Dominant di

AGGRESSIVE dogs
are becoming a serious
problem.

There is no quick fix to
stop aggressive behaviour
once it has started. It can’t
be solved with a cookie or a
time out. It is a process
which usually begins by
reviewing a dog's history
with a professional trainer
and working together to
solve the problem,

Canine aggression can be
categorized into fear or
dominance-related aggres-
sion. Fear aggression is a
defence mechanism, so to
speak. Dominance related
aggression is an offence

* mechanism. -
Dogs are not born
. aggressive. The notorious
pit bull is born with the

+. same docile nature as a Lab.

Nature or genetics deter-
mines the level of dominance
‘within a breed of dogs,
while ‘nurture — how a dog
is raised and, what it learns,

canine
connection

determines whether it
ecomes aggressive or not.

Aggression therefore, is a
learned behaviour.

In some cases human
intervention has created an
aggressive dog by unscrupu-
lously breeding two dogs
who possess an unusuaily
high degree of dominance.
But thar’s another can of
worms all together.

Dogs begin to display
dominance as pups. The
more dominant or pushy the
pup, the more likely ‘c will
get the best mifk supply

' from the mother, or the

warmest sleeping spot. The

“IONING BYLAW
‘AMENDMENT -

PETS

pup learns that being tough
gets him or her what he or
she wants. Ac this point the
mother dog keeps the little
rascal’s ego in check. But
once the pup leaves the litter
it is up to the new owner to
prevent this dorainant pup
from learning to become
aggressive as it matures.

A pup’s cute appearance
and entertaining mannerisms
often lead its owners to
allow it to get away with
murder. Behaviours such as
nipping and growling over
food and toys, may be

laughed at. This unknowing-

iy encourages the behavicur
to continue as the pup inter-

prets the laughter as praise. .

Growling at other dogs may
not be corrected immediate-
ly because the owner feels
somewhat embarrassed cor-
recting a puppy. This feeds
the littie pup’s ego and the
behaviour continues into
adulthood.

Dog to dog aggression
should be taken seriously.

“NOTICE: is hereby given by, the City of North’

Vancouver that in accordance with the provisions of

Section 850(4) of the Municipal Act; the Public Hearing concerning
“the folowing | rezoning application has been waived, and it is the intention of the Council of the
Gy of North Vancouver to. consider Bylaw No. 7206 at the regular Council meeting to be held on -
: MONDAY, FEBRUARY y, 2000 at 6: 00 p.m.:

“BYLAW. NO. ‘7206

To amend the text of the Zoring Bylaw as it pertains to Comprehensive Development 270 Zone, by
= deleting» and replacing S Section | as follows: ,

‘believes it is the

Some owners believe that
dogs should work out their
own problems. I don’t agree
with this. As responsible
owners, it is our job to pre-
vent dog fights from hap-
pening and to teach our
dogs to get along as best
they can.

Dogs who are allowed to
fight are being rewarded for
displaying their dominance
through aggression. This
behaviour will not be con-
fined only to dogs Inevitably
that dog will bite or attack a
person or a child. It is just a
matter of time.

Certain individuals
encourage their dogs to
become aggressive hoping
that they will have a dog
that will protect thern, or
scare away the boogie-man.

Well, it’s time to take
your head out of the sand. A
dominant dog which has ~
learned to become aggres-
sive through encouragement
ack leader.

In the dog world, the pack

APPLICANT: GLADWIN COURT
STRATA CORPORATION LMS 2286

The proposed bylaw may be inspected:
at the office of the City Clerk between
8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Mendzy.to Friday,
except Statutory Holidays, from
January 24 - February 7, 2009:'

Bruce A. Hawkshaw,

City Clerk:

Councillor Bill Bell
Councillor Join Braithwaite
Councillor Bob Fearnley
Councillor Craig Keating
Councillor Darrell Mussatto

Sunday, January 23, 2000 —

leader protects no one but
himself. This dominant
aggressive dog will probably
sit back and watch the
assault jnstead of doing any-
thing about it. On the other

North Shore News - 29

GS Can become aggressive

hand, a dog which is not the
head honcho and has
accepted his or her human
owner as the pack leader will

See Socialization page 33

Trustee ww Banc

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