systems can occur when aggressive and non-aggressive behaviors are displayed
simultaneously. For instance, dogs often growl, lunge and bite with the tail
wagging. This intergrading of aggression with submissive, fear, attachment
and friendly behavior occurred in most cases.
The co-existence of aggressive behavior problems with fear and anxietyrelated
behavior problems is also common. The stereotype of the aggressive
dog as a “dominant, vicious, fearless, unsocialized” animal is not correct.
Many companion dogs appear to balance several competing behavior systems.
For the dog living in the complex human environment, at one time dominant
aggression (for instance) is elicited; at another time, anxiety about the absence
of the owner is elicited; and at yet another time, fear of loud noises or another
type of aggression is elicited. The manner in which these competing systems
are “time-shared”, and integrated physiologically, is fertile ground for future
research