Companion Animals

Dog Aggression and Behaviour Referral

Dog aggression is a welfare problem for both dogs and humans, with fear-based aggression the most common form requiring specialist behaviour assessment and evidence-based treatment.

Key Facts

Fear is the most common underlying cause of dog aggression in companion dogs
Punishment-based treatment worsens fear aggression and reduces welfare
Clinical Animal Behaviourist assessment is gold standard for aggression treatment
Many aggressive dogs are euthanased without appropriate referral for behavioural treatment
Early socialisation significantly reduces risk of fear-based aggression development

Welfare Considerations

Dog aggression welfare requires accurate diagnosis of underlying cause, appropriate specialist referral, evidence-based treatment, and realistic prognosis. Many dogs with aggression are manageable with appropriate treatment and management. Punishment-based approaches compromise welfare and are contraindicated.

What You Can Do

Seek Clinical Animal Behaviourist assessment for any dog showing aggression
Avoid punishment-based approaches to aggression which worsen welfare and outcome
Support early puppy socialisation to reduce lifelong aggression risk