Is Dog Aggression Normal Dog Behavior

What Is Normal Dog Behavior

by Alan Papszycki (THE SPIRIT DOG)

So what exactly is “normal” dog behavior ? Well, actually it will be much easier for us to understand, what is NOT normal dog behavior.

Normal inherited and / or learned behaviors, which in actuality are derivations of the same inherited behavior ¹. Can and often will, encompass the entire spectrum of displayable behaviors a dog can exhibit. These behaviors can range greatly, from being very innocuous in nature. All the way to those demonstrative behaviors, that can be readily perceived as the most abhorrent acts, that can manifest themselves by a dog.

So in a nut shell, there aren’t any behaviors that a dog can display, that can be considered abnormal. There are plenty of behaviors that we do not like, but these are normal. Whether or not we are successful in modifying these behaviors, depends on two things. -1- The dog training professional you hire, and your comfort level and willingness to work with the dog.

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1A ;  “Normal inherited and / or learned behaviors, which in actuality are derivations of the same inherited behavior” :

(a) Inherited behavior of digging : Because of a dogs inherited behavior, digging comes naturally ; ( that’s the inherited behavior part) . A dog in a fenced yard that happens to dig a hole near the fence line, then escapes. If then on subsequent occasions he recreates the same digging behavior, that facilitated his  escape in the first place. Then that is a learned behavior that’s tied to an inherited behavior. ( derivation of, the same inherited behavior )

(b) Inherited behavior of survival ( survival instinct), most commonly displayed as fear aggression. The inherited behavior of a dog, tells them to growl when they perceive something that is a potential threat to them ( usually a person). (  that’s the inherited behavior part). Because most people are afraid of a growling dog, a person will back away from the animal to be safe. Hence the dog learns, that by growling he scares away what makes him nervous or uncomfortable. Again, on subsequent occasions, if he repeats this behavior. He has learned that by growling  he scares away the threat. ( This is now a learned behavior, tied to an inherited behavior ). ( derivation of, the same inherited behavior )

THE SPIRIT DOG

copyright©2008 alan papszycki