Detailing your dog’s history, and the events that surround the aggression

“To correctly diagnose the type of aggression in individual cases, the history has to include more that just the nature of the problem at presentation.” [1]

Guilt

If you feel guilty you may be inclined to hold back. This is a huge mistake. If the consultant is truly an expert he or she will understand that your dog's aggression has not occurred because of you. You may have done things to make it worse, possible, but it is not your fault. A consultant is like a doctor too, he or she probably has seen it all. Relax and be very proud of the fact you are doing something about it.

What to take note of

Spend time taking down the details so that when the time comes to talk to a qualified expert, you can be sure to give an accurate picture of your dog’s situation. Talk to the people involved in your dog’s life. Spend some time thinking about it, as you may not remember some details all at once. Be sure to make notes.

• Your complaint



• The reason for seeking help



• Primary caretaker responsibility



• Brief description of behaviors most concerned about



• When and how the aggression problem first developed, and what age was the dog?



• Provide detailed descriptions of as many of the incidents as you can (particularly the first and the three or four most recent) in chronological order including
  
  
  • location
  
  
  
  • people
  
  
  
  • dogs present
  
  
  
  • food or object present



• Any changes with the progression, i.e. seasonal, response to corrections, etc.



• Behavior just before the aggression



• Aggressive behavior itself including dog’s body language



• Behavior of the dog after the aggression



• Behavior of the people after the aggression



• Frequency of the behavior



• Predictability of the behavior



• Any medical, nutritional or pharmacological associations (spaying?)



• Any patterns to the aggression



• Record of bites and legal documentation



• Reason for you having this dog and any other pet.



• How the dog has been trained and disciplined



• General management of the dog



• Breed, sex, age, neutered



• Age of dog when you got him/her.



• Environmental aspects, i.e. describe a typical day in the dog’s life, and the space it lives in



• The dog's diet



• The dog's exercise



• Other household pets, and relationship,



• What does the dog do while alone



• Where does the dog sleep



• Early socialization history



• Familial history of litter



• The personality of the dog as a puppy and at the moment



• The dog’s behavior in regards to other situations such as things that may provoke fearfulness or submissiveness.



• How does the dog react to guests, children, other animals, the vet, to the groomers, boarding facilities, etc.



• Past treatment and training (aggression treatment, obedience, agility, treat training, e-collars, etc.)



• What behaviors does your dog exhibit that you consider non-aggressive? I.e.:
  
  
  • Excessive barking
  
  
  
  • Separation anxiety
  
  
  
  • Mouthing
  
  
  
  • Demanding to be patted, have a ball thrown
  
  
  
• Medical history



• Your goals



• Anything else you think might be important or relevant

When you answer a trainer’s questions, be honest. Sometimes seemingly innocent details are omitted that could significantly help your dog. Here is a real example of a behavior history form required by Cornell University regarding behavioral problems

References

[1] Dominance Aggression revisited, A.U. Luescher DVM Phd Dipl ACVB, Purdue University, N.C. Guy DVM, Atlantic Veterinary College, Companion Animal Behavior, July 11, 1999

Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals, Karen L. Overall, M.A., V.M.D., Ph.D. Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behavior, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, Mosby, Inc. 1997

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