The Use of Novel Stimuli as Indicators of Aggressive Behavior in Dogs

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The Use of Novel Stimuli as Indicators of Aggressive Behavior in Dogs
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Tracy L. Kroll, DVM; Katherine A. Houpt, VMD, PhD, Diplomate ACVB; Hollis N. Erb, DVM, PhD​

To test the predictive value of a doll and an artificial hand, reactions of dogs (n=100) were compared
to histories of behavior toward children. Each dog’s reaction to the doll and the hand was
categorized as normal, fearful, fearfully aggressive, or offensively aggressive. Sixty-five percent
(n=37) of the dogs that had a normal or no reaction to the stimuli had a history of being good with
children. Eighty-eight percent (n=34) of the dogs that had an aggressive reaction to the doll had a
history of aggressive behavior toward a child. Dogs that were fearfully aggressive were significantly
more likely to show fearful responses to the doll, and dogs that were either dominant or fearfully
aggressive were more likely to exhibit aggression of the same type to the hand. The results of this
study indicate that the doll and, to a lesser extent, the hand may be useful components in determining
the aggressive tendencies of dogs. The results also point out the major limitations, because the
false positives and false negatives are too frequent.

J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2004;40:13-19.

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