Aggression, defined as an "attack or threat of attack" (Francis, 1988), is the main reason dogs are referred to behavioural specialists (Landsberg et ai, 2003). Aggression is contextual, such that the dog's motivation will depend on the circumstances,and in some situations it can be an appropriate response. For example, dogs that defend people from attack may be considered to be acting appropriately. Aggression in dogs can range from a variety of subtle postures and facial expressions to a full-blown attack. The most common form of aggression, dominance aggression, is characterised by aggression directed towards family members in competitive situations or in response to what a dog perceives as dominant behaviour on the part of the owner (Askew, 2003).
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