If you have an dog that displays aggressive behavior, if you think your dog is potentially aggressive, or even if you are not sure, enlist good help. Having an aggressive dog is nothing to be ashamed of, (or rare) but it is not easy on many levels. You need support, and you need help finding a way to manage your dog’s problem.
Most aggressive behavior does not go away on its own. The longer your dog’s aggression continues; the more intense it gets, the more frequently in occurs: the worse the prognosis is for treatment. Even if you are not sure, get help now. Meanwhile avoid what sets your dog off.
Where do I find help?
First talk to your vet about ruling ouy any medical causes. Then ask your vet to recommend you to a veterinary behaviorist if possible. You may also be able to find one by contacting the nearest veterinary school for a recommendation. Tufts University in the US also has a remote Veterinary Behaviorist consultation that anyone in the world can use called PETFAX.
Applied behaviorists such as Certified Applied Behaviorist are very good choices as well. Often consulations with behaviorists will be one or two meetings, with some follow-up. Some behaviorists will recommend working with a trainer as well, which can be very beneficial.
You are not avoiding the circumstances that is causing your dog to become aggressive. ย Unfortunately each time he or she practices aggression the neural pathways in his brain become more efficient and faster and behaving aggressively. ย These strong neural pathways compete against alternative behavior. ย Aggressive dogs that are still acting aggressive, will become better and faster at being aggressive!
Your dog may need some form of pharmaceuticalย intervention.
You might be progressing too fast in treatment and your dog isn’t ready to be exposed at the distance you are to your dog’s triggering events.
You might not be able to provideย the right kind of environment for yourย dog’s treatment.
Your dog is struggling because of a medical condition that isn;t being adaquately treated.
If you are not providing the right environment but you are committed to helping your dog become less aggressive, speak to a consultant that can help you pin point the problems.
Or else, if you are not sure if the trainer you have found is the right person have a look at the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior – How to Choose a Trainer document.
If your dog needs a pharmacuetical intervention, ask for a referral from your vet for a veterinary behaviorist, or ask the vet consult one. Veterinarian’s cometimes prescribe medications without having a good background in behavior, and often it takes a skilled vet behaviorist to know the right questions to ask about your dog’s aggression to determine the best course of treatment
But don’t give up. You are the only one who can care for your dog.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, all you need to do right now is make sure others are safe from your dog, and your dog does not have the opportunity to behave aggressively under any circumstances. You will not feel overwhelmed forever.
Finding good help and seeing your dog’s behavior start to change will go a long way to feeling like you can be in control of the situation.
Here are some things you can do now:
Read up on deferenceย ย and relaxationย protocols. These are often the steppingย stones towards active behavior modification,ย and can be good for any dog (see resources).
Familiarize yourself with the legalย issues surrounding dog aggressionย and laws in your area regarding dogย bites, attacks, etc.
Use a “Dog On Premises”ย sign (don’t use “Beware of Dog” forย liability reasons). ย Amazon carries some “dog crossing” signs which may be a fun way to alert people that there is a dog on the premises.
Find liability insurance that willย cover your dog (this is no longerย as easy as it used to be). Considerย catastrophic insurance policies.
Familiarize yourself about dog aggressionย and treatment through reputableย sources.
Create a detailed historyย of your dog and keep a log of hisย or her aggression problem.
It may take some effort on your part, but it is possible to manage aggressive behavior in the majority of dogs. Finding a reputable trainer or consultant, and having support is essential.