Help! My Dog is Aggressive!

If you have an dog that displays aggressive behavior, if you think your dog is potentially aggressive,or even if you are not sure, enlist good help. Having an aggressive dog is nothing to be ashamed of, (or rare) but it is not easy on many levels. You need support, and you need help finding a way to manage your dog's problem.

Most aggressive behavior does not go away on its own. The longer your dog's aggression continues; the more intense it gets, the more frequently in occurs: the worse the prognosis is for treatment. Even if you are not sure, get help now. Meanwhile avoid what sets your dog off.

Where do I find help?

First talk to your vet about ruling ouy any medical causes. Then ask your vet to recommend you to a veterinary behaviorist if possible. You may also be able to find one by contacting the nearest veterinary school for a recommendation. Applied behaviorists such as Certified Applied Behaviorist are very good choices as well. Often consulations with behaviorists will be one or two meetings, with some follow-up. Some behaviorist will recommend working with a trainer as well, which can be very beneficial.

But I found help. Its not working.

If you have found help and nothing seems to be working, there could be a few of issues holding you back.

Y ou might not be able to provide the right kind of environment for your dog's treatment
You have found the wrong help.
Your dog may need some form of pharmaceutical intervention
Your dog is beyond help because of a medical condition that cannot be treated

If you are not providing the right environment but you are committed to your dog's treatment, speak to a consultant that can help you pin point the problems.

Or else, if you are not sure if the consultant you have found is the right person have a look at our Research and checklists for finding a dog trainer or consultant. If you are having issues with your trainer, or he / she is not providing the services or goods you paid for, check out When things go wrong.

If your dog needs a pharmacuetical intervention, ask for a referral from your vet for a veterinary behaviorist, or ask the vet consult one. Veterinarian's cometimes prescribe medications without having a good background in behavior, and often it takes a skilled vet behaviorist to know the right questions to ask about your dog's behavior to determine the best course of treatment

But don't give up. You are the only one who can care for your dog.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, all you need to do right now is make sure others are safe from your dog, and your dog does not have the opportunity to behave aggressively under any circumstances. You will not feel overwhelmed forever.

Finding good help and seeing your dog's behavior start to change will go a long way to feeling like you can be in control of the situation.

Here are some things you can do now:

Look into research and interview check lists for finding a reputable trainer or consultant to help you with a treatment plan for your dog.

Read up on deferment and relaxation protocols. These are often the stepping stones towards active behavior modification, and can be good for any dog (see resources)
Help yourself maintain your commitment to treating your dog and avoid failure
Consider joining an e-group where there are other people going through similar circumstances as you.
Familiarize yourself with the legal issues surrounding dog aggression and laws in your area regarding dog bites, attacks, etc.
Use a "Dog On Premises" sign (don't use "Beware of Dog" for liability reasons)
Find liability insurance that will cover your dog (this is no longer as easy as it used to be). Consider catastrophic insurance policies.
Familiarize yourself about dog aggression and treatment.
Learn about how to keep others around you safe from your dog.
Create a detailed history of your dog and keep a log of his or her aggression problem

It may takesome effort on your part, but it is possible to manage aggressive behavior in the majority of dogs. Finding a reputable trainer or consultant, and having support is essential.

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.