Thus, they may not be practical in the research setting. Instead the challenge is to learn how to work around these problems. The animals we have been experiencing problems with are generally fear biters. They show a combination of submissive and aggressive behaviors. Submissive behavior includes holding the head down and looking away from an approaching person, hiding in the corner, and submissive urination.
Aggressive behavior includes grimacing, snarling and snapping when handled.
Fear biters are perhaps the most difficult of dogs to work with, because any type of aggressive action on the part of the animal handler exacerbates the submissive response and the fear which leads to aggressive behavior as a means of defense. To achieve this effect, a combination of confidence and calmness by the handler must prevail. If you act fearful, the dog will know it still has the upper hand. There are several things an animal handler can do to reduce the initial stress of handling the fear biter. which may greatly improve subsequent interactions with the animal. Do not stare directly at the animal.