“Behavioral Characteristics Associated with Dog Bites to Children Presenting to an Urban Trauma Centre”

Reisner, Ilana R.; Nance, Michael L.; Zeller, Jason S.; Houseknecht, Eileen M.; Kassam-Adams, Nancy; Wiebe, Douglas J. Injury Prevention, 2011, Vol. 17, 348-353. doi:10.1136/ip.2010.029868

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Abstract: 

“Children are the most frequent victims of dog bites presenting to hospital emergency departments (ED), but there are gaps in understanding of the circumstances of such bites. The objective of this study was to characterise the behavioural circumstances of dog bites by interviewing children ≤17 years (or parent proxies for children ≤6 years) presenting with dog bite injuries to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia about the bite incident, its setting and associated interactions.

Of 203 children enrolled, 51% were <7 years old and 55% were male. 72% of children knew the biting dog. Most bites to younger children occurred during positive interactions, initiated by the child, with stationary, familiar dogs, indoors. Most older bitten children had been active (e.g., outdoors), unfamiliar with the dog and not interacting.

Whereas face bites predominated (70%) in the younger group (<7 years), bites to extremities predominated (72%) in the older group. Recognition of the two distinctive behavioural and circumstantial subgroups of dog bites that emerged can lead to more effective prevention strategies.”

http://journalistsresource.org/studies/government/municipal/dog-bites-attacks-research-review

This Dog Bite "Fact" Could Get You In Trouble

Are some dogs safe while others are not? A recent study finds this common belief is not spot on.

• By Julie Hecht on May 26, 2015

Mother’s Day, Father's Day, and Scurvy Awareness Day come only once a year, but I assume you don't neglect your mom and dad the other 364 days of the year, or that you stop appreciating oranges after May 2nd. The same can be said for Dog Bite Prevention Week(#preventdogbites), which arrives each May to promote safe interactions between dogs and people. I don’t want to avoid dog bites just once a year. I’m going for 52 weeks a year, with every dog I meet.

Dogs and people need this yearly event. Dog Bite Prevention Week is an opportunity to learn the realities of dog bites (for example that children—particularly young children—are more likely to be bitten), as well as prevention tips focusing on both dog and human behavior. Think dog bites come out of nowhere? Dog Bite Prevention materials highlight the role that environment, social and other factors can play in whether or not a bite is likely to take place.

Dog bites hurt people and dogs; they can lead to relinquishment, heartache and worse. Taking dog bites seriously means holding up our commonly held beliefs about dog bites and testing whether they hold water. For example, there’s a common myth that, if clarified, could entice more people to dive into dog bite prevention resources (which, after all, are best attended to before a bite).

The Myth: Aggressive Dogs Bite
Hang with me, I haven’t completely lost my mind. You may very well have come across the phrase, “aggressive dog” in an article about a dog who has bitten, but here’s the kicker. The phrase “aggressive dog” gives the impression that you can spot an “aggressive dog” a mile away, almost like the Looney Tunes cartoon of the bull gearing up to charge. Or maybe “aggressive dog” gives you the impression that if you just steer clear of “those dogs” (whatever that means to you) you’ll be a-ok. “Aggressive dog” gives the feeling that some dogs are good and “safe,” while others are bad and “unsafe.”

The Truth: Dogs Bite
Unfortunately, aggression is not “a fixed characteristic,” explainsRachel Casey (@DrRachelCasey), a veterinary surgeon, animal behaviorist, and welfare scientist at the University of Bristol. She and her colleagues recently published a study exploring the risk factors for human-directed aggression in companion dogs living in the UK. In the study, around 4,000 dog owners reported whether their dog displays aggression (barking, lunging, growling, or biting) in any of three different contexts: toward strangers in the house, strangers in the street, or family members.

Instead of finding that some dogs are universally “safe” while others are universally “unsafe,” dogs’ displays of aggressive behaviors depended more on the situation than on the individual. This finding, the researchers explain, supports “the current hypothesis in clinical behavior practice that dogs usually learn to show aggression in response to specific perceived threats occurring in particular contexts, rather than aggression being an overall characteristic of individuals.”For example, a dog may show aggressive displays toward family members around resources, like their food or toys, but be totally fine when new people stop by the house. Another dog might behave as if noisy people (aka people on roller-skates) are the devil incarnate, but unknown people traveling by foot are just dandy.

This also means learning could play a role in dog aggression, and dogs could have the potential to change their behaviors if they learn something different. For example, check out this short video of Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, working with a dog who initially is not keen on people coming near the car. By the end of the video, the dog is singing quite a different tune.

Rachel Casey's research belongs in the public eye, and she has done a great job sharing her study. Recently, at 'The Conversation,' she explained, “Understanding that any dog can potentially be aggressive given the right circumstances is key to reducing injuries. Approaching an unfamiliar dog without checking with the owner first is not a good idea, even if it looks cute and friendly with others. And owners need to understand that even their gorgeous, loving pet can show aggression if exposed to a situation where it feels anxious or threatened enough.”Taking dog bites seriously means not painting some dogs in rosy, “that dog could never bite” glasses and others in tinted “biter” glasses.

Ready to jump into dog bite prevention? In the next post, I’ll direct you to resources covering the when, where, and why of dogs bites and how to avoid them.

Additional reading

Human Animal Science (@HumanAnimalSci) interview with Rachel Casey. 2014. Aggressive behaviour in dogs: science that bites.

Casey, R. 2013. Aggressive behaviour in dogs: a survey of UK dog owners. Reigning Cats and Dogs.

Casey, R. 2014. Dog aggression has little to do with breed, so test the owners. The Conversation.

Reference

Casey, R.A., Loftus, B., Bolster, C., Richards, G.J. and Blackwell, E.J. 2013. Human directed aggression in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): occurrence in different contexts and risk factors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 152, 52-63.

The views expressed are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Scientific American.

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/dog-spies/this-dog-bite-fact-could-get-you-in-trouble/

Compulsive Lying Disorder: Description, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

 BY LEXIS CLARK

We’ve all told white lies before. Perhaps a close friend asked you for your opinion on her horrendous outfit and you informed her that it was well worth her money or maybe you called in sick to work when, in reality, a couple of your friends were heading out for a day of fun at the beach that you didn’t want to miss out on; regardless of the situation, lying is a part of life. However, allowing white lies to pile up can pose a severe threat when dishonesty becomes your habitual method of dealing with people. If the lies extend far enough, they can evolve into compulsive lying disorder. In the sections to follow, we will examine this particular disorder, as well as its symptoms and treatment options.

To learn more about compulsive lying disorder and the ways in which you can detect and stop a lie in its tracks, check out this course on how to become a human lie detector.

What is Compulsive Lying Disorder?

Compulsive lying often develops when individuals are very young and heightens with age when more opportunities for fabrication are presented. Gradually throughout childhood and adolescence into adulthood, lying becomes more and more frequent, eliciting a sense of control in the affected individuals. They experience a sense of power over situations when they lie and become uneasy and uncomfortable when forced to tell the truth. Soon enough, dishonesty becomes habit, which then leads to classification in the compulsive lying disorder category.

Compulsive Lying Disorder is frequently confused with pathological lying, but it’s important to recognize the difference between the two. Compulsive liars engage in dishonesty because it is their automatic response to questions and situations, while pathological liars do so in order to manipulate other people and achieve their goals with complete disregard for the feelings of others. However, both compulsive and pathological lying is associated with antisocial personality disorder, more commonly known as “psychopathic behavior”.

For more information about the various aspects of personality that can make an individual more or less susceptible to developing disorders such as the one described above, take a look at this course on the psychology of personality.

What are the Symptoms?

• Frequent Unnecessary Dishonesty

The symptom most easily recognized when diagnosing Compulsive Lying Disorder is frequent unnecessary dishonesty. Individuals will lie about anything and everything, even in cases when they have nothing to gain from concealing the truth. For example, an individual affected with this unfortunate disorder may lie when asked what his or her favorite food or drink is. In the majority of situations in which this question is asked there is no logical reason for answering dishonestly, yet a compulsive liar will automatically. This often results in inconsistency in relationships when the compulsive liar happens to be incapable of keeping track of his or her lies.

• Attention Seeking Behavior

Compulsive lying disorder often develops very early in childhood due to a child’s need or desire to seek out attention from caregivers and peers. By fabricating stories in childhood, they often gained the fascination and disbelief of those around them, which led to others paying more attention to the extraordinary nature of the child’s story. Children have vivid imaginations, so at first parents often brush off the child’s lies and allow them to get away with it under the assumption that the child will simply “grow out of it”. However, if the lying behavior is allowed to go on too long, then it becomes nearly irreparable and compulsive lying disorder develops.

• Story Fabrication

Compulsive liars feel the constant need to convey to others that they are superior and deserving of more attention then the other children in their cohort. In order to achieve this goal, they construct elaborate stories about themselves, often involving fantastic adventures and incredible feats that are intended to display them as a hero in the eyes of their peers. However, once the individual is caught in the lie, they are looked upon with contempt and dislike, which then causes them to lie even more in order to shake the unpleasant label. Once the compulsive liar reaches adulthood, these mystical stories because more grounded in nature, but still maintain their awe-inspiring intent.

• Covering Up

Though compulsive liars often take extreme care to keep others under the spell of their deception, once in awhile the web of lies unravels and the liar is seen as is without any of his dishonest walls. When this occurs, the liar works quickly and frantically to rebuild those walls, constructing more lies in order to rebuild himself into what he was previously seen as. This often involves elaborate stories of being falsely accused, constructing lie after lie with the intention of defending his or her supposed innocence. If this method, as well as any other attempt at lying, fails and the compulsive liar is forced to tell the truth, he or she will often become incredibly nervous and display a great deal of uncomfortable behavior.

• Same Story, Different Characters

Plagiarism is a key factor in the life of a compulsive liar. This often involves twisting and warping stories heard from peers, acquaintances, or movie plotlines into plausible adventures that could have occurred in the liar’s life. Crafting these storylines takes a great deal of effort on the part of the individual since the biggest fear of a compulsive liar is being “found out”. Of course, much of this effort is done subconsciously, which results in individuals being unable to recall that the story is a lie. If a compulsive liar was attached to a lie detector machine, it’s likely that their statements would come across as the truth simply because they’ve told them so many times that they sincerely believe the fabricated event actually occurred.

• Low Self-Esteem

Many cases of compulsive lying disorder development can be attributed to low feelings of self worth and an inferiority complex. These factors typically influence individuals to seek out alternative methods, including lying or crafting stories, to feel better about themselves. However, when the dishonesty and false endeavors fail to impress those around the compulsive liar, their self esteem sinks even lower, which causes more extreme fabrications to come to the surface.

• Personality Disorders and Addiction

The two main personality disorders that contribute to the development of compulsive lying disorder are bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, more commonly known as ADHD. Bipolar disorder causes affected individuals to experience intense long lasting emotional highs and lows, sinking them into the depths of depression for months at a time before switching to the manic phase, which functions much like ADHD. Once the individual has entered the manic phase, they are more likely to exhibit dishonest behavior and speech, which leads to eventual compulsive lying disorder. Individuals affected with ADHD experience much of the same since the disorder influences them to exhibit impulsive behavior. Addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling, or other similar factors often causes individuals to lie about their whereabouts or actions, which can potentially lead to the development of compulsive lying disorder.

To learn more about ADHD from someone who has experienced it first hand, check out this course on the disorder itself.

Treatment Methods

The most difficult aspect of providing treatment to individuals affected with compulsive lying disorder is the fact that those affected need to seek out treatment and cannot be pushed into receiving it against their will. The individuals must recognize that they have a problem and that it is, in fact, a problem. If the subject sees no error in continually behaving and speaking dishonestly, then any treatment approach would be futile.

However, when individuals do seek out treatment on their own, compulsive lying disorder can be overcome through the use of behavior modification. This typically involves a counselor playing the role of an acquaintance or significant other and conversing with the compulsive liar to assist in dispel the lying habit.

For more information about therapy methods that use behavior modification to ease or eliminate a disorder, take a look at this course on an introduction to cognitive behavior therapy or this blog post on cognitive bias modification.

blog.udemy.com

Do dangerous dog breeds exist?

By Dogtime

Our country seems to be in the grip of a dog-bite epidemic. Current statistics are approximately 4.7 million bites per year, with about 1 million of those bites requiring medical care. One to two dozen people each year in the United States will lose their lives to a dog attack. These numbers may actually be underestimated, since the cause of death may be listed as bacterial infection if the victim dies days or weeks after the initial incident. The financial cost cost of this epidemic is very high, estimated to be over one billion dollars per year. In 2005, the last year for which figures have been published, over $317 million dollars were paid in insurance claims for dog bites, accounting for approximately one-third of all homeowner’s liability claims.

In response to this overwhelming problem, many localities have attempted to put restrictions on certain breeds of dogs. Some insurance companies now deny coverage to homeowners who own breeds that are “blacklisted.” In each study that references the breed of dog involved in fatal attacks, Pit Bull Terriers are cited more than any other, followed closely by Rottweilers and German Shepherds. These studies claim that Pit Bull Terriers are responsible for over 1/3 of the attacks on record in the last twenty years.

Are some breeds of dogs truly more dangerous than others?

Certain types of dogs were selectively bred for tasks that require aggressive behaviors. Pit Bulls and other game dogs were developed for fight drive and high prey drive, which allowed them to excel in blood sports, where they were encouraged to kill other animals. But they were also bred to be loyal companions to their people. Other types of dogs–dogs not bred for aggressive behaviors, such as Golden Retrieversand even a Pomeranian–have also been involved in fatal attacks.

The most extensive study to catalog breeds of dogs involved in attacks was done by the American Veterinary Task Force on Canine Aggression and Humane-Canine Interactions, published in June 2001. Some analysts have stated that this study indicated that dogs that were consistently high on the list correlated to the breeds of larger dogs which were more popular at that time. In the 1970s, Dobermans were very popular, hence a higher number of attacks by Dobermans during the 70s. Pit Bulls started rising in popularity in the 1980s, which is when their numbers began to rise, andRottweiler numbers rose for the same reason in the 1990s. Since there are no studies available comparing the number of non-fatal bites by breed, it is hard to know if smaller dogs, who are less likely to be capable of administering a fatal bite, showed a similar correlation during the decades of their greatest popularity.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) states in an article on their website entitled “Are Certain Breeds of Dogs More Aggressive Than Others?” that the above-cited study did not prove that certain breeds of dogs are more dangerous than others, but simply proved what veterinarians have long believed for years: that nearly any dog can be aggressive, or non-aggressive, based on his early training, socialization and environment.

Here are some tips the AAHA offers to help you ensure that your own pet will not become a danger to others:

• Keep your pet on a leash or safely confined at all times. Unrestrained dogs are involved in approximately 82 percent of all fatal attacks. Having control of your pet on a secure leash is fundamental to preventing dog bites. Keep in mind that when in an unfamiliar environment, a stranger may startle your dog, so discourage unnecessary interactions with people you do not know and trust.

• If your dog is going to be left alone outdoors, this should be done only in a very secure fenced area.For most dogs, this means a a yard with a six- or eight-foot-high wooden or chain-link fence, which has been secured at the bottom so that the dog cannot dig out.

• Socialize puppies in a safe, non-threatening environment, making sure they have positive experiences interacting with other people and animals.

• Spay or neuter your pet. Males who are intact (notneutered) are more likely to be involved in fatal attacks; 80 percent of recorded attacks are by intact males.

• Teach your pet bite inhibition. Pups will mouth and chew on not just your furniture, but also your hands and clothing, until they have been taught that this behavior is unacceptable. Usually this can be stopped by distracting the dog with a quick sound (like a sharp “ow, ouch!”) and redirecting the dog to an appropriate behavior, such as playing with a chew toy. If puppy mouthing persists, work with a professional trainer experienced in solving this issue. Make sure your dog grows up knowing that it is never appropriate to put his mouth on people, in any context.

• Supervise your dog, and watch for any signs ofaggressive behavior. Watch your dog closely for any sign that he could be a danger to others.

Certain behaviors, such as territorial aggression, can never be solved if a dog is left outdoors alone. In this case, responsible management requires that the dog not be allowed to “control territory” but be kept safely indoors and exercised on-leash, while being trained to look to his owner as the individual who will protect the territory.

Just as important is properly exercising your dog. Pent-up energy definitely contributes to frustration aggression, and other inappropriate behaviors related to lack of impulse control. If you have bought or adopted a dog with a high energy level and you cannot physically exercise the dog yourself, hire an experienced dog walker or a dog trainer who will agree to exercise the dog for you each day. Be sure that your dog is walked with a collar and leash that is tailored to your personal dog. For example, dogs with pulling issues will be much more under control when walked with a head-halter, such as a Gentle Leader. Certain types of dogs are best exercised in a large fenced area, with an adult playing fetch with them, if they are too strong for their owners to control on leash.

If you are choosing a dog as companion for a family with children then you can up your chances of success if you choose a breed of dog known for tolerance, and one which was not developed for high working and prey drives. You may also wish to consider adopting a rescued mixed breed dog that has been fostered by experienced foster parents who happen to have children.

Most importantly, be responsible with your dog, training and managing it throughout the dog’s lifetime in a manner that will decrease the likelihood that it will ever bite anyone…because, at the end of the day, the “breed” that is most dangerous to everyone is the one on the other end of the leash – the irresponsible dog owner.

Adapted from the American Animal Hospital Association

Visit our dog breed center for in-depth profiles of over 150 dog breeds.

The control of different behaviors is a complex process that is influenced by both genetics and environmental factors.

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Canine aggression and genetic control

Date:

May 26, 2010

Source:

Norwegian School of Veterinary Science

Summary:

The control of different behaviors is a complex process that is influenced by both genetics and environmental factors. A new study throws light on interesting connections between canine aggression and genes that are involved in neurotransmission in the brain

An angry dog. The control of different behaviours is a complex process that is influenced by both genetics and environmental factors.

Credit: iStockphoto/Anton Ferreira

The control of different behaviours is a complex process that is influenced by both genetics and environmental factors. A new study throws light on interesting connections between canine aggression and genes that are involved in neurotransmission in the brain.

For his doctoral thesis, Jørn Våge has studied genetically controlled behavioural aspects in dogs, with particular focus on aggression.

Behavioural problems in dogs, particularly aggression towards people, are often the reason why otherwise healthy dogs are put down. Aggression and anxiety-related behaviour also has a negative effect on animal welfare because stress influences both the mental and physical health of dogs.

Different breeds of dog with various forms of specific behaviour act as genetic isolates and are therefore suited for use in studies of complex characteristics such as behaviour. Similarities in diseases in dogs and humans also provide good opportunities for comparative studies in the field of medical genetics and dogs can therefore be valuable genetic models for various human disorders.

The central nervous system and its neurotransmitters and intricate networks of receptors play a key role in this study of behavioural genetics. Serotonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters in the brain and have an important function in the control of behaviour. Many of the medicines that are used for the treatment of psychological disorders have an effect on these neurotransmitters.

The neurotransmitter systems have many different receptors and enzymes that regulate the production and breakdown of psychoactive substances. All stages of these reactions are controlled by genes and can be potential sources of behavioural changes.

The doctoral study has revealed a variation in genes related to serotonin and dopamine in dogs. Våge used these variations as markers in the study and discovered connections between individual variants of genes and aggressive behaviour in dogs.

The thesis also covers studies of genetic activity (expression studies) in different areas of the brain in aggressive and non-aggressive dogs respectively.

Story Source:

The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Norwegian School of Veterinary Science. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100525090552.htm

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Banning pit bulls is a knee-jerk response to a larger problem

Junior, a pit bull mix was found in malnourished condition at a foreclosed home in Jackson and was nursed back to health at Jackson County Animal Shelter in 2014. "Pit bull" is a catch-all term used to describe the latest in a series of dog types regarded as "problem animals," the writer argues. (Mlive.com files)

Laura A. Reese is a dog shelter volunteer and professor of political science at Michigan State University whose research includes the plight of homeless animals and how municipalities and nonprofits can most effectively provide animal welfare services.


Laura A. Reese 

By Laura A. Reese

When faced with complex social problems, we tend to go for the easy solution. Terrorism? Prohibit Muslims from entering the country. Undocumented immigrants? Build a big wall and deport everyone who might be Mexican. Mixed-breed dogs kill a child? Prohibit the ownership of pit bulls.

But even these seemingly easy solutions are complex in implementation.

Breed-specific legislation — in this case a ban on pit bulls — is just the latest example of a simplistic solution to a complex problem. After a 4-year-old boy was killed Dec. 2 by a four "pit bulls" in Detroit, many have called for such a ban in the city, and City Council President Brenda Jones said the council "will take a fresh look into existing laws to determine what may be needed to provide a safer environment and protection from vicious animals."

Chained in backyards, starved, forced to fight, overbred due to greed, blamed for their own abuse and the last dog waiting to be adopted at the shelter, the pit bull is the ultimate contemporary "problem animal." In every decade, one breed of dog becomes the representative of canine evil. In the 1960s it was the German shepherd; in the 1970s, the Doberman pinscher. Yet most of the breeds that carried the stigma of viciousness are now again members of the "respectable" dog community.

A reality check is in order when communities are tempted to turn to a breed ban, particularly as it relates to pit bulls:

• "Pit bull" is not a breed, but simply a term used to describe a variety of mixed-breeds with similar characteristics. DNA tests of pit bull-looking dogs often come up with unexpected results; one dog that looked like a pit bull turned out to be 40 percent poodle.

• According to the American Temperament Test Society, 86 percent of American pit bull terriers tested had a good temperament. That's better than 121 other breeds, including golden retrievers and beagles.

• In a recent dog-bite study covering 40 years and multiple countries, the American Veterinary Medical Association, concluded that pit bulls — or any other group of dogs — should not be considered disproportionately dangerous.

• Breed bans are impractical and ineffective. Even if particular breeds could be identified as high risk, "absurdly large numbers of dogs of targeted breeds" would have to be removed from a community in order to prevent even one serious dog bite-related injury.

• Breed bans are expensive due to the costs of enforcement, kenneling, euthanasia and litigation.

At root, the issue of vicious dogs is far more complex than a particular breed. The myriad causes of dog bites include heredity, socialization and training, dog health and victim behavior. Research on dog behavior has repeatedly found that lack of socialization, particularly when dogs are left alone in fenced yards or chained behind homes, can cause aggressive behavior.

Ultimately, the solution to vicious dogs is going to require effort on a variety of fronts: improving animal welfare services in the city, modifications in ordinances about chaining, education about proper animal care, crackdowns on dog fighting and animal abuse, and enforcement of ordinances already in place. It will take increased resources and a joint effort on the part of the city, nonprofits, schools and community groups.

Banning all dogs that are judged (or guessed) to have particular physical traits is not a simple, effective, implementable or humane solution to the real problem of animal welfare and human safety in Detroit. Knee-jerk reactions rarely are.

Do you have a guest column on a statewide topic to share? Email Opinion Curator Dan Hawkins at dhawkins@mlive.com. And be sure to check out our guidelines for submission.

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/12/banning_pit_bulls_is_a_knee-je.html#comments