I used to believe Homo Sapiens was the only species that was irrationally aggressive, but not so.

[Mike 03]

My poor dog wants to make friends with every other dog, and I'm struck by the large percentage of dogs that display aggression to-wards him for no apparent reason.

After a decade of having very troubled dogs that could not socialize with other dogs, I finally have a dog that is your classic, almost cliched, happy-go-lucky loves everyone and everything dog. His tail wags like a windshield wiper. He actually cries and whines when another dog doesn't like him.

But this happens a lot. He is rejected on a day to day basis my more dogs around here than even I was rejected by females in high school!

I don't get it.

So, I don't think we are the only species that irrationally demonstrates aggression to wards our fellow members of the same species.

Perhaps the reason this troubles me is that I've always romanticized dogs. They are my favorite animal, and I have worked with them for years and years and adore them on all levels.

But it saddens me to see my poor dog "reaching out" to make friends with other dogs and so often getting aggression in return.

Just one of the puzzles of life, I guess.

[arbusto_baboso]

1. Could this be due to dogs' long contact with humans, though?

After all, their survival depends on adapting to our behavior, so perhaps they've mimicked it too well?

[EndersDame]

2. Dolphins rape

I saw that on an animal planet show one night when nothing was on. Was surprised

[Juche]

3. Humans are actually less aggressive than many species

Because we have evolved to live in groups, we have developed decent capacity for empathy, moreso than most other species. In fact the fact that we are so despondent about the evil in the world is a sign of the fact that we have the capacity for so much good.

The main caveat is that it is extremely easy to turn off empathy for sentient beings who are outside of the group or a threat to it. Most evil can be traced to this.

But we are generally pretty nice to others in our little social groups, so long as they do not threaten us or the group.

I think other primates are actually more aggressive than we are.

I don't know how well they work, but there are canine pheromones you can give your dog to see if that makes him more likeable. Like I always say; if you can't beat em, manipulate them.

http://www.entirelypets.com/dsp60dogapph.html