Dog Aggression: Assessment and Safe Management

Canine aggression is a complex behaviour problem with welfare implications for affected dogs, their families, and potential victims, requiring expert assessment and management.

Key Facts

Aggression is the most common reason dogs are surrendered to shelters or euthanised
Fear-based aggression is the most common type in domestic dogs
Punishment-based training methods worsen fear-based aggression and are contraindicated
Clinical behaviourists and veterinary behaviourists are the appropriate professionals for severe aggression
Medication can be an important component of treatment for dogs with anxiety-driven aggression

Welfare Considerations

Dogs with aggression often suffer from underlying anxiety, fear, or pain that drives the behaviour. The dog is frequently in chronic psychological distress. Inappropriate management including punishment worsens underlying fear and increases welfare harm. Dogs euthanised for aggression without appropriate behavioural assessment and treatment may represent preventable welfare failures. Early professional intervention, addressing underlying causes, and appropriate management significantly improve welfare for dogs and their families.

What You Can Do

Seek assessment from a qualified behaviourist or veterinary behaviourist, not a dog trainer, for serious aggression
Ask your vet to rule out pain as a contributing factor before behavioural treatment
Avoid punishment-based methods which worsen fear-based aggression
Implement appropriate safety management measures during treatment
Be honest with your vet and behaviourist about the severity and frequency of incidents