Human-directed aggression: are we barking up the wrong tree?

• Published in: Veterinary record 2017-07, Vol.181 (2), p.42-43
• Main Author: Keuster, Tiny De
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal bites; Animal training; Children & youth; Epidemiology; Households; Methods; Preschool education; Prevention; Public health; Studies; Veterinary medicine
• ISSN: 0042-4900; 2042-7670
• DOI: 10.1136/vr.j1371

The impact of dog bites on human health has been extensively documented in the literature and risk factor analysis has been very useful in the search for causal mechanisms of dog bite accidents, by identifying human-, dog- and context-related risk factors. Even though decades of research have stressed the importance of avoiding interpretation bias in studies (Parrish and others 1959, Overall and Love 2001, Cornelissen and Hopster 2010), the frequent lack of distinction in dog bite accident studies between correlation and causality relating to dog factors (sex, neuter status, training or education method, etc) has hampered progression in the understanding of the problem and development of more efficient prevention strategies. In this way, the study stresses why correct interpretation of results matter and why the advice published in research papers (eg, see Matthias and others 2015), such as 'dog training, spaying and neutering pets will reduce dog bites', may have little or no impact on bite prevention. In addition to long-term and follow-up studies as suggested by the authors, perhaps insights and tools from other fields (Porzig-Drummond and others 2014) may be helpful on how dog owners can be encouraged to gain a better understanding of their dog's behaviour, and to avoid the pitfall of confounding problematic behaviour with a human-directed hierarchical struggle and to respond in a confrontational way. What you need to know Dogs are able to communicate a range of conflict-averting signals when experiencing social stress Aggression (launching, growling, biting) should be seen as a dog's strategy...