Canine Aggression

1. Canine Aggression Animal Behavior

2. Don’t Label the Dog! Identify the ______________…correctly Work with the animal, don’t ___________them. Understand that some animals may need extra help and more patience Understand that in some cases, there is _______________________________ for aggressive behavior.

3. What is Aggression? • Defined: ________________________________________________________________________ • ________________ Aggression: Attempt to gain resource at expense of another. • Food, bed, toy, etc… • ________________ Aggression: Directed toward perceived threat. (Dog feels like a victim.) • Fear, territorial, pain, etc… • Not all aggressions are clearly one or the other • Some may start as offensive and end as defensive aggressions.

4. Most Common Aggressions LVTs will Encounter ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

5. Use the Dog’s Body Language • Good indicator of dogs ________________ • Can interact more safely with patient • Provide education to owners in order to keep them and pet safe • Not ALWAYS ________________ • Each dog has their own quirks

6. Fear Aggression • ________________ human directed aggression • Body language of a fearful dog: • Avoid eye-contact and be Whale-eyed • Lower ears/tail • Submissive “C” • OTHERS? • Fear Aggression can lead to dangerous situation • May injure self trying to ________________ • May become ________________ if no escape allowed

7. Fear Aggression • Physiological signs • ________________ • ________________ • ________________ • ________________ • ________________ • ________________

8. Causes of Fear Aggression Fear of other ________________ Fear of unknown ________________ Fear of strange noises Unknown ________________ Unknown ________________

9. Dealing with Fear in the Hospital • ____________ to bring dog in • If dog is fearful, have owner stay put with pet in car They can call and let receptionist know they are in the car waiting. • ________, ________, ________ • If dog is comfortable in exam room, stay in exam room • If dog is better behaved away from owners, go to “the back” (treatment area) • ________________ • When introducing yourself, what approach should you take?

10. Pain Induced Aggression Similar to _______ aggression Cause is _______to identify May cause “___________” behaviors if repeated ________________ is key in clinic

11. Pain Aggression • Dog is reacting to a stimulus that is unpleasant • Examples:

12. Pain Aggression • ________________ behaviors • Dog who gets nails trimmed and is repeatedly “quicked” will often be reluctant to have feet touched. • Dog with chronic ear infections may become reactive when head is touched • Horses who are repeatedly or incorrectly “ear-twitched” often become head-shy or difficult to halter.

13. Dealing with Pain Aggression ___________________: Sometimes making a noise or tapping an animal on the forehead will distract them from the unpleasant act. ____________________: If the dog enjoys “belly-rubs”, you may be able to counter-condition the dog to the positive behavior while performing blood-draws, etc… ____________________: When the dog behaves appropriately, reinforce that behavior. (This is situation-dependant, and NOT always effective.)

14. Redirected Aggression • Redirected aggression is often a problem during times of high ________________. • Another stimulus starts issue and it is eventually directed at human. • May be product of busy waiting room, startling noise, or dog fight.

15. Combating Redirected Aggression Minimize ____________ in dogs environment Have alternate entrances for knowingly difficult animals Have alternate entrances for felines Be on the alert for situations that start off benign and escalate

16. Territorial Aggression Most commonly seen in ________________with owners present May be seen during ________________ May be seen with animals who are kenneled regularly

17. Combating Territorial Aggression • Remove pet from exam room if protecting • Place dog in lower kennel if boarding • Place dog in a low-traffic area to reduce additional stress • Minimize additional stresses to animal. • Have all supplies together before restraining • Don’t “hem and haw” with them. (Know what you’re doing and then DO IT!)

18. Food-Related Aggression • Caused by several factors • ________________ • ________________ in home • Presence of other _______/_________

19. Food Aggression • Feed animal showing aggression in _________ area. • Confine to small room or crate while eating. • Work with animal after meals by using small amounts of food taken from _________. • Important that dog doesn’t have to compete with others • Encourage gentle behavior: • Don’t let dog “grab” food from you • Ask dog to sit before offering food • Hide most of food in hand so dog has to carefully remove.

20. Play Aggression • Often starts as an error in __________ judgement • Play with hands • Wrestling • Encouraging young dogs to continue behavior that can lead to aggression. • Usually ________________ to humans or other animals, but has the potential, if behavior escalates.

21. Idiopathic Aggression • This is aggression with no known _____________ • Is often ______________&__________________ • Use caution with specific breeds known for unpredictability. • “________________” would fall in to this category. • ________________ • “________________” Doberman Pinschers

22. Summary Remember that all animals have potential for aggression Just because a dog “doesn’t bite”, doesn’t mean it can’t! The more observant you are, the safer everyone will be. Always keep your head “in the game” Better to be safe than sorry!