The safest and most effective way to treat an aggression problem is to implement behavior modification under the guidance of a qualified professional. Modifying a dog's behavior involves rewarding her for good behavior—so you'll likely be more successful if your dog enjoys praise, treats and toys.
It's important to keep in mind that there is no such thing as a cure for aggression. Aggressive behaviors are managed and reduced through proper treatment with a veterinary behavioral professional. It's also essential to understand that aggression is a behavioral problem, not an issue of obedience.
It's possible to handle a dog's aggressive behavior through careful management. For example, walking them with a muzzle or keeping them away from other dogs or whatever their triggers might be. But the more triggers a dog has or the more unpredictable their outbursts, the more you will need to manage their existence.
Dogs that have a history of acting aggressively towards people should not be re-homed. Even if the dog acts aggressively towards children but does well with older people, the dog should not be rehomed for the simple fact that it is a liability.
A few widespread types of anti-anxiety medications used for treating dog aggression include Anafranil, Clomicalm, and Buspirone. For dogs with less extreme cases of anxiety, Buspirone is generally the go-to medication.
However, there's no guarantee that an aggressive dog can be completely cured. In many cases, the only solution is to manage the problem by limiting a dog's exposure to the situations, people or things that trigger her aggression. There's always risk when dealing with an aggressive dog.
LEVEL 3—A SINGLE BITE WITH SHALLOW WOUNDS
Whatever the reason for a Level 3 bite, whether rough play that escalates, fear, poor socialization, or something else, this level of aggression must be dealt with. The dog should be taken to a vet or trainer as soon as possible.
If your dog is showing any changes in their behaviour, especially if they have started showing aggression suddenly, you should contact your vet as soon as possible. Aggression tends to get worse over time and can lead to serious injuries to you, your dog or other people and pets so getting help is essential.
Aggression in dogs can be due to guarding territory, resources, or a family member; fear; frustration; prey drive; or pain. In all of these situations, a dog may be pushed too far and can transition quickly from reactive, fearful, or guarding behaviors to being aggressive.
Spaying your dog reduces any aggressive behavior patterns so your dog will likely be less aggressive toward people and other dogs after spay surgery.
"Fear or anxiety related aggression is perhaps the most common form of aggression in dogs."
Factors like socialization, training, and past experiences impact a dog's behaviour. Aggression is both genetic and learned, with genes providing the foundation and environmental factors shaping the expression of the behaviour.
The best thing a pet parent can do when their dog has escalated aggressive behavior is to remove the dog from that situation or remove the trigger that the dog found threatening. If you're the reason the dog is directing the aggressive behavior, step out of sight.
An aggressive dog poses a danger to us and other humans. It tells us the dog is unhappy. Even in a mild form or in a small dog, aggression typically signals the dog is tense and not enjoying his life at that moment – or, sometimes, not at all.
Many older dogs show increased aggression, anxiety, or compulsive behaviors. These behaviors are aggravated by body inflammation, sensory changes, and cognitive decline.
The most common causes include conflict aggression, fear-based, defensive aggression, status related aggression, possessive aggression, food guarding aggression and redirected aggression.
The behavior associated with Rage Syndrome includes outbursts of aggression that are intense and at times unpredictable. These episodes also tend to be large dramatic responses relative to a seemingly benign situation. Affected dogs often freeze, stare, and may rapidly escalate to biting.
Midazolam (a benzodiazepine) and droperidol (antidopaminergic) have both been shown to be effective and cause a reduction in aggression quickly. However, the result may not be sustained, and repeated administration may increase side effects including oversedation and respiratory depression.
SSRIs particularly fluoxetine are most commonly used to reduce reactivity, impulsivity, and some forms of fear and anxiety, as well as to improve trainability and address the dog's behavioural well-being.
ARE MALE DOGS MORE AGGRESSIVE THAN FEMALE DOGS? Both male and female dogs have the ability to show aggression but the statistics show that “entire” (not neutered) male dogs are more likely to show aggression than female dogs or neutered males.
Behavioural problems in most cases are reduced or have even disappeared after neutering (male dogs 74%, female dogs 59%). At best, hypersexuality and connected problems are changed as expected. 49 of 80 aggressive male dogs and 25 of 47 female dogs are more gentle after neutering.
Dogs that have been neutered will not be free of hormonal behavior issues right away. This is because in most cases, it can take anywhere from two to four weeks, and sometimes even as long as six weeks, for all the hormones to leave your dog's body.