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The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior

Advancing the Study and Application ofVeterinary Behavior

For more information on news, events, memberships and more, visit us on the web at

www.avsabonline.com

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Chicagoland Veterinary Behavior Consultants

John J. Ciribassi, DVM, Dipl. ACVBdrjdvm@gmail.com

Aggression: Most Commonly Presented Behavior Problem

Dominance Aggression Diagnosed Most Often (especially if owner directed)

Often Results in the Use of Punishment to “Establish Owner as Dominant or Alpha”

Often Results in Escalation of Aggression

Evaluation of History, Situations and Body Posture Can Give Alternate View of Etiology of Aggression

Fear and defensive behavior is believed to be origin of many, if not most aggression problems presented.

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Aggression is a normal canine behavior when displayed in the proper context. As a tool, aggression is utilized by dogs for a variety of purposes:

acquisition of food defense of resource (food, territory, mating

access) establishment of pack hierarchy self defense when threatened.

Submissive displays, including:

averting stares exposure of the underbelly Urination, Defecation, Anal Expression Retreat

are often utilized when a dog is presented with an overwhelming threat. If these signals are not recognized, a subordinate individual may be forced to rely on aggression (growling, barking, snarling or biting) as a last resort.

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Body Posture in a Fearful Animal

Tail dropped or tucked Ears laid back Dorsal Piloerection (evidence of arousal and

non-specific for fear) Weight positioned over hind legs, head and

neck lowered Gaze dorsally or via sideway glance at target Autonomic responses (urination, defecation,

anal sac expression) Lip retraction (Horizontal)

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Body Posture in an Confident/Offensive Animal

Tail raised Ears forward Piloerection Weight shifted forward with head raised Staring directly at target Lunging at or chasing target Lip Retraction (Vertical)

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Approach from a stranger while on leash walk (leash can transmit owner anxiety, prevents escape by the dog, and also prevents canine specific communication in cases of Interdog aggression).

Situations where persons are bitten on the hand while reaching toward the dog

Being bitten on the backside or caudal thighs/feet (common with herding breeds)

Secondary to punishment by strangers or owners

Commonly seen with strangers entering the home or moving suddenly

Young, mobile, active children. Unpredictability breeds anxiety in the dog and can cause biting to prevent movement.

Not always resulting from abuse.

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The successful use of aggression in a defensive situation can become a learned behavior. Over time, this response can be used in similar situations with greater confidence. As a result, the aggression can be displayed with increasing efficiency.

The principles of reinforcement and conditioning apply to the use of aggression.

Owner directed aggression can occur in fear based situations:

Inappropriate use of punishment Attempt to create owner:canine dominance

structure in household Inconsistent interactions

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Often Diagnosed as Dominance Aggression Often show submissive posture. Not confident. Ambivalent body language (wagging tail while

growling). May show “remorse” after aggression.

Conflict occurs when put in confrontational situation or when cannot predict interaction.

Dog learns to use aggression to get out of uncomfortable situation and is reinforced.

Cesar – Conflict Aggression

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Discontinue Punishment Redirect problem behavior using operant

counter conditioning Discontinue access to elevated surfaces Control access to toys and discussed

appropriate play Clicker train basic cues and practice daily NILIF – Consistency of Interactions Feed in out of the way area

Counter Conditioning Remove exposure to inciting stimuli Desensitization Appropriate use of psychoactive

pharmaceuticals

Proactive relaxation techniques using Operant Conditioning (positive reinforcement). Should be practiced in all environments that the dog will be, but without presence of offending stimuli.

Make use of a palatable treats made available by visitors (while still ignoring dog) as a means of accomplishing Classical Counter Conditioning(associate visitors with positive results).

Can use Operant Counter Conditioning by having guests toss treats in response to relaxed behaviors offered by the dog.

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• Operant Counter Conditioning (Response Substitution) - Discontinue all forms of punishment. Focus instead on distraction and redirection of inappropriate behavior to more appropriate responses which can be reinforced.

• Have unfamiliar people ignore dog at first greeting to allow more time for the dog to assess the situation without feeling threatened.

• Identify any fear inducing triggers and avoid. For example, if house has several young children, isolating the dog can avoid potentially negative interactions.

• Prevent visual access to passers by discontinuing “alone time” in home and yard and covering window access

Remove Stimuli

Increase consistency of owner and dog interaction. Always give a command, wait for a response and reward.

Avoid inconsistent, casual interactions by ignoring all attention seeking behaviors. Punishment should never be used.

Often called “Nothing in Life is Free” or “No Free Lunch”.

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By using fear inducing triggers that gradually increase exposure while asking for, and rewarding, relaxed behaviors taught during the counter conditioning phase.

Examples would be people entering the home or approaches from strangers or unfamiliar dogs.

Addresses anxiety issues which can accompany fearful behavior. Anti-anxiety medications are indicated when the degree of anxiety is great enough to interfere with the ability to learn as behavior modification techniques are applied.

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Clomipramine (Clomicalm) 2-4 mg/kg BID Amitriptyline (Elavil)1-3 mg/kg BID-TID

Common side effects include sedation, anorexia, gastrointestinal disturbances, increased aggression, anxiety and drug tolerance.

Fluoxetine (Prozac or Reconcile) 0.5-2 mg/kg SID

Paroxetine (Paxil) 1 mg/kg SID Sertraline (Zoloft) 0.5-1.0 mg/kg SID

Common side effects include sedation and anorexia. Long half life results in delay (6-8 weeks) to effect.

Benzodiazepines are contraindicated due to potential for disinhibition of fear and possibly heightening the aggression.

Examples of BZD’s include diazepam, alprazolam, and lorazepam.

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Is often used along with an SSRI or TCA Dosed 1-2 hours prior to expected stimulus

such as prior to a walk or arrival of guests 0.01-0.05 mg/kg prn or up to tid 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg tablets Primary side effect is sedation at higher doses

“Milton”4 yr old M/N Mastiff97 kg

Presenting Complaint: Aggression towards strangers on walks Aggression towards strangers in the home Overly reactive to fast moving activities on walks

Aggression towards strangers on walks:

Will react by barking at strangers on walks (especially men)

Has lunged at people as they approached Has bitten one neighbor who reached towards

him Will also lunge at fast moving objects such as

bicycles and skateboards

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Aggression towards strangers in the home

Will mainly bark at guests in the home who he does not know well. Especially likely with males.

He has also growled at and lunged at some guests

He has had episodes of biting two guests in the hand after they were petting him for 5 minutes

Aggression towards guests

He mainly remains near the female owner during guest visits to the home

He has barked at workers in the home especially if they make a lot of noise

He has barked at people passing the yard and has lunged at someone passing the front yard

He did not show much interest in people as a puppy but began to show aggressive behavior at about 1 ½ years of age

Owner describes Milton as fearful at the time of the aggressive episodes but did not indicate specifics. Also felt he was being “Protective”

They respond to the aggressive incidents may making Milton sit down, taking him home (if on a walk) and verbally reprimanding him

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Referring veterinarian reports that Milton does not like his rear end touched and may bite at these times

Current on vaccines No medical problems noted No lab work done

Aggression Towards Strangers

Fear Based Aggression

Aggression Towards Guests

Fear Based Aggression Territorial Aggression

Avoid the use of punishment Begin use of a head collar (Gentle Leader) for training,

walks and in the home with an indoor drag line Response Substitution to interrupt and redirect

inappropriate behaviors Consistent and appropriate use of food rewards Use Clicker Training to develop a set of simple cus to

be used in the context of response substitution (counter conditioning)

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Nothing in Life is Free (Command-Response-Reward format) in order to improve consistency of interactions

Discussed appropriate use of reinforcers….quality of treats, timing of rewards, having treats consistently available and intermittent vs. continuous reinforcement

Do not allow free access to the home when alone to prevent reinforcing of territorial behavior

Psychoactive Medication

Reasons for use: High level of “reactivity” in situations involving

strangers and when increased motion (bicycles, for example) is present.

Pre-treatment CBC, Chemistry Panel and Thyroid Profile were performed by RDVM with no abnormalities noted

Fluoxetine - 100 mg sidProgress:3 weeks post consultation – owner upset because believed

trainer who we referred her to was “partnered” with our practice. Explained that this was a referral to a very qualified trainer and was not related to CVBC. Also, noted some sedation on meds. Reduced dose to 40 mg sid

16 weeks post consultation – Decrease dose has helped reduced hyper-vigilant behavior and no longer excessively sedate. Working with a trainer to assist with doing counter conditioning exercises. Milton is more responsive to her in problem situations.

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“Logan”3 yr old M/N Lab X22 kg

Presenting Complaint: Aggression towards strangers on walks and at home Aggression towards unfamiliar dogs on walks and

daycare Overly reactive to fast moving activities on walks

Aggression towards strangers and dog on walks:

Will react by barking at strangers and unfamiliar dogs on walks

Has lunged, barked and growled at people as they approached. Worse if approached from behind.

Will also lunge at fast moving objects such as bicycles and skateboards

Aggression towards strangers in the home

Will mainly jump, lunge, bark and bite at the heels of guests in the home who he does not know well

He has had episodes of biting two guests in the hand after they were petting him for 5 minutes

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Was originally living in Arkansas with male owner in a remote area and had minimal contact with people

Once moved to Chicago area, exposure to people was drastically increased and aggressive behavior began soon after move

Owner describes Logan as being ”over stimulated” on walks, with guests and at daycare.

They respond to the aggressive incidents by doing training and using treat rewards. This has helped a little.

Referring veterinarian reports that Logan has a history of chronic colitits, especially when boarded that responds to a diet change and Tylan powder.

Normal CBC, Chem Panel and Thyroid levels prior to presentation

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Aggression Towards Strangers and Unfamiliar Dogs

Fear Based Aggression Territorial Aggression

Avoid the use of punishment Begin use of a head collar (Gentle Leader) for training,

walks and in the home with an indoor drag line Response Substitution to interrupt and redirect

inappropriate behaviors Consistent and appropriate use of food rewards Use Clicker Training to develop a set of simple cues to

be used in the context of response substitution (counter conditioning)

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Nothing in Life is Free (Command-Response-Reward format) in order to improve consistency of interactions

Discussed appropriate use of reinforcers….quality of treats, timing of rewards, having treats consistently available and intermittent vs. continuous reinforcement

Do not allow free access to the home when alone to prevent reinforcing of territorial behavior

Psychoactive Medication

Reasons for use: High level of “reactivity” in situations involving

strangers and when increased motion (bicycles, for example) is present.

Pre-treatment CBC, Chemistry Panel and Thyroid Profile were performed with no abnormalities noted

Fluoxetine – 30 mg sid

0.3 mg Clonidine given 1-2 hours before walks or before guests arrive to the home.

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Progress:1 weeks post consultation – owner reports

significant change in behavior on walks. Able to redirect with training and cheese as reward

12 weeks post consultation – Much more relaxed on walks and when moving in the apartment building common areas. Reduced Fluoxetine to 20 mg due to some sedation but able to increase back to 30 mg after a few weeks. Using Clonidine before guests, not before walks. Also able to reduce Tylan dose.

Aggression, even when directed at owners, should not be automatically classified as Dominance Related Aggression

Often, the origin is a fear based response directed at unfamiliar people

When conflicting signals are displayed by the dog’s owners, aggression can also be directed toward more familiar people.

Understanding the animal’s history and body language can be valuable in making the correct diagnosis.

Treatment can include avoiding trigger stimuli, utilizing counter conditioning and desensitization (after grading the stimuli) as well as adding appropriate medication where indicated.

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