Behavior Problems That Arise From A Dog's Sense Of Touch

The sense of touch probably leads to more serious problems in the dog's human relationships than any other. And dog owners are typically not keen to the upcoming information regarding a dog's nature. When a dog is stimulated by touch, the incoming visual, auditory, and tactile nerve fibers all converge initially in the unconditioned defensive reflex centers, the sense of touch somehow appears to take precedence over the others in producing defensive behavior.

Dog reflex researchers described docile, submissive dogs who would bite aggressively, repeatedly, after surgical removal of their cerebral cortices when the base of their necks (a kill-area attacked by predators or enemies) were simply touched! This indicates that the nerve centers for bite inhibition are not a brain-stem activity, but are in the conscious cerebral cortex. Biting when touched in this sensitive area is an involuntary brain stem activity. The fact that control, or inhibition, of the bite behavior lies in the "gray matter" of the brain explains why dozing or sleeping dogs may automatically bite without inhibition when touched, or when they get stepped on which is probably the basis for the ancient wisdom, "Let sleeping dogs lie."

Defensive and/or aggressive responses to touch seem contrary for an animal born in close physical contact with litter mates, providing needed warmth and comfort. Defensive and aggressive behavior between puppies is seen when play-fighting starts between 2 ½ and 4 weeks of age and continues into adulthood. However, if the family toddler is the target of the play-bite, critical problems result, especially if the pup is severely punished immediately after the incident. Punishment creates a negative association of pain and social rejection between infant and the maturing dog. The dog then often becomes defensive, growls or tries to avoid the child's approaches. Parents then may scold or further punish the dog, creating an escalating, negative social relationship between the dog and its family members.

These cases can usually be resolved when the parents understand the causes, and are willing to undertake a program to inhibit the negative, learned emotional association with the child, replacing it an emotionally positive association provided by the parents' example when the child is first perceived by the dog. However, it should be mentioned that emotional switch-conditioning requires committed and enlightened parents who will follow both the spirit and letter of the techniques used in the program.