Aggression

About the Diagnosis

Aggression is a natural behavior of dogs and cats. Pets that are in pain, stressed, and under duress will often show signs of aggression. However, aggression in the home and uncontrolled aggression should not be tolerated in pets. These pets are potentially dangerous to themselves and others. Furthermore, owners of aggressive pets are ethically and legally liable for their pets' aggression.

It is important to note that aggression is generally felt to be a learned behavior in dogs and cats. These pets have been trained (usually unintentionally) to be aggressive. Because of this source of the problem, medical/drug therapy by itself is rarely if ever beneficial.

Dogs: There are several recognized classes of aggression found in dogs:

Status or dominance aggression can be a problem within the household or when interacting with new individuals. It can be interdog aggression, aggression toward new people, aggression toward strangers, and so forth. Similarly, protection of property (the house, the toy, the owner, etc.) can lead to aggression.

Fear aggression can sometimes be difficult to predict. Dogs reacting out of fear often do not provide warning behaviors. No bark occurs before the bite. Dogs can sometimes have fear aggression when woken from sleep, but be perfectly loving dogs at any other time.

Prey or food aggression is a natural instinct that may be only slightly displaced. This can cause dogs to bite cherished members of their pack (e.g., people and other dogs) over food. The prey instinct can cause dogs to injure themselves (e.g., by chasing cars) and/or cause them to attack smaller animals and children.

Cats: In cats, aggressive behaviors typically involve intercat aggression. Introduction of new or strange cats into the household, yard, or territory can elicit aggression. Protection of toys, food bowls, owner affections, and other similar desired things and experiences may elicit these types of aggressive behaviors. Biting of owners is most common as misdirected aggression. Owners can be unintentionally bitten when they try to intervene or prevent intercat aggression.

Some cats become aggressive with excessive petting. This is not well understood, and avoiding excessive petting is the only treatment.

Play aggression can be common in young cats and kittens that have been separated from other cats at a relatively young age. Cats that are playing with their owners should be taught not to bite and scratch during this play. If they are not taught how to play appropriately, they can easily develop play aggression.

Living with the Diagnosis

• There are two critical points to living with an aggressive pet: behavior modification and safety.
• Behavior modification can take several forms. Avoiding or eliminating situations where aggressive behavior is displayed, training alternative behaviors, and providing adequate mental stimulus and physical exercise are all forms of behavior modification.
• Avoiding "problem" situations reduces risk to pets and owners alike.
• Training provides structure and positive interactions. It tells pets what you want from them.
• Good mental and physical health can help reduce aggressive behavior. Provide your pet with positive interactions (when it is not being aggressive), mental stimulus, and physical exercise.
• If your pet is aggressive, it is your liability. If you chose to live with an aggressive pet, you are responsible if it bites you, if it bites others, and if it attacks other pets.

Treatment

The primary treatment for aggression is training. Many veterinarians do not feel comfortable doing this, but some do. There are many good behaviorists and professional trainers. While animal behaviorists are sometimes derided, there are specialty-trained veterinarians whose focus of practice is entirely animal behavior, and their input and recommendations can be lifesaving. If you have an aggressive dog or cat, you should research these services in your area. Speak to friends and find somebody you like and trust. Additionally, the American Association of Veterinary Behaviorists is a nonprofit veterinary medical association. It regroups the specialty-trained veterinarians around the world who are experts in behavioral problems of dogs and cats (see "Diplomates" at www.veterinarybehaviorists.org or www.dacvb.org).

It is important to realize that, despite your good intentions, you may have taught your pet to be aggressive. It is therefore critical to seek outside help so that you can receive an objective perspective. Don't be defensive, since these professionals do not want to judge but rather are available to help you and your dog or cat reduce the risk of a potentially devastating injury. Due to the nature of their work, these experts are usually kind and very understanding in addition to being highly knowledgeable.

Head harnesses, gentle leaders, and so forth often provide assistance in training.

Behavior-altering medications are rarely of any benefit and should be a last ditch attempt as an alternative to euthanasia.

Cats starting to display play aggression should be ignored (stop play immediately and move away from them) with the first aggressive behavior. Give them a break, a time-out. Do not restart play behavior until later. They will learn that it is inappropriate to bite and scratch.

DOs

• Training, with the benefit of an outside expert. This is the only real treatment that has any potential for successfully changing the unwanted behavior(s) of an aggressive pet.
• Head harness (dogs).
• Provide alternate exercise and activities; meet the pet's social and psychological needs.

DON'Ts

• Never try to "establish dominance" or treat aggression with aggression. Choke chains and adverse stimuli are no different than hitting a dog. It is still aggression and will only cause escalation of aggressive behavior.
• Punishment of any sort is essentially always counterproductive. Instead, appropriate actions on the part of humans must be prevention and/or diversion.
• Don't expect others to change because of you and your pet; if you chose to live with an aggressive pet, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT PET'S ACTIONS.

When to Call Your Veterinarian

• If your veterinarian treats behavioral problems, he or she should be kept in contact to direct you with warning signs, goals to achieve, and so forth.
• If and when your pet gets itself into trouble (bites, wounds, etc.).
• If training is not working and medication is necessary.

Signs to Watch For

• Recurrence of problem behaviors/aggression: Often training becomes more relaxed once you feel the pet is doing better. This is a common problem with behavioral issues. Consistency and strict training are much more beneficial than partial training. Partial and incomplete training often teaches alternative aggressive behaviors (e.g., your dog doesn't bite any more, but now it lunges)

Routine Follow-Up

• As dictated by your trainer or veterinarian.
• If medications are instituted, your veterinarian will give you guidelines for follow-up based on the drugs chosen.