Human-directed aggression is a major public health and animal welfare concern, as dog bites can have serious physical and psychological consequences. To explore the roots of this behavior, Baslington-Davies et al. (2023) conducted a systematic review of scientific evidence examining early life risk factors that may predispose dogs to aggression as adults.
The review identified fourteen relevant studies and synthesized their findings to highlight several key risk factors. These included the source of the animal (such as breeders versus shelters), the age at which puppies were rehomed, the reason for acquisition, and the experience level of the owner. Socialization opportunities, consistency in husbandry and training practices, and even litter sex ratios were also noted as potentially influential. Additionally, a family history of aggressive behavior within the pedigree emerged as a risk factor.
The authors emphasize that early experiences that limit the development of coping strategies and routines may increase the likelihood of aggression later in life. For example, insufficient exposure to varied environments and people during critical periods of development may leave dogs less adaptable and more prone to stress-related responses as adults.
This work calls for standardized reporting practices in aggression-related research to improve comparability across studies. By identifying and addressing risk factors early, breeders, shelters, and owners can help reduce the prevalence of human-directed aggression, ultimately improving both dog welfare and public safety.
Source: Baslington-Davies, A., Howell, H., Hogue, T., & Mills, D. (2023). An Assessment of Scientific Evidence Relating to the Effect of Early Experience on the Risk of Human-Directed Aggression by Adult Dogs. Animals, 13.
