Canine aggression can be divided into three categories. They are:
a. Dominance-related Aggression
This is one of the most commonly presented aggression behavioral problem presented to our office. This disorder is typically exhibited by young adult males (may be exhibited by any dog). These dogs growl, snap, or bite when certain items are threatened: food, bedding area, or a favorite person. They also respond aggressively to perceived challenges such as direct stares, punishment, physical handling, and on occasion petting.
Therapy:
Owners should not punish or attempt to "win" a confrontation with these dogs. The greatest success is in reconditioning these dogs to accept the owner's dominance by reward-based behavioral modification training. A muzzle or a head collar such as the Promise System (Ameri-Pet Inc. Minneapolis, MN) are indispensable for control of the dog. Drug therapy (Progestins) may also be of great value during the training period.
This behavior is better prevented than treated. This type of behavior may be prevented by establishing a social order in your household when the puppy is first brought home. You should greatly socialize your puppy (introduce to as many people, places, situations and other animals as you can) during the first 15 weeks of his\her life.
A fearful dog may display aggressive behavior toward the owner if placed in the right situation. Fearful dogs are not likely to solicit petting and then growl when petted (as are dominance-related dogs).
Therapy:
Treatment for these dogs involves the reduction of anxiety, reward-based training, and a gradual desensitization of the stimuli eliciting the unwanted behavior. Anxiolytic drugs may be of benefit during the training period.
Dogs exhibiting aggression towards children may be defensive rather than dominant. These dogs often generalize that all small children are going to torment them therefore they growl and bite out of defense at the start.
Therapy:
Treatment includes prevention of injury (the dog should be muzzled when with the child and all interactions should be supervised). If the aggression is mild then therapy should consist of positive interaction modification. The dog should not receive any attention in the absence of the child and should be lavished in the presence of the child. This places an emphasis on reward for tolerating the child. This is repeated over and over until the dog is desensitized to the child's presence. If the dog repeatedly reacts with aggression and a child free environment can not be maintained, then we suggest removing the dog from the home. No pet is worth keeping at the expense of disfigurementof a loving child or other family member.
This type of aggression may be displayed in the house, yard, while on a walk with owner, or in the car.
Therapy:
Treatment is centered around desensitization (desensitization means to expose an animal to a certain stimulus repeatedly enough that they no longer find the stimulus to be bothersome, fearful, threatening, etc.) and counter-conditioning of your pet to the stimulus. Appropriate safety precautions should be undertaken (muzzle or head collar). The dog is first trained to respond to simple commands like sit, stay, down and stay with a food reward. Next, the dog is exposed to the target stimulus while under proper restraint (muzzle and leash). The intensity of the stimulus should be gradually increased as the target approaches closer and more quickly. Again, positive reinforcement (food) is used for good or wanted behavior. Once mastered on the leash, the dog should be put through the same paces off the leash.
This type of aggression is likely to be directed toward people in threatening situations, such as in veterinary clinics, dog shows, etc.
Therapy:
These dogs should be kept on a leash at all times. Treatment is targeted at reducing the stress and anxiety, and gradual desensitization to whatever is eliciting the behavior (as described above).
In general, predatory behavior, whether toward people or other animals, is best stopped by restraint: dogs should not be free to chase joggers, cats, sheep, deer, etc. A unique and very dangerous form of this behavior is aggression directed towards human infants. These attacks often occur instinctively secondary to a infants cry or odor. No dog regardless of familiarity should be left alone and unsupervised with a small infant.
Therapy:
There is no therapy reliable enough to truly be trusted to alter an animals ingrained instincts. The best therapy is prevention and proper socialization as a puppy.
Aggression towards animals
may be divided into three types:
Household aggression is often a conflict of dominance, typically between dogs of the same sex. These attacks are very injurious and may be fatal.
Therapy:
Neutering of both or all pets is recommend. Control of the animals is a must to enable you to separate the dogs if a fight occurs. This may be accomplished through the use of a head collar placed on both individuals. When greetings are made, all greetings should be played down so that they are not vying for your attention. Emphasis is placed on desensitization and on removal of all reasons to fight (food, toys etc.). Both individuals should be schooled in basic obedience training separately. Once this is mastered, The aggressor or initiator should be told to maintain a down-stay position while the other individual is petted and played with in the first ones view. This is repeated and confrontational aspects are introduced in a controlled manner.
2. Other or unfamiliar dogs or animals
Aggression towards other animals like cats, squirrels are likely to be exhibiting a predatory behavior. Prevention is the best treatment for these animals. If directed at unfamiliar dogs, it may be a problem rooted in a dominance or territorial behavior. These dogs should be treated by using desensitization techniques (controlled exposures at a distance then gradually increase the intensity over time). As described in "Territorial Aggression". Your dog must first have a good understanding of basic obedience training.
Best of luck and always be well prepared when dealing with an aggressive animal.
We hope that you will find this information helpful in your quest for better pet care. If you have any questions or comments, please call your veterinarian's office, or feel free to e-mail us.
David E. Hammett, DVM
and the Staff of All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, PC
