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Aggression in Pets - The basics

Aggression in Pets - The basics

Aggression is the most serious and dangerous type of behavioural problem.

OVERVIEW

Aggression is the act against another animal or person with the intent of harm. Aggression can be in the form of growling, baring teeth, snapping, biting, or staring. The most common causes of aggressive behaviour tend to be due to anxiety, fear or PAIN.

Surprise! The dog training industry is super unregulated. We recommend that you work with veterinary behaviourists or trainers that have trained under reputable training providers (there aren’t many).

TYPES OF AGGRESSION

The following table lists some examples of situations when a dog may show aggressive behaviour.

Please note that some situations may trigger more than one type of aggression.

Types of aggression:

Common triggers of aggressive behaviour:

Anxiety

When on the couch and thinks it will be forced off

When in the car and thinks it will be forced out

When it thinks it will be punished

Conflict

When resisting to share a cushion, couch or enter through a doorway together

Food

When the food bowl with food is removed

When the food bowl with no food is removed

When you drop food and go to pick it up

Possessive*

When you go to take a toy

When you approach a dog when eating

Play

When you go to play with the dog when it has a toy

Dominance

When competing for a resource

Inter-dog

When another dog approaches a dog playing or eating

Fear

When you go to take a toy

During bathing

When a stranger arrives

At the veterinary clinic or boarding facility

Territorial

When a stranger passes by the yard

*Studies suggest that over 60% of dog bites to children occur when a dog is guarding its food or playing with a toy. In these cases, it is important to educate children to stay away from animals that are eating or playing and more importantly for children to be supervised at all times when around pets. It is usually never the animal’s fault, but we love to blame the pet who can’t speak for themselves.

SIGNS

Common signs of aggression or fear:

    Avoiding eye contact or sustained eye contact

    Lowered head or tail

    Ears down, back or forward

    Licking lips

    Yawning

    Leaning forward

    Tense posture

CAUSES

Common causes of aggression:

    Fear

    Anxiety

    Lack of socialisation

    Illness

●    Pain

    Neurologic disease

MANAGEMENT

Aggression is the most serious and dangerous behavioural problem and should always be investigated by a veterinary behaviour professional. Punishment should never be used to manage an aggressive or anxious dog.

Each State has specific regulations on declaring individual dogs as dangerous. For further information, seek advice from your local Council.

Tips on managing an episode of aggression:

    Never approach or try to reassure an aggressive pet

    Never challenge an aggressive pet as this can trigger an attack

    Avoid direct eye contact

    Avoid speaking loud

    Give the pet space and allow it room to escape

    Do not reach your hand out to the pet but keep your arms to your side

    Call your veterinarian or local council for advice on how to handle the problem

TIPS

Tips to help prevent the onset of aggression:

    Ensure frequent and gentle handling from a young age

    Socialising with a variety of people and animals in a slow and safe way as the animal can cope

    Puppy school between 12-18 weeks of age with reputable trainers or veterinary nurses

    Start basic care such as clipping nails, checking ears and eyes, sitting with them when they eat, sleep and brushing teeth as early as possible

    Reward good, calm behaviour

    Never punish your dog as this may lead to fear aggression

    Respect that dogs have space and time needs and allow to have a “safe space”

    If you are aware of triggers that cause the dog to react negatively such as a toy, food treat or bike, remove them from the dog's environment or allow the dog to have where no other person or animal can interfere with them enjoying this

    Teach a trade. Teach your dog to trade toys and food for something to build trust with you and your family and friends.

    Use calm cues rather than shouting them, no-one likes to be yelled at

    Exercise your pet daily with calm, slow, age, breed and life-stage appropriate activities

    Have your dog regularly checked particularly if concerned about health-related issues

Seek veterinary professional advice as soon as signs of aggression are noted.