Now that the figures and statistics have been set out, and people's consciences may be awakening, we need to understand why a dog, reputed to be "non-confrontational" in his management of relations with his fellow creatures (and with humans), can become an "aggressor" or "biter". What causes a domestic dog to attack ? Are pathological behavioral problems always the reason ? Are euthanasias for dangerousness frequent in Switzerland ?

Defensive attacks, i.e. those in which the dog is approached by a human and reacts to defend himself (situations of fear, annoyance, etc.), are the majority in Switzerland. This is a truth that needs to be faced up to and integrated. As we have already mentioned, the main culprit behind these human "faux pas" is a lack of understanding of canine instincts, behaviours, functioning, warning signals and communication codes. For the general public, the idea that a dog is "nice", that he will never bite, is commonplace but, unfortunately, totally wrong and even extremely dangerous ! Problems are therefore created by this notorious ignorance of canines in general (including our own), as well as by anthropomorphized thinking and an overly angelic vision of the canine, not based on the reality of the animal kingdom. We can also cite the abuses caused by people more interested in profit than in ethical breeding, by the absence or poor education of owners (largely due to the reasons cited above), and by a cruel lack of reflection before buying or adopting a dog ! Humans often make missteps, which unfortunately leads to (too) many problems for domestic canines. 

There are a number of triggers that can lead a dog to bite, even if he has never done so before :

1. Instincts, such as protection (of resources at mealtimes, of territory in the home/garden, of puppies or humans in the event of a threat) or predation (moving objects/persons simulating prey, such as joggers or cyclists).

2. Failure to obey warning signals when the canine is stressed, annoyed or afraid. Misunderstood or unaware, they go unheard, and the dog ends up having to bite to signify his discomfort and see it stop.

3. Pain, when a dog is ill, injured or old.

4. Redirected aggression, where the dog aggresses because he is overexcited or frustrated and has to bite something or someone to calm himself down.

5. The need to defend himself, if the dog feels threatened or attacked and cannot escape or put distance between himself and the threat.

6. Playfulness, which first reveals itself through nipping when puppies play, but which can become recurrent or even problematic without the owner working to teach the dog to control his bite.

7. Instrumental biting, which occurs unpredictably, and consists in the dog aggressing/biting preventively when this behavior has proved effective in the past.

8. Genetics - this influences temperamental characteristics, i.e. aggression, and can therefore also play a role. Certain pathologies such as hyperreactivity, SOA (Sudden Onset Aggression), OCD, senile dementia, thyroid disorders or certain medications can increase the risk of aggression and biting.

It's important to understand that canines don't bite for no reason, apart from recognized genetic or pathological disorders ! Just because we don't understand it doesn't mean there isn't one, or that we should immediately consider the dog to be "mean" (a typical anthropomorphism). It's vital, then, for humans to question themselves and assess the situation as a whole, objectively and neutrally, in order to determine what triggered the incident in the first place.

In terms of purely human errors, leading to aggression, we can cite a few of the most frequent examples :

- jogging or cycling and not stopping when a dog is unrestrained, uncontrolled (by the owner) or free in his territory (unfenced or enclosed garden). Fast-moving passageways can awaken a canine's predatory instinct. He'll see it as the behavior of prey on the run, which may prompt him to "pounce" in pursuit. Remember to stop in such circumstances or when in doubt, because one thing's for sure : you can't win against a canid !

- don't supervise children in the presence of a dog. Children often play with this "living stuffed animal", touching it repeatedly, anywhere, disturbing the dog when he's sleeping, sometimes inflicting pain, annoying him or approaching his bowl while he's eating. As areminder, a child should never be left alone in the company of a dog, even if it's the family one, even for 30 seconds ! Children's movements can be brusque and uncontrolled, and their knowledge is far too limited to detect warning signals. Moreover, they're constantly on the move, this can stimulate the predatory instincts of dogs who haven't previously been in contact with them (adoption, dog not living with them). Children also make high-pitched sounds when playing, which attracts dogs. This is also the case with babies, who, when they cry out, can annoy or irritate the dog, all the more so if the latter is in an altered physiological and emotional state. It's therefore extremely important for parents to be familiar with canine behaviour, to educate their children AND young visitors on how to behave, and to keep an eye on them at all times !

- do not ask permission before touching a dog, whether unknown or not. People, adults and children alike, often approach dogs "head-on", from "above", bringing their hand down on the dog or touching him on the back or sides, which will surprise or annoy the canine. There are also dogs who simply don't like to be touched, for a variety of reasons. There are still people who approach or try to pet tethered dogs in front of stores, on doorsteps or over the fence of houses, a monumental mistake with totally predictable and serious consequences.

- taking a toy, a bone or even a dog's bowl. This affects the dog's protective instinct (resourcefulness), and if the dog's owners haven't taught it during its first months of life, it can provoke an immediate reaction. If you don't know your dog, these actions should be avoided at all costs !

- not knowing how to stop when playing with a dog. Some dogs get excited very quickly, either because of their genetic inheritance or their personality/caracter. They can lapse into overexcitement when play or action pushes them too far, forcing them to bite to calm down. It's important to know your dog well and to spot the signs of excitement so you can put an end to it, by stopping the activity/action, before the dog reaches a point of no return.

- wanting to intervene in a conflict between dogs, by putting your hand "in the middle" of fighting dogs or taking your dog in your arms (especially for small breeds). Clearly, the risk of being bitten increases exponentially. So it's imperative to take practical dog training courses, to learn how to behave and act in such situations.

- wanting to force our way through with guardian dogs, cross the herd without stopping our run (running/moutain bikking) or come into these areas with domestic dogs ! The guardian dog is there to protect his herd against any threat, not just wolves. He gives clear signals (barking, running in your direction) that must be respected. He's simply trying to identify the subjcet, the possible threat. It's advisable to stop, let the dog make his assessment (he smells you) and walk slowly and/or go around the herd. Any gesture that arouses the instinct (lifting the walking sticks, forcing the way, running or wanting to approach/touch the sheep, etc.) will be perceived as a threat, with predictable consequences. Here again, the problems stem from a failure to read and take into account the signs posted at the start of hiking trails (and when approaching the livestock), a lack of understanding of canine behavior and an inability on the part of some humans to understand that they are not at home everywhere that it's important to respect the various users you encounter. Yes, because to cut a long story short, the dogs and shepherds are working while you're simply enjoying a leisure activity, so it's clear that professionalism takes precedence over recreational activities and tourism !

Of course, as mentioned above, genetics and certain pathological behavioral disorders or medications can be the cause of aggression. But it's also fair to say that some of these disorders are caused by humans, through educational errors or failure to respect the canine's needs. In canine and veterinary circles, we know that behavioral disorders, due to educational errors, are easily corrected in the first six months of a puppy's life, but that as time goes by, things get more complicated. So never delay in seeking help from dog educators or veterinarian for behavioral problems ! In certain cases where aggression is more difficult to control or correct, the veterinarian may decide to impose muzzling or other measures designed to protect others.

But contrary to popular belief, cases where nothing can be done to treat the dog, despite existing measures, and lead to euthanasia, are very rare in Switzerland. We all remember the case of 6-year-old Süleyman in Zürich in 2005, killed by three molossoids who had been confined and highly mistreated since birth. This horrific attack also had psychological and traumatic repercussions for the 26-year-old woman who witnessed it. The dogs were euthanized, the damages caused by humans were too severe to be reversible, showing you who is really responsible for this tragedy. Even if serious or even irreversible pathological disorders are rare, those of a milder nature, linked to a lack of canine knowledge leading to educational errors, are very (not to say too) frequent. The dog suffers, which is already a form of mistreatment - it's time to call a spade a spade !

As you can see, the total responsibility for incidents and bites in Switzerland is very rarely attributable to domestic dogs, even if they are predators (descendants of the wolf), but mainly to humans. Everything we've explained so far shows that people's lack of knowledge, and even ignorance, of how dogs work is dangerous. In addition to causing aggression, this is also highly detrimental to the dog's physical, mental and emotional well-being. If we don't know our dog, if we don't know how to satisfy his needs (AND NOT OURS !), how he functions and reacts, chances are we won't be able to make him fully happy, or offer him the life of a true canine, according to his nature.

A well known example of human stupidity with severe, avoidable consequences is selection criteria based on a dog's physique (size, coat or eye color, special features, etc.). Taking on a breed whose real needs, at all levels, cannot be met, then leads to mental and physical health problems in the dog, which can tip over into a possible increase in incidents with fellow dogs and humans. It's what we might call "beauty crime" - succumbing to an aesthetic crush without careful thought and study! And it's extremely common, unfortunately, as many breeders, vets and shelters can attest.

Three breeds in particular are very much in vogue and concerned : the Belgian Malinois, the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie. These breeds pay a heavy price for human error, with pathological behavioral disorders and frequent abandonment. Why ? Well, simply because these breeds may be beautiful, but they also have precise and consequent needs that many owners ignore, or choose to ignore ! Indeed, these are working breeds, which require both physical and mental activity, on a daily basis : long walks (not only 10 minutes a day) for exercise, but also intellectual stimulation (research, various games, agility, etc.). These breeds are often chosen because they catch the eye, but let's be clear : few owners can really offer them what they really need. The result is all kinds of material problems (damage inside the house), problems with neighbors (barking/crying) and, above all, emotional and behavioural problems for the dog : deep discomfort, depression, hyper-reactivity, OCD or even self-mutilation. An unhappy, frustrated dog, an overwhelmed owner, a possible increase in aggression - the combination is 100% losing.
 

To avoid these behavioral/emotional problems in dogs, and the possible incidents that could ensue, every future owner needs to ask himself this question, before choosing a breed or a dog : what can I offer my dog ? Daily time available (walks, training courses, games, outings, socialization, etc.), the owner's physical abilities, number of working days per week, daycare solutions (boarding - a dog cannot and should not normally be left alone for more than 5 hours a day), studies of outdoor activities to stimulate the dog and, of course, the budget. Maintaining a dog costs money - count on several hundred francs/dollars/euro a month for people who work and therefore have to find solutions for the dog's well-being ! So everything needs to be studied and thought out months before you buy or adopt a dog ! All these questions need to be clearly answered, concrete solutions have to be found and the commitment will last for years, to which we'll have to add our life changes, in which we'll always have to include the dog !

Unfortunately, many people ask the question in reverse : "What can a dog offer me?". "He'll force me to go out", "he'll keep me company because I'm lonely when I come home in the evening", "he'll be a playmate for the kids, who ask us for him" - these are just some of the motives that will collide head-on with everyday, if the thinking has not been done correctly. And the consequences of any mistake will be paid for by the dog itself, for the rest of his life !

It goes without saying that we have a major influence on the dog's behavior. Bad choices, educational and/or socialization errors, lack of knowledge of how dogs work (including his own), anthropomorphism, infantilization, one thing must be clear by now : love is by far not enough to ensure a dog's happiness. Above all, humans have responsibilities and duties ! Normally, in the nature of canines, there's this need to avoid conflict, which is important for living in a pack, in a group. Aggression often occurs in specific circumstances, when the dog has no choice but to react, or when his instincts (protection, survival, predation) are triggered. 

To prevent incidents, we need to inform the public, especially dog owners and children. Knowledge is the only way to avoid potentially problematic situations, and the aggression and bites that could ensue. This would involve the return - which is becoming a matter of real urgency given the current situation - of theory courses for all owners, prior to the purchase or adoption of a dog, even for those who already have had one and are not in the dog or veterinary business. The introduction of specific, compulsory criteria for owning a dog could also be evaluated because, let's not forget, he is not a cuddly toy, a whim, a birthday or Christmas present, or a sign of success and social accomplishment ! And we strongly advise people with a fear of dogs to undergo desensitization therapy, in order to eliminate the fear (which the animal feels) and adopt the right behaviors when meeting them.

Dogs deserve to be better known, and to be offered everything they really need, so that they can lead a real and worthy canine life !

Photos . IG & Illustration

NEXT CHAPTER : CANIDS AMONG THEMSELVES : FRIENDS OR ENNEMIES ?