Protective or fearful?

[KristiM]

Originally Posted by Catu

All aggression is based on fear? It may not be false, but is an over, over, over simplification of the subject.

Totally agree!

And what about dogs that find it satisfying to dominate? I have a dog that finds it very self rewarding to dominate. I imagine that there are dogs that find the act of aggression to be self rewarding. Kinda like how eating chocolate feels rewarding to me

I used to box and for me fighting was a rush that made me feel good. Are dogs capable of that same rush?

[codmaster]

Originally Posted by Castlemaid

And I wonder what the motivation for liking to fight is? I know in my rescue, it is insecurity - she wants to fight other dogs because she wants to be top dog, and she is insecure about her position.

Gryffon is happy to let others be top dog, but he will fight for real in protection training - his motivation is defense - there is a real and present threat, and he fights to defend himself and over come the threat. One could say that he is afraid of being overpowered and loosing, so there is an element of fear, but there is also an element of confidence and inner strength, because he feels himself capable of winning and overpowering.

Wonder how a human can know what the motivation of an animal is?

Is the "protection" training Sch or real personal protection, or K9 type work? That would make a REAL difference in what the dog thinks of what his motivation is. Vast majority of ScH training that I have seen or talked to knowledgable folks about is done in "prey" drive (tug of war game) - not much fear there either.

An insecure dog doesn't "like" to fight, just feels like they have no choice (the well known "fight or flight" response to some fear).

Regarding "like to fight" - some dogs do, just like some people. Some dogs like to track, others to fetch, etc.

Not every dog reaction/behavior is due to a dog fearing something! Sometimes they react because they like to do something.

[Castlemaid]

Originally Posted by codmaster

Wonder how a human can know what the motivation of an animal is?

Is the "protection" training Sch or real personal protection, or K9 type work? That would make a REAL difference in what the dog thinks of what his motivation is. Vast majority of ScH training that I have seen or talked to knowledgable folks about is done in "prey" drive (tug of war game) - not much fear there either.

In Gryffon's case, he has been worked and tested by k9 trainers with experience in selecting and training police dogs, and pushed to test the limits of what he can take. So yes, it was real defense work on a bite suite and the hidden sleeve, and not tuggy prey drive work.

Not every dog reaction/behavior is due to a dog fearing something! Sometimes they react because they like to do something.

True too!! Some dogs just find a behaviour self-rewarding and will then repeat it given similar situations.

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by Castlemaid

And I wonder what the motivation for liking to fight is?

With GSDs, I think fighting with a helper or criminal, fight drive, is a form of advanced play drive. We see young puppies wrestle, chase, and "fight" each other, and it appears they are enjoying themselves. Perhaps the desire to fight is the grown-up version of that. It is FUN for the dog, especially if he knows (or thinks) he will win and won't get hurt. Some dogs fight harder if they do get hurt, I think at that point there is an element of defense (fear) and anger to the fight, and the desire to overwhelm the opponent gets kicked up a notch. Once a dog perceives that his survival is on the line, he may get an extra dose of adrenaline. Of course, at a certain point there is the possibility that he may turn and run for his life if that is an option, because GSDs do still retain survival instincts.

With dogs that truly seem to enjoy fighting and do not care if they get hurt or killed, like a game Pit Bull, it might be seen as a compulsion, a self-rewarding behavior with none of that bothersome "survival" concern. I don't think fear plays any part in it. I don't know if many people have actually seen two game Pits matched in a ring, I have only seen videos, but there is no "threat" display. No growling, no snarling, they may bark with excitement, but there is no hackling, no posturing, no nothing. The dogs are wagging their tails, eager to engage, and going after each other like they are having the time of their lives, despite the fact that they are being horribly maimed in the process. It's disturbing and fascinating at the same time, from a behavioral point of view. What is the motivation? It's not fear, could it simply be play to them? It would be interesting if you could somehow study the brain of a fighting dog while he's in the fight. How is their brain different than that of a normal dog? What hormones are flooding the brain, what parts of the brain are lighting up?

And by the same token, if it were possible to wire up a GSD's brain while he is fighting the helper, what would we find?

[Sharbel]

Originally Posted by Jax's Mom

A fearful dog is protecting himself, while the protective dog is protecting you?

Indeed. Aggression is fear. The fearless dog is not aggressive. My problem though is that my dog is so calm that he often reminds me of a lamb dressed as a wolf. Fearful looking, huge in built, but yet calm and so well tempered to the extent that I am afraid nobody will ever hesitate entering his yard. But make no mistake. Those you dared to enter alone his space have had a very nasty surprise. The calmed and well tempered dog converts immediately into a guard, he groans and he barks just once or twice at the most but if the intruder continues towards the fenced yard or the front door we still do not know what will be coming next. His barks are countable. But only if and where it maters. Whenever we let visitors in with him around he checks them up , he allows them in but he blocks them from going to any of the private rooms alone.

[doggiedad]

that's funny. i've seen my dog's protective side. he barked
at his reflection in the window.

Originally Posted by Good_Karma

Okay, I understand now Shadow's Mum.

Here's my relatively uninformed opinion on protectiveness versus fear...

>>>> Actually, I don't even think I can dare comment since I have never seen either of my dogs act in a way I felt was protective. I don't know what protectiveness looks like, to be completely honest.<<<<

[Lobobear44]

I admit it is hard not certainly clear if the dog is protecting someone or is just fear. Like when I Dante a GS he has attacked a small dog but I'm trying to find out why. Also the other day I was playing with Riley and Dante, Riley started to play too rough on me and Dante stopped Riley. I think Dante is protective of me. Again, sometimes hard to tell.

[Lobobear44]

O yeah Dante is fearless not afraid of anything!