Predatory aggression
The initial components of predatory aggression involve intense visual scanning
and attending to the area where “prey” are anticipated, followed by
stalking and chasing of a wide range of moving stimuli. Barking, nipping,
and/or biting complete the sequence; growling is apparently not observed.
This behavior may be directed to cats, birds, squirrels, smaller dogs, etc.
(and in these cases may involve killing), or towards children or adults who
move in a particular way, usually quickly. In the cases included in the present
paper, predatory aggression towards people did not involve more than inhibited
biting and occurred only in dogs with histories of predatory behavior
towards other animals.