4.04 The Bite Scale and How to Evaluate Aggression

Thanks  Dunbars!! This podcast was particularly interesting to me, especially since I’m fairly certain I’m one of the owners of the “big malamute” you mentioned at the end.  It’s been a challenging last 4 months since this incident happened.  Our mal has had growly incidents with dogs in the past (almost all unneutered males) but has never caused a dog to go to the vet until this encounter with our neighbor’s mini schnauzer.  But like Kelly mentioned there were no stitches needed and the wound was superficial. Still, we are definitely taking this incident seriously and signed up with private lessons with Francis Metcalf 5 days after the dog spat. We’ve had our mal since he was 6 weeks old – he graduated Puppy 1 at Sirius and Puppy 2 at SPCA (no night classes for Puppy 2 at that time at Sirius), but we diligently instilled bite inhibition in him at an early age.  He’s never gone a day in his life not going to an off-leash dog park or a 100% cageless day care (Planet Pooch). Since this incident with the mini-schnauzer (which we found out directly from his owner is a rescue with major fear-aggression) our malamute been ordered to wear a muzzle and be on leash for the rest of his life.  We are working to get the muzzle restriction removed (he just needs an eval from ACC) and also working with Francis on getting him socialized enough to wear the muzzle around with confidence, but it’s drastically reduced our/his quality of life.  We are riddled with guilt, fear, and stress taking our two dogs out now and haven’t been to any off leash dog parks since.  Compounding the VDAU ruling we are in the midst of a civil suit with her in which she is claiming punitive damages (PTSD, fear, sleeplessness, etc.) for our dogs getting into what we think is a minor dog spat. The claims are for some immeasurable amount over $25K!!  Right after the incident we wrote a check for the vet bill which she never cashed, apparently so that she could file this claim against us.  The amount of fear people exhibit towards our dog because of his breed and his size (160 lbs) has been something we’ve grappled with since he was a pup.  We are now working on his “public image” so to speak, with Francis and taking him to meet as many of our neighbors as we can.  Anyways, just wanted to thank you for your wisdom and for posting these podcasts – I’ve really enjoyed them!!

Hello Ian & Co. A question. Is this bite scale copyrighted. In other words, may I copy/paste it onto my web site with the proper credits being given?

One behaviour that my rescue dog exhibited several times in the past was to bite at and hold onto people's clothing without touching their skin. I have never been sure whether this clothes biting was aggressive or not. He would do it without warning, whereas at other times (lunging, snapping and one level 3 bite) there has been a huge amount of barking/snarling. Have you come across this? He's a border collie cross - I wondered if it was a kind of herding behaviour.

By the way we are now very careful to keep him and other people safe by muzzling him or keeping him away from people as appropriate, while continuing to associate people with food rewards in the hope that one day it'll work!

Hello Musicofnote, you may use the bite scale as long as you credit Dr. Dunbar and provide a link to Dog Star Daily. Thank you for asking. Cheers!

Kelly Gorman Dunbar Editor, Dog Star Daily

thank you Ian and Co, I found this very educational.  I have just started as an animal attendant and feel your podcasts will be very helpful.

My, now 2 year old Coton has bitten me at least 12 times when I've either tried to break up a fight between her and her sister (which she never draws blood from(her sister)) or when she is asleep and I startle her when she is asleep or not paying attention and I touch her even lightly.  Most of the btes are a a 3 using you scale.  She graduated from Puppy one, but I never took her further due to some health issues of mine.  The funny thing is she doesn't want anyone else near me.  Or she starts wth a growl.  I have to tell her settle and try to defuse the situation before t turns into a doggie war, where I end up trying to seperate the dogs and get bitten.  Any suggestons?

You have to be able to evaluate aggression so much. You want to be able to control your dog in the future. The research is so important. paxil lawsuit

I think this is definitely very important to do. You have to be able to monitor this in the future. You want to be able to control this also. This is why this is so important. Toronto blinds

Thanks Dunbars!! This podcast was particularly interesting to me, especially since I’m fairly certain I’m one of the owners of the “big malamute” you mentioned at the end. It’s been a challenging last 4 months since this incident happened. intellectual property afghanistan