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Causes of Dog Aggression
Dog aggression can have many causes, many of them medical. Dogs
may also become aggressive due to fear or past abuse. While many
dog breeds have reputations for being particularly aggressive,
aggressiveness usually occurs as a result of medical problems,
fear or former abuse.
Medical Causes of Aggression in Dogs
Aggressive behavior includes any threatening or harmful
behavior directed at other living things, including other dogs,
cats and humans. Aggressive behavior can include snarling,
snapping, biting, growling and lunging. There are more than
fifty medical conditions that can cause aggressive dog behavior.
Some of them are:
- Hypothyroidism, a condition in which your dog's thyroid
isn't functioning adequately or stops functioning
altogether. This results in a deficiency of the thyroid
hormone, which can cause major systemic problems and alter
your dog's behavior. Hypothyroidism is easily treatable with
medication.
- Neurological problems, whether congenital or acquired,
may be interfering with your dog's judgment and behavior.
Head trauma, brain tumors and epilepsy can all cause
aggressive dog behavior.
- Behavioral seizures occur in the region of your dog's
brain that controls aggression. Your dog may have mood
swings and display sudden aggressive behavior. Breeds prone
to this disorder include Springer and Cocker spaniels, bull
terriers, poodles and golden retrievers.
- Pain is also a major medical cause of aggression. When
dogs are in pain, especially if the pain is chronic and
severe, they may feel irritable and lash out.
Non-Medical Causes of Canine Aggression
If your vet has ruled out medical conditions that may be
causing your dog's aggression, it's time to think of behavioral
causes for the aggressive behavior. Some types of behavioral
aggression include:
- Dominance-related aggression is one of the most common
types of canine aggression. Aggressive acts are directed
towards members of the household in an attempt to establish
dominance.
- Territorial aggression is directed toward outsiders who
approach the dog's territory.
- Internal aggression involves territorial or dominance
disputes between adult males.
- Predatory aggression is directed toward whatever your
dog might think of as his prey.
- Fear-induced aggression occurs when a frightened dog
feels cornered. This can occur when you approach a
frightened dog. Abusive treatment can inspire fear-induced
aggression. Contact with active children can also cause this
type of aggression.
- Maternal aggression occurs when a bitch feels her
puppies are threatened.
- Redirected aggression occurs when a dog that is actively
being aggressive redirects his aggression to another source,
such as the owner who tries to restrain a barking dog.
Treating Aggression in Dogs
If the cause of your dog's aggression is medical, treating
the underlying medical condition should solve the behavior
problem. If not, a veterinary behaviorist can help you diagnose
and treat your dog's aggressive behavior.
Your behaviorist will ask a lot of detailed questions about
your dog's aggressive behavior, the circumstances surrounding
it, and your reactions to it. Keep a journal of your dog's
aggressive behavior; keeping track of the following:
- The cause of the aggression
- The frequency of the behavior
- To whom it's directed
- The specific behaviors
- Your dog's posturing at the time
Treatment may involve behavior modification techniques, drug
therapy and surgery. You may also want to employ avoidance
techniques, such as using a head halter or keeping your dog
confined when company comes over.
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