Arguments in a home cause the whole family to split into two factions: aggressors and victims. Dogs are forced to take sides because they have a polarity mindset. Dogs see things as either/or, yes/no, safe/danger. 

Dogs and young children have this concrete thinking. In an instance of domestic violence between partners, dogs will immediately assume that if love is not being shown, the victim may be at risk of death. This manifests as insecurities, nervousness, helplessness and even aggression.

Domestic violence causes the dog stress and teaches him that emotions are either aggressive, or feelings of victimization.

This can cause the dog to become sensitive or reactive to humans’ everyday emotional interactions, body language and facial expressions.

If your dog is adopted and reacts aggressively to stress or excitement between family members, that may be an indication the dog is holding trauma from being exposed to traumatic experiences or domestic violence.  

This video is about Tbone, a victim of domestic violence.  He gets very stressed if you approach him with something in your hands 

Dogs and children are always the victims, even if they are only witnessing the abuse.  They should not be medicated, corrected, or trained out of it. They need healing first. Then, they need to learn new associations for highly-emotional physical interactions between family members. 

If you feel your dog is reacting strangely or aggressively to loud voices, gestures, and/or physical interactions between humans, your dog may need help.

Visit www.holistidogtraining.org/onlinetraining to schedule a training consultation.

#seespotheal, #holisticdogtraining, #holisticdogparenting, #domesticviolence