Yesterday at PosiDog we had an “Understanding Canine Aggression” seminary by Ken McCort.
The focus on behavior patterns in dogs and vocabulary was fabulous! And I really loved the focus on “There are a LOT of ways to change behavior!” I know that any time we need behavior change, it’s easy to get stuck in “we have to do x or y or z.” But there are always so many options for behavior change, let alone when we start to combine and select available options.
A few key notes:
– Ken pointed out that aggression is not a disease. We can’t say we will treat it… we CAN change behavior. But it’s not something we treat and are done with.
– Motor patterns are super cool! Coppingers book is a must read. Aggression is a type of motor pattern associated with foraging, reproduction or hazard avoidance. It’s not a different/special/obscure thing.
– Dogs send and receive signals. Most signals sent are not intentionally thought out, but unconscious motor-pattern type response to a threat/the environment. Some dogs have trouble properly reading given signals.
– Terminology needs to be more consistent and standardized.
– Predatory aggression is very mis-named. Predatory motor patterns are normal things predators do.
– Most of aggression is about fear of loosing space or resources.
– Many in the group were intrigued to learn about LRS (Least Reinforcing Scenario). I didn’t realize it was a less-taught piece of trainer skill.
– Many people underestimate or don’t sufficiently understand the natural history of dogs.
Off to change clothes and get ready for evening classes!