Labrador Retrievers are considered to be the embodiment of love, loyalty, and friendliness. These pooches are often eager to please, unless they’ve been rescued from difficult beginnings. Past trauma can cloud the characteristic cheerful demeanor with unexpected aggression.
A recent incident occurred in Wales where a charity was informed of 27 abandoned Labs, Goldens, and Cocker Spaniels wandering the streets in need of shelter. Depending on their experiences, they might show mild to extreme signs of aggression.
This isn’t something that time can change; conscious loving efforts are needed to help the pooch regain its original state. This article will discuss the link between past trauma and aggression in Labs, along with ways to deal with the issue.
Understanding Trauma in Rescue Labradors
Being abandoned or neglected is no trivial matter. In an article published in Salon, writer Matthew Rozsa says that an abandoned dog may experience a deep level of psychological trauma. The trauma can be serious enough to make recovery impossible.
This shouldn’t be a surprise because dogs genuinely love their human companions. Many breeds, like Golden and Labrador Retrievers, also experience separation anxiety. They can sustain lasting emotional scars from the betrayal if left to fend for themselves.
Such dogs can display signs of fearfulness and vigilance. This is a defense mechanism that may lead the dog to be aggressive, even biting someone who tries to pet it. Keep in mind that such behavior is different from that of known aggressive breeds like Pit Bulls.
In a recent incident in St. Louis, Missouri, three Pit Bulls mauled a deaf 62-year-old woman, Gladys Anthony, to death and left her husband injured. It was later found that the dogs had displayed such behaviors on two previous occasions, but the owner took no action.
Based on the state’s law, an owner can be charged with a felony if a dog kills a person. TorHoerman Law confirms this, stating that criminal charges are especially brought against owners who knew their dogs to be dangerous or aggressive.
In this particular case, a St. Louis personal injury attorney will also be involved to help compensate for the victim’s medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation. Unlike this case, rescue dogs, especially those known for friendliness, do not have inherent aggression. Their behavior is fear-based but may still cause significant damage if not addressed promptly.
Common Signs of Trauma-Induced Aggression
Labradors are largely friendly breeds known to be affectionate and social. This makes it easier to spot the signs of trauma-induced aggression, which may include the following:
- Growling or baring teeth
- Lunging or snapping behaviors due to a perceived threat
- Biting, which is generally a more severe sign of fear-induced aggression
- Excessive or unusual barking, which is usually a sign of anxiety
- Some dogs even display dominance behaviors, like blocking pathways and barking at people or other dogs
- Stiff body posture with ears forward and tail high
- A sudden and prolonged staring with dilated pupils
- Hypervigilance, displayed by constant scanning of one’s surroundings
PetMD shares some common stimuli that may trigger fear-based aggression in dogs. These include having nails trimmed, being bathed, and strangers reaching toward their heads.
Addressing Aggression Through Training and Support
The three Pit Bulls who mauled poor Gladys Anthony were later euthanized as they posed a serious public threat. She had not even tried to pet them or make eye contact.
Thankfully, the result of trauma is not the same as breed genetics. In other words, rescue Labradors who display aggression can get better with training, love, and support. Here is what you should do.
Work With a Professional
In most cases, professional support is needed to train and calm an aggressive rescue dog. Professionals can accurately identify the root causes of the aggression, thereby ensuring the right training approach.
Based on your Lab’s unique history, the expert will craft a customized behavior modification plan suited to their specific triggers. They will also educate you on identifying your dog’s body language and maintaining training consistency at home.
Together, this may promote faster and more effective results. After all, aggression is one thing where you cannot rely on trial and error.
Create a Safe and Predictable Environment
Consistency is one thing that traumatized Labs are not used to, but they need it. Your first task is to create a safe and calm home with a routine.
It should help provide the pooch with a deep sense of security. In the early days, particularly, avoid loud noises or a chaotic environment.
Monitor signs of aggression every day and be patient. Trust cannot be built overnight. Avoid forced interactions and let the dog approach you at their own pace.
Use Positive Reinforcement Training
Many people make the mistake of trying to curb a Lab’s aggressive behaviors through punishment-based training. However, this seldom works, only arousing more aggression and fear.
There is something known as positive and negative punishment, and the American Kennel Club discusses both under the four quadrants of positive reinforcement training. Also known as operant conditioning, this type of training involves allowing consequences to drive a dog’s behavior.
It’s important not to use all four quadrants of training equally. Positive reinforcement training involves using only positive reinforcement and negative punishment. This involves dealing with the things dogs want, like treats, toys, and attention, by giving or taking them away.
All kinds of rescue dogs, especially Labs, benefit from this type of training. It may encourage desirable behaviors by creating a more positive association with situations that might otherwise trigger aggression.
Did you know that over 6 million animals enter different shelters across the US annually? Out of these, only two-thirds are ever adopted into loving homes.
Dogs are not only the most popular pet to own in our country, but also the most likely to get abandoned. If you have recently adopted such a Lab or know one, remember that they weren’t born angry.
Their growls only echo the neglect and pain they have once endured. If given a chance to heal, there’s room for tremendous progress. Their journey from fear to trust will become a testament to the power of understanding and love.