There are no bad dogs. Physical punishment has never worked to reduce aggression in the long term. In fact, studies have shown that it will increase dog aggression towards people (Casey et al, 2014). Therefore, it is advised that this is not used (Hsu and Sun, 2010).
1. Prevention
Prevention when finding your perfect pup would be for the dogs to be genetically screened for example for neuro diseases on dogs who carry such genes like L2HC where it takes both parents to have L2HC for offspring to inherit the disorder (Henderson, 2014).
Prevent brain deformities by breeding dogs who are of sound structures and do not show any signs of exaggerated features, such as the extreme shorten skull shape.
Additionally, when choosing a dog make sure the pups are able to move feely and can communicate effectively i.e., show their teeth, to prevent a need to demonstrate extreme aggressive behaviours such as biting.
2. Improve Diet
Changing a dog's diet should not be underestimated as food affects their ‘emotional state’ (Mugford, 1987, p. 1046) and over all wellbeing. Moreover, it is important to make sure the dog is getting their complete nutritional needs meet. A deprivation of nutrients can lead to issues with ‘the development of the central nervous system’ affecting the ‘behaviour and emotional stability’ (Mugford, 1987, p.1047) of the animal.
Prpar Mihevc and Majdič (2019, p.604) recommend ‘behavioural enrichment alongside with antioxidant rich diet and exercise … for maintaining cognitive function and slowing the progression of CCD in senior pets’. CCD stands for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, which is a condition that affects dogs brain function including behaviours such as aggression.
Therefore, change in diet may not cure CCD but it may be helpful for owners to know they can slow the process down. Prpar Mihevc and Majdič (2019, p.604) study also highlighted that food supplements available for senior dogs could be known as a ‘neuroprotective’ which help to slow down the ageing process and the deterioration in cognitive function.
3. Co-operative care
Cooperative care has been used in the zoological sphere for a while now. Where they basically teach the animal to tolerate the uncomfortable or counter intuitive behaviour to benefit the animal.
A dog who is injured will likely need to be crated so being comfortable using a crate is beneficial for the dog’s welfare. Muzzle training also will subsequently benefit the dog in future, as a dog who is in a lot of pain may try to bite and must be muzzled for people’s safety. Consequently, a dog who is desensitised to the muzzle, will not be in additional discomfort from having to wear one.
A dog who is well socialised, has been desensitised to many environments and people, being handled, and see people and other dogs positively are more likely to be tolerant of discomfort.
4. Give your dog and other peoples dog space
Educating yourself as an owner on what a dog is. A dog is not going to be friends with everyone, and not everyone will want to be friends with them, and there are social and physical boundaries. Therefore, it is important to socialise dogs to different environments to build confidence and desensitise them to triggers.
But more importantly, even with the best intentions and exposure, aggression may occur so it is essential for owners to know their own dogs’ signs of discomfort. By understanding their dog’s body language and advocating for them by creating space, an escape route or rewarding their tolerance. In other words, be your dog’s protector and take note of how they are acting and allow for their boundaries.
5. Neutering
According to Beaver (1999), Askew (1996), Landsberg and Hunthausen (1997) neutering can reduce aggressive behaviours of dogs. he evidence overall suggests that prevention and reducing the chance of aggressive behaviours is fundamental, although not all aggression can be prevented. In my opinion, neutering should be done at around two years of age.
6. Treatment
When investigating behaviour issues caused by medical conditions it is imperative to understand and check the dog’s brain is functioning properly and does not have a neurological disorder which causes an imbalance in the brain which can lead to aggression (Takahashi et al, 2011).
Treatment of the medical condition causing the dog to be in pain needs to be carried out (obviously). If the medical condition can not be cured such as artists, some brain diseases and disfunctions, the usual methods of reducing aggression may not work and medication to treat the dog’s aggression may be needed.
7. Antidepressants (SSRIs)
Serotonin simplified is called the happy hormone. Moreover, serotonin plays a much bigger role in the brains functions within the central nervous system (Bayram and Semen, 2023). In fact, this system plays a significant role in the development and management of behaviour in dogs including ‘mood, perception, reward/punishment, anger, aggression’ (Bayram and Semen, 2023, p.71) amongst others.
Miczek et al, (2002) study highlighted that when dogs were aggressive, they often had lower levels of serotonin. When a dog is aggressive due to an imbalance in the brain, SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can treat the symptoms and work to reduce the aggression in dogs (Bacqué-Cazenave et al, 2020). These drugs along with others, can stabilise the dog’s mood as they modify how the dog’s neurotransmitters interact. This treatment plan
is best paired with behavioural modification techniques such as counter conditioning.
A vet will be able to prescribe this type of medication and will require continued monitoring to see what impact the medication is having on the dog. One study found that levels of anxiety decreased after use of ‘fluoxetine’, an SSRI, whereas others improved on ‘selegiline’ an MOI (another form of antidepressant), emphasising the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment (Pageat et al, 2007).
Medication can reduce negative behaviours shown such as aggression improving the pet’s well-being. But medication is usually only used in extreme circumstances due to the medications side effects or where other alternative methods have not worked, for instance change in the dog’s diet, a full veterinary check up to rule out any other medical issues that may be causing the aggression and other environmental factors.
8. Professional help
Get in touch and I'll be able to help you. If there are no medical issues why the dog is being aggressive I would use behaviour modification methods to counter condition the dog to their triggers causing the aggressive behaviours. I would also use a hoelistic approach, which means also working on the dog building trust with strangers and sometimes rebuilding this with their owners too. I would work on setting boundaries for your pooch such as using a crate as a retreat. We would work on building their over all confidence and ability to cope with triggers. Once this is done I would give your dog a job. By giving your dog a purpose they will no longer need to be on high alert and instead be tuned into you, and what you are asking of them.
There are a combination of strategies that owners can do to reduce their dog’s aggression. Each dog will have a different requirement and what works for one dog may not work for another which is why at PoochWise, I tailor advice for each pet I meet.
Citations
Askew, H.R., 1996. Treatment of behavior problems in dogs and cats: a guide for the small animal veterinarian. Blackwell Science Ltd..
Bayram, G.G. and Semen, Z., 2023. Understanding canine aggression: Neurobiological insights for a complex behavior. Journal of Istanbul Veterinary Sciences, 7(2), pp.68-79.
Bacqué-Cazenave, J., Bharatiya, R., Barrière, G., Delbecque, J.P., Bouguiyoud, N., Di Giovanni, G., Cattaert, D. and De Deurwaerdère, P., 2020. Serotonin in animal cognition and behavior. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(5), p.1649.
Beaver, B.V., 1999. Canine behavior: a guide for veterinarians. WB Saunders.
Casey, R.A., Loftus, B., Bolster, C., Richards, G.J. and Blackwell, E.J., 2014. Human directed aggression in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): Occurrence in different contexts and risk factors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 152, pp.52-63.
Henderson, H., 2014. L-2 hydroxyglutaric aciduria in a South African Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 85(1), pp.1-5.
Hsu, Y. and Sun, L., 2010. Factors associated with aggressive responses in pet dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 123(3-4), pp.108-123.
Landsberg, G.M. and Hunthausen, W., 1997. Handbook of behaviour problems of the dog and cat. Butterworth-Heinemann.
Miczek, K.A., Fish, E.W., De Bold, J.F. and de Almeida, R.M., 2002. Social and neural determinants of aggressive behavior: pharmacotherapeutic targets at serotonin, dopamine and γ-aminobutyric acid systems. Psychopharmacology, 163, pp.434-458.
Mugford, R.A., 1987. The influence of nutrition on canine behaviour. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 28(11), pp.1046-1055.
Pageat, P., Lafont, C., Falewee, C., Bonnafous, L., Gaultier, E. and Silliart, B., 2007. An evaluation of serum prolactin in anxious dogs and response to treatment with selegiline or fluoxetine. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 105(4), pp.342-350.
Prpar Mihevc, S. and Majdič, G., 2019. Canine cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease–two facets of the same disease?. Frontiers in neuroscience, p.604.
Takahashi, A., Quadros, I.M., de Almeida, R.M. and Miczek, K.A., 2011. Brain serotonin receptors and transporters: initiation vs. termination of escalated aggression. Psychopharmacology, 213, pp.183-212.
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