01/04/2026
Conflict / aggression is an energy dense behaviour. Energy, like many things, is a limited resource. Animals are only going to use up that energy, which is otherwise better spent, when they perceive they have no other options available to them. That is why animals will only engage in conflict behaviours as a last resort. The reason bite and fight are last on the canine hierarchy of conflict resolving behaviours, after all calming behaviours have failed.
No only does conflict / aggression burn a lot of energy, it also brings with it the potential for injury or death. Another reasons non-human animals will avoid it at all costs. If they get into a fight there is no guarantee they will be the winner and injury brings vulnerability.
Here is a video I took in Egypt that prompted me to write this post. The dogs from the street are trying to break into the Temple over the wall. Probably because people in the temple equals potential food I suspect. But the Temple dogs are saying no you don’t. Street dogs - we’re coming over. Temple dogs - no you aren’t . Watch the posturing of the dog kicking his legs.
This is as far as it went. The street dogs ended up snoozing on the wall and the Temple dogs within the Temple grounds.
Please, next time your dog feels they’re at breaking point, like there are no other behavioural options, take a moment to reflect on why and how they got to this end point. And, ask yourself how you may be able to help them.
