Question about redirect aggression in dogs?

Among other reasons the root cause of redirection onto a human may be a less than sound genetic temperament or an uncontrolled prey drive, which in my opinion is the most challenging to reliably control because the dog instinctively loves what its doing and the owner is boring as dry toast in comparison.

A dog can recognize a human with weak authority that it would not trust to lead it out of a paper bag or work willingly and happily for them because they have not first earned the dog’s respect for their authority to decide what happens and when in all situations and consistently makes decisions, provides guidance and takes control so the dog knows what is expected of it and that it to follow a predictable, calm fair leader.

A dog worked up into a frenzy of excitement over a prey animal it wants to kill which is reward enough or possibly snack on too, will not choose to suppress a strong and satisfying drive for a person it has a poor day to day relationship and redirect because of a lack of respect for authority which is earned not a given right for being human. It’s mine, I want it back off attitude – very much of the moment and the dog revert back to submission/avoidance in everyday situations.

It was owner error on my part with a dog born predisposed to react nervously when exposed to dogs and on one occasion his fearfulness was expressed in redirected aggression. A loose dog aggressive dog in a training class (nitwit owner) ran toward him, his stress level was ramped up as it attempted to get a bite in and my dog was lunging and growling against the lead because he could not remove himself from a threatening situation.

He did not trust me to step up, take control and protect him in mentally challenging situations and in a heighted state of anxiety bit me because he couldn’t stop the dog. He wasn’t given a free pass on the bite, but it was my fault for not preventing the dog from entering his space in whatever way it took to protect him. I stepped up and took control so he learned that he didn’t have to and never redirected again.

dogs redirect aggression in the moment, mostly at the most immediate convenient target

and in extreme circumstances, dogs can 'attack' anybody, even the person they love most.

Dogs can make split-second, instinctive, reflexive choices that are informed by past history. Just don't read into it as there being more actual thinking going on than that.

Sounds like your dog isn't the only one who gets submissive around your spouse. Sure, it's complicated, but kicking the dog? You've given really good answers in the short time I've noticed. I would never imagine you as someone who would let this be the way things are for your dog.

I won't go into what I think of your *ole man*. That is none of my business and certainly is NOT what you are asking.

I can go into Launi's redirected aggression/excitement which I have under control to a point.

I CAN pull Launi away from ANY circumstance. So can my husband, daughter etc. She has never bitten anyone in the heat of the RED ZONE.

She has been removed too many times and I have gotten my fingers in her mouth accidentally using the break stick. The moment she feels human flesh, she retreats. have also had to knock her up side of the head (ya know what I mean), hold her body against a wall with my legs and hips while trying to break up a fight with 2 of my smaller dogs that Launi wanted to engage in. I have jerked the living crap out of her via the prong & she has never laid teeth on me and she has never done it to my husband or daughter.

Would she do it to a complete stranger? Would she do it to someone she does not trust? I cannot say but I believe that is a very good possibility. Not a full blown attack, but a snap/bite? I think so.

Your dog has no relationship with this man and the biggest thing is she has no respect for him. Dogs have there own way of expressing respect and dogs, without DOUBT, remember!

I would suggest talking to your man and letting him know that Gemini KNOWS him and she could give a good gawd damn if she takes him straight to hell one of these days.

Submissive behaviors is one state of mind. This is how the dog reacts to you in a household. The submissive peeing is a plea from the dog not to heavy up and get harsh.

Redirected aggression is another state of mind. Dogs are often engaged in a predatory state of mind or may be frustrated by a barrier such as a leash or a fence. They can get worked up into a frenzy and show aggression they would not normally show. Years ago I was talking to a man who investigated dog bites resulting in death. He told me of an instance where two dogs were chasing a deer. The deer jumped the fence near where two boys were playing. The dogs turned on and killed one of the boys. These two dogs were family pets that hadn't before shown aggression. Their worked up predatory state caused them to react with frustration when the animal they were after got away. What happened was the dogs redirected their aggression towards the deer to the boys.

The video link below shows some redirected aggression that didn't end up with death or destruction. Still these two dogs engaged in an aggressive act due to barrier frustration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9R59Ckz4p4

I think that in general they redirect at other dogs or humans that they do not respect.

A dog that is lower in the pecking order will not redirect at the top dog, because he knows there will be severe consequences. I would assume that to be the same with humans. The dogs I have worked with that were human aggressive would go off on anyone until I established that it was not a wise to take me on. After that they did not give me grief, although they might someone else.

There is one unstable dog in my pack who reacts to any unusual or upsetting event by becoming aggressive. She NEVER goes after my top dog, she goes after another dog who is about the same level as her, and with whom she regularly vies for position in the pack.

In your dog's case, perhaps she was so ramped up that she did not recognize who she was grabbing, or perhaps she is afraid of him, and that fear translated into defensive aggression.

I think a dog would be more inclined to redirect aggression on someone they didn't like, or someone they didn't know very well.

Although this isn't exactly what you were asking, I know that when me and my dog play it is always best to provide a toy for her because otherwise she will vent all her energy on me... It can be painful. When she gets so hyped up she needs somewhere to release her energy.

Your dog and your 'ol man's relationship sounds kind of like the relationship my dog/the family dog has with my Dad. Unlike your dog, she obeys my Dad as best as she can and will do anything to please him. But she is still in total submission to him. But he also cares about her.

What you said makes perfect sense. Dogs do this. If you have a dog that is in a very negative frame of mind (say because of another dog), the dog can redirect it's aggression towards you. However, no dog that respects their human as pack leader would ever do this. But, a dog that is what they call a RED ZONE dog, can attack a person if that person gets in the way when the dog is in a negative frame of mind. For example, trying to break up a fight between two (or even one) RED ZONE dog can often get you bitten or seriously attacked.

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you should find another man that isn't mean. If he's mean to a dog he'll be mean to the kids and you. Three billion people live on earth I'm sure you can do better.

sorry