Safety and management

Treatment

Behavior modification

How to stay committed to treatment

How to prevent failure

When things go wrong

Prognosis

Treatment Methods

There is a lot of controversy over training methods by trainers in the dog training community. We can be left wondering: should I use a choke chain, should I use treats or praise or none at all, should I clicker train, what about medical interventions, etc.?

There is the "positive camp", the "punishment camp", and those who think they are doing new things by bunking the reinforcement trend altogether. Some confuse you by discussions on whether the dog can think or not. Some claim to use only positive hands-off methods that are in fact deprivation methods, and potentially can backfire.

It’s always safe to assume that each dog, each owner, and each relationship is different. What may work for one set of circumstances may not work for another. That is why we don’t recommend anyone taking detailed training advice for an aggressive dog over the Internet. Not all methods work for all dogs now. What works now may not work for every situation later.

However, dog training and treatment is not magic. If you feel like a dog trainer has some special powers with your dog that you can't master, or you are left confused and uncertain, then that person may not able to communciate effectively what needs to be done.

Some trainers may rely on this "mystery" as a way to hook you in. Bottom line: you need to know how to handle your dog. You need someone who can help you help your dog.

Generally, the methods to treat aggression are:

Avoiding situations that provoke your dog's aggression
Behavior modification and training
Pharmacological intervention (use of behavior altering drugs)
Surgical intervention (usually castration of the male dog)

What methods to avoid

What is Behavior Modification

What to consider

Leadership

Emotions

Consistency

Paying attention

Obedience training

Leash walks

What methods to avoid

Avoid situations that provoke the aggression until you seek qualified help.[2] Any time the dog behaves inappropriately it learns from that response. It is critical that the dog does not reinforce his behaviors.
Avoid trainers who prefer to use deprivation methods such as withholding water, or excessive isolation, such as crating for more than a few hours at a time, or tying dogs outside. These techniques can cause more problems than they solve.

"Behavioral approaches that neglect a dog's physical and psychological needs or fail to appreciate the ultimate value of the human-dog relationship are incomplete, inadequate and inhumane." [8]

Beyond health issues, problems encountered in kenneling, and rescue organizations are a good example of why excessive isolation is a mistake.

But, you say,I know of a trainer who works by taking away the dog's freedom, to domesticate him, and it works! Trainers who rely on these forms of deprivation, can be relying on a psychological condition similar to "learned helplessness" or depression. Learned helplessness occurs when an animal is forced to be exposed to an uncontrollable situation, where no changes in its behavior effect a change in the environment.

"...Several other species (rats, cats, humans) have been tested with a variety of stressors (noise, crowding, cold, defeat, restraint, pain). Learned helplessness appears to be a common response to conditions of inescapable stress." [7] Random punishment or abuse also leads to this. In such circumstances further learning is disrupted. Although common, passivity; a reduction in aggressive behavior; timidness, etc.,are not predictable or stable responses. There are more humane ways to manage canine aggression than this. More..(pdf file).

Crates can be beneficial to help some dogs relax if they find the area calming or reassuring, or they can cause the animal to become claustrophobic and panic. They can become unpleasant locations for dogs if used as punishments. Excessive crate confinement "may adversely affect the bond between owner and dog".[8]
Avoid any trainer that wants to train your aggressive dog for you. You need to deal with your dog. You cannot know what the trainer is really doing with your dog. We have proof that some dogs have been returned with weight loss, health problems, scars, and additional behavioral problems. A trainer can and has claimed that the dogs have been fine within their care. There is little you can do to prove it, and your dog can be damaged in the process. More...
Avoid physical punishment of any kind. Local pain caused by pinch collars, hitting, or shock collars (electric) can increase aggression in dominantly aggressive dogs. Shock collars should only be used in extreme circumstances,in the absence of other solutions, as part of an involved behavior modification.[2] They require training with an expert to be used properly.
There are well known and popular trainers, (and some not so well known trainers that have suggested these methods:
- Scruff-shaking and choke chains: some claim that these methods are based on the idea that a mother dog reprimands her pups this way, or is how dogs treat other dogs. However, studies suggest that scruff-shakng is is rare and unusual.[5] and the use of choke chains does not mimic bites or holds around the necks or shoulders.
- Several studies that look at spinal problems strongly suggest that such corrections are potentials injurious. [6]. Choke chains have a huge potential to be used improperly. At best choke chains may act as a self correcting collar when the dog pulls the chain squeezes the neck, however, many aggressive dogs seem imperious to the pressure. The best corrections are those that use communication. Choke chains should never be used as a maintenance device when a head halter will do.
- "Hanging" the dog: This refers to holding the dog off the ground by his collar and leash. The idea here is that you must end up the winner in all cases, and if a dog insists on trying to bite you, this is a last resort to win over the dog. This is never appropriate. If you cannot back the dog down, you risk being injured. Further, the dog is at risk for injured ocular vessels, tracheal and esophageal damage, and recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. In the few cases of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis caused by hanging by a choker seen at VHUP, all dogs have died despite therapy that included a ventilator.[2] If your dog is likely to bite you, avoid anything that will provoke it.
Do not remove teeth. Animals with teeth removed can still do damage. This is not a treatment.
Group classes cannot get to the heart of your dog's aggression problem.

Find someone who can accurately diagnose your dog and teach you what you need to know. Help for finding a reputable consultant.

What to consider

Unlearning old behavior is harder than learning new behavior. Consistency is a must. Commitment to complying to a good program is a must. Acknowledging that aggression can only be controlled, not cured.

Here are some basic ideas that you can consider right now before you seek help from a qualified consultant.

Leadership

Having a person or a dog respect you is not the same as having them afraid of you. Or you might think to yourself: but my dog loves me just fine - its other people, or other dogs he has a problem with.

In theory this is a nice idea, but if you hope to alter your dog's aggression in anyway, he will need to respect you first and foremost, whether your dog is fear aggressive, dominantly aggressive, territorially aggressive, etc.

All dogs will benefit from what some people call NILIF – Nothing In Life Is Free. If a dog wants something – anything – he must earn it. Check out Teaching your aggressive dog deferential behavior. [1] for an excellent explanation of how to implement this. Needless to say, this takes some practice remembering to do it, and then insisting your dog performs, but it’s actually a simple and effective way to remind your dog who is boss.

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Emotions

Even humans find it hard to respect those who fly off the handle, or who are emotionally volatile. If you are getting angry or emotional because of your dog for his misbehaviors, you may be undermining your value as a leader in your dog's eyes. Devise a strategy that helps you remain calm. Developing realistic expectations is a good place to start. Your consultant will be invaluable in assisting you with this.

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Consistency

As with humans, people who are inconsistent are seen as being less stable or even weak. A parent who sometimes allows a child to steal from the cookie jar, and the next day punish him for it will create a confused child initially. But inevitably that child will rebel when he is corrected.

Inconsistency in your behavior teaches a dog to be inconsistent in behaving the way you wish him to. If sometimes you let him pull, but not other times will teach a dog to always try to pull.

Consistency is vital for any training, but essential for treatment and learning new behavior.

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Paying attention

This is extremely important to treatment. If you are going to undergo treatment with your dog you will need to pay attention to how he behaves, and accurately report it to your consultant. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to look for, and consider taking notes, or making a log.

If you need to follow a deference program, you need to work on remembering to implement it. This means paying attention to how you interact with your dog.

It does take a certain amount of effort and learning to begin with, but not only will it help you with treatment, it will help develop your bond with your dog, as well.

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Obedience training

Obedience training, teaches your dog specific behaviors, such a learning to sit, lie down, staying in one spot, coming when called, etc. by your command, by voice command or hand and body signals. Obedience training alone will not cure aggression. It is not Behavior modification.

"Once a problem develops, obedience training is a poor substitute for intervention from a behavioral specialist. Such dogs are not just misbehaving, they are not normal, and to treat them as such, expecting normal responses to ever intensifying corrections, is dangerous to pet and client alike" [2].

However it is an important tool in treatment protocols. It will help you regain voice control over your dog. Obedience commands can change the dog's motivation for the moment, and third, "sit-stay" or "down-stay" commands encourage a submissive posture, and "if used repeatedly the dog can learn to relax its vigilance." [3].

In order to command deferential behavior from your dog, and certain amount of training is required. Teaching your aggressive dog deferential behavior. [4]

Brush up on your exercises, if your dog will not resist aggressively. Make them fun, and end on a good note. If you have never done obedience work consider hiring a good obedience trainer to give you some lessons.

Also know that you can often find a behaviorist and a trainer to work together to help you with your treatment program.

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Leash walks

If your dog disrespects your leadership by pulling, how can you expect to tackle the greater issue of his aggression? The simple answer is that you cannot. A dog that knows it can pull you where he wants, stop or start the walk at his own choosing knows that you don't have control. Therefor he is less likely to feel secure in your leadership.

Despite a few scam artist's misinformed ideas, increasing exercise can help some dogs that display aggression. However, this does not mean letting your dog run free. But what can you do if your dog is not trained to walk without pulling?

You will not need a behaviorist to teach your dog to walk properly to walk on a leash, but you may want to find a trainer who feels comfortable working with your dog despite his or her issues.

Until he or she is trained,a head halter, such as the Promise System/Gentle Leader Head Collar ® [2] , for walking dogs is highly recommended. This system works similarity to a horse halter. It is not injurious to the dog, and somewhat mimics canine signals for control.

It is natural for your dog to dislike the halter at first, and try to get it off. However, letting your dog pull, yanking and using choke chains that have the potential to injure the dog.

Pinch collars, shock collars, and other devises that cause local pain can actually increase aggression in a dominantly aggressive dog. Shock collars should only be used in extreme circumstances in the absense of other solutions by those who understand how have had training on how to use them correctly and are willing to comply with the amount of behavior modification involved. [2]

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References

[1] Dominance aggression in dogs: part 1, Karen L. Overall, MA, VMD. Phd, Dipl. ACVB, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, http://www.hilltopanimalhospital.com

[2 ] 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. A little different version of halter that works in a similiar method: Tsuro Walk-Well halter

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

[4] Information provided by Karen L. Overall, MS, VMD PhD, Dipl. ACVB, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010.

[5]a) "Mother and Pups", Anders Hallgren, ABCN 7 (3) 1-2, 1990

b)"On Punishment and Aggression", MGH Schilder and WJ Netto, Anim Behav Consultant Newsletter 8(3):2-3, 1991

[6] "Spinal Anomoloies in Dogs" Anders Hallgren, ABCN 7 9(3):3-4, 1992

[7]"Understanding Learned Helplessness" by Sally Treat, M.S., APDT Certified, Dog Behavior and Learning Theory certificate from ACBT. DogPsych.com

[8] Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Volume Two, Etiology and Assessment of Behavior Problems, Steven R. Lindsay, Iowa State University Press, 2001

K9aggression.com is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of aggressive dogs, their owners and those around them. By providing education, inspiration and support through online communication we hope to promote responsibility, action, and understanding.