Dog Breeds are getting a bum rap on bad behavior

Don't blame it on a breed problem. Bad behavior = bad training. New research says environment (the owner) is the problem... not the breed when it comes to dogs behaving poorly.

More fuel to the fire? Another study shows aggressive dogs won't change their stripes if they have aggressive owners. Re: Applied Animal Behavior Science - using non-aversive or neutral training methods such as additional exercise or rewards elicited very few aggressive responses.

- “This study highlights the risk of dominance-based training, which has been made popular by TV, books and punishment-based training advocates,”Herron said. “These techniques are fear-eliciting and may lead to owner-directed aggression.”

Solutions: 1/An owner who takes an interest and interacts properly with the pet and 2/obedience classes.