A huge number of dogs are put to death by people for their aggressive behaviors. While there may be genetic influences, aggression is nearly always not a result of abnormal or pathological condition in a dog. [1]

However dogs that react inappropriately are not considered normal by some behaviorists. Often with behavior modification, management and sometimes medical interventions, aggression in dogs can often be successfully and completely controlled. There are no guarantees, but there may be good reason to hope can improve.

Commitment

This will make or break rehabilitating your dog. You must think long and hard about the effort you will need to put into rehabilitation. It will have its up and downs, but ultimately it will be immensely satisfying when you start to see changes. This can only happen if you are committed. For help staying committed, see preventing failure. Remember, putting you down down in permanent. There are no resurrections.

Given that The Behavior Clinic at University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (VHUP) has a very high success rate with great improvement in more than 75% of all aggressive animals; 90% of aggressive patients improve to the extent that the owners are happy to keep them, it makes the effort well worth it. But don't kid yourself, owner compliance with the program is the number one critical factor in the success of treatment.

Dogs that bite will always have the potential to bite, and the work you do may just go towards managing the dog (see safety). But the problems that most people experience with aggressive dogs can be tackled.

In order to stay committed, you must be completely realistic about what you are in for. Let's face it, it's not the good times that makes us give up. You must be objective as you can about the negative aspects.

• It can be hard work to learn new behavior or hard work managing
  
  
• We might get upset with ourselves and others when mistakes happen
  
  
• We will get frustrated if our dog appears to back slide
  
  
• We will get frustrated if our dog's progress is not as fast as we hoped
  
  
• We will have periods of mourning the loss of what used to be before we had this problem to solve
  
  
• We may get frustrated with other family members forgetting or being inconsistent, or with them reprimanding us
  
  
• Conflicts in the family may intensify during this time
  
  
• We will want to enjoy our dog again, but are "too busy" training
  
  
• We might not even like our dog from time to time
  
  
• We might feel guilty about not giving our dog the privileges he once had
  
  
• We don't enjoy the attitude of our neighbors
  
  

But the best thing about making solid commitment to this kind of work, is that it eventually helps you enjoy your dog once again!! You learn about yourself in the process and you relieve some of your dog's anxiety increasing his well being. Best of all, you and your dog develop a strong and more satisfying relationship.

We all have tough times, but we can get through it. For help staying committed, see preventing failure, and consider joining our e-group where you can meet others in similar situations.

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[1] Canine Aggression: Neurobiology, Behavior and Management, Ilana R. Reisner, DVM, Phd, DACVB, http://www.vetshow.com/friskies/cani.htm

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