Canine Aggression: Understanding Owner Beliefs about the Biological Locus of Origin for Rehabilitation of Aggressive Behavior

Abstract

The topic of canine aggression– threatening or hostile behavior involving actual and or potential harm to another – invokes many emotional responses due to the often violent connotations regarding aggressive canines. Research focusing on various methods of rehabilitation has indicated a range of success rates and statistical findings in regards to aggressive dogs. Using a survey form, a non-experimental study was conducted questioning canine owners’ beliefs about the locus of origin, the malleability, and the owners' attitudes towards rehabilitation and non-rehabilitation practices in cases of canine aggression. This research outlines important implications about the sample population's opinions, understandings, stereotypes, and personal experiences with canine aggression. Significant correlations were found between biological and no-rehab variables (positive), as well as can-change and no-rehab variables (negative) resulting in support for the claim that owners who believe that canine behavior is not malleable and that canine aggression is biologically determined are likely to favor eliminating the troublesome dog rather than attempting rehabilitation.