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ZERO-TOLERANCE FOR AGGRESSION

An aggressive altercation is defined as when a dog engages in the below listed aggressive behaviors, WHILE ALSO displaying the aggressive body language described below.

Aggressive body language often includes, but is not limited to:

    - standing rigidly with tense muscles

          as if "on guard."

    - raising the hair on its neck and back

    - maintaining an erect and upward 

          pointing tail that is NOT wagging

    - elongating its neck toward the sky to 

          make itself look taller

    - broadening its shoulders.

These are the brief warning signs of a potential oncoming attack. This body language alone is NOT grounds for dismissal from The Manda Pack, LLC. The body language MUST be accompanied by the aggressive behaviors described below in order to warrant removal from the group. 

Occasionally, a dog may display aggressive body language when it is nervous about a new dog or person arriving at the dog park. In this case, if the body language is temporary, and does not accompany aggressive behavior, the dog does not need to be removed from the group – this type of situation is typical for a dog who is tentative, cautious, or nervous, and they are not being aggressive.

Aggressive behaviors often include but are not limited to:

    - When a dog lunges at another dog or 

          person

    - bears its teeth

    - growls

    - barks loudly and rapidly in a way that is 

         more intense than typical barking

    - claws or scratches at another dog or 

         person

    - mouths/bites/nips another dog or 

        person

    - A dog’s lack of response to human 

        intervention, such as verbal commands, 

        blocking with objects or body parts, 

        physically restraining, pulling, or 

        gently pushing the dog.

While engaging in these behaviors, your dog must ALSO be displaying the body language that signals aggression (which looks different from body language during rough play, as described below).

Playful Body Language, which is required of BOTH dogs:

    - bodies are relaxed (not rigid or 

         tense)

    - tails are wagging

    - hair on the neck is NOT raised

Playful Behavior includes: 

    - the dogs take turns being on top, or 

         laying belly up

    - the dogs take turns chasing, and being 

         chased

    - the dogs take turns playing tug-o-war.

    - circling or hiding behind large obstacles

    - performing a "play bow," where a dog 

         thrusts its front legs forward onto 

         the ground, while keeping their 

         backside in the air - this signals the 

         desire to play. Their tail can either 

         be wagging or erect in this situation

    - staring at each other waiting for the 

         other to perform a play bow to 

         initiate play

    - fluctuating between these 

         aforementioned play behaviors. 

Rough play: If the dogs are displaying body language that is consistent with play as mentioned above, they MAY display these behaviors and it is NOT considered aggression.

    - wrestling

    - bearing teeth

    - growling

    - barking

    - groaning

    - mouthing each other

    - nipping each other

    - scratching.

If a dog is engaged in rough play, they can be stopped more easily with human commands, blocking, pulling, etc.