Can aggression be a learned behaviour?
Ok, let me see if I can put this in way that will make sense this morning. When a dominant dog corrects, not challenge, another dog, and the dog receiving the correction backs off, the show is usually over. There is no need for a secure, dominant dog to continue as he has achieved his objective. If the dog receiving the correction does not back down, there will be an escalation of violence until one for the two dogs submits. Dogs that will continue fighting even after the other dog has submitted are not dominant, they are insecure. Yes, an insecure dog can learn to become aggressive if he continuously gets into fights and wins, but, that is not “true” aggression, that is fear based aggression that will not have a happy ending when that dog meets a real dominant dog. Does that make sense? Let me know and I will add more if needed. Hope I helped.
