the chain is all that they know.
They become frustrated, confused and totally protective of their
space and essentially institutionalized and distrustful and or
fearful of anything or anyone entering that space.
Our four-legged companions are social creatures, and creating an
existence devoid of any type of socialization opens the door to
behavior problems that can affect an entire community.
A large majority of the time, you'll also find in a dog-biting case
that the dog has not been spayed or neutered.
In fact, unaltered dogs are more likely to bite, driven by hormonal
urges. One study reported that 95 percent of dogs involved in
attacks since 1999 were unaltered.
It's also often the case that aggressive dogs, and those that bite,
are the result of either irresponsible breeding or worse yet are
purposefully bred to be aggressive. Take for example the pit bulls
abused by Michael Vick and others involved in underground dog
fighting.
Imagine for a moment that there was no such thing as a pit bull type
dog. That would not eradicate the problem of dog fighting.
Those who perpetuate dog fighting would simply use another type of
dog as their tool. Again, it's the human hand at work.
A third component often seen in dog-biting cases is abuse by humans.
For those who love their pets, it's often hard to understand, but
there are those that taunt, abuse and manipulate a dog emotionally
and physically to create an aggressive behavior and response.
The problem of dog packs, another behavior problem that can affect
an entire community, involves some of the same elements seen in
aggressive-dog cases.
Dogs that have not been altered are more likely to roam. Many people
often are surprised to learn that dogs in a pack can include stray
animals and owned animals that are not responsibly contained or
leashed by their owner.
These dogs are allowed to "walk" themselves or wander in the
neighborhood, which is both a danger to them and people.
When you understand the impact of what we as humans do, or don't do,
being a responsible pet owner is important for the sake of the
community and especially the animal.
Ultimately, their behavior, good or bad, is in our hands.
- Gloria
Dauphin
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