Understanding and preventing canine aggression

犬类攻击是对人类和动物安全的严重威胁，也是导致犬只安乐死和被送往收容所的主要行为原因之一。以前关于狗的攻击性的研究主要集中在准确识别具有当前攻击性倾向的个体，并评估不同的治疗方法是否有效。虽然通过药物治疗和强化训练一般可以治疗轻微到中度的攻击性，但由于相关风险或所需时间和精力的水平，所有者可能不愿进行这些治疗。首先，预防这些问题行为是更好的解决方案。当前研究计划的长期目标是确定哪些行为和生理特征以及环境因素使狗易于发展成攻击性。 在这项特定的提案中，我们将研究四个关键问题： 1.特定的气质特征是否使狗倾向于在伴侣犬身上发展出两种常见的攻击类型--占有型和恐惧型攻击？ 2.关键环境因素，如训练、服从和先前的负面经历是否影响攻击性的发展？ 3.具有占有性或恐惧性攻击性的狗的大脑是否有神经解剖学上的变化，这些变化是否与冲动的潜在变化有关？ 4.占有性和基于恐惧的攻击性是否会影响狗的情感状态或感觉。 目前的建议是朝着及早识别处于危险中的狗以及开发早期干预和预防的工具和战略迈出的第一步。

Canine aggression is a serious threat to human and animal safety, and is one of the top behavioural reasons for dog euthanasia and relinquishment to shelters. Previous research on aggression in dogs has largely focused on accurately identifying individuals with current aggressive tendencies, and assessing whether different methods of treatment are effective. While treatment of minor to moderate aggression is generally possible with drug therapy and intensive training, owners may not be willing to undertake these treatments due to associated risks or the level of time and effort required. Prevention of these problem behaviours in the first place is a better solution. The long-term objective of the current research program is to determine which behavioural and physiological characteristics and environmental factors predispose dogs to the development of aggression. In this particular proposal we will examine four key questions: 1. Do particular temperament traits predispose dogs to the development of two common types of aggression in companion dogs - possessive and fear-based aggression? 2. Do key environmental factors, such as training, obedience and prior negative experiences influence the development of aggression? 3. Do dogs with possessive or fear-based aggression have neuroanatomical changes in their brains, and are these changes associated with underlying variations in impulsiveness? 4. Do possessive and fear-based aggression influence the affective states, or feelings of dogs. The current proposal is a first step towards early identification of at-risk dogs, and development of tools and strategies for early intervention and prevention.