Aggression In Dogs
When a threat or challenge is ultimately resolved by combat or deference (showing respect toward a superior).
Types of Aggression:
• Dominance Aggression – Aggression shown toward people in order to dominate/control them.

Aggression In Dogs
When a threat or challenge is ultimately resolved by combat or deference (showing respect toward a superior).
Types of Aggression:
• Dominance Aggression – Aggression shown toward people in order to dominate/control them.
• Fear Aggression – When dogs are fearful of humans and they show aggressive behavior.
• Interdog Aggression – Usually between two male or two female dogs.
• Protective Aggression – The animal perceives that their owner is threatened and displays aggressive behavior.
• Predatory Aggression – When a dog stalks, stares at or silently pursues small animals or objects such as bicycles.
• Territorial Aggression – When a pet protects its location with aggression.
• Food-Related Aggression – Aggression toward another pet or human when food is presented, being eaten, or being taken away.
• Possessive Aggression – When dogs will not relinquish toys or objects to their owner.
• Redirected Aggression – When a dog is stopped from pursuing an aggressive behavior, they may re-direct their aggression to another pet or person.
• Pain Aggression – An aggressive response when in pain.
• Play Aggression – Involves growling, snapping or barking while playing.
• Idiopathic Aggression – Aggression for which there is no known cause.
• Maternal Aggression – Occurs during pregnancy, right before or after giving birth. The mother dog may incorrectly perceive a threat and may show aggressive actions.
Signs of Aggression:
Signs of aggression include snarling, growling, nipping, barking, biting, staring, a rigid stance, hair standing up on the neck or back, ears back, baring teeth, wagging tail, etc.
Causes of Aggression:
Possible causes of aggression include genetics, environment, breed, hormones, teasing, often fear, etc.
Treatments for Aggression:
If your dog has a problem with aggression, the first thing to do is have your veterinarian examine him or her. After the exam and any tests, the doctor will give you advice on what he or she thinks would be the best option for your pet. Treatment may include altering the way you interact with your dog, trying a head collar, changing where or when your dog sleeps, eats, or plays, dog training, spaying or neutering, or medication. You may be given options to try at home or be referred to a behavioral specialist.
Anxiety In Dogs
When the apprehensive anticipation of future danger or misfortune is accompanied by symptoms of tension.
Types of Anxiety:
• Fear – A feeling of apprehension associated with the presence or proximity of an object, individual or social situation. Example: Being afraid of people.
• Phobia – A profound and quickly developed fear reaction that does not get better over time. Example: Being afraid of noises such as thunderstorms, fireworks, & ambulances.
• Separation Anxiety – When animals exhibit symptoms of anxiety or excessive distress and/or behavior problems when they are left alone.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – Recurrent, frequent thoughts or actions that are out of context to the situations in which they occur. Example: tail chasing, flank sucking (usually in Dobermans), wool chewing (usually in Oriental cat breeds), fly biting, fence running, self-mutilation (licking/chewing), hair or air biting, pacing, staring, vocalizing, some aggressions.
Signs of Anxiety:
Attempts to escape, pacing, excessive drooling, hiding, lowering and tucking the tail, flattening the ears, raised hair along the shoulders and hips, dilated pupils, hiding, shedding, whining, destroying things, excessive panting, shivering, inappropriate urination and defecation, alertness, restlessness, anorexia (not eating), vocalizing (barking/howling), depression, decrease in activity, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive licking, dominance aggression, inter-animal aggression, excessive celebration when owner returns, etc.
Causes of Anxiety:
Breed, abandonment, a traumatic event, a life change (such as a move), a new member in the household, loud noises, other dogs, the addition of a new pet, establishing a hierarchy, etc.
Treatments for Anxiety:
• Sometimes it is hard for you to determine if the symptoms are due to anxiety or a medical problem, so a visit to your veterinarian is the first step. Your vet will determine if the problem is due to anxiety and suggest the best treatment. If you know the source of the problem, it can be resolved faster. Your response to the problem may be helping or be making it worse. Treatments can range from gradually exposing the pet to the problem to medication (as a last resort). Your veterinarian may suggest a referral to a veterinary behaviorist.
• Use D.A.P.® (Dog Appeasing Phermone)
o A synthetic pheromone that helps to calm and reassure dogs of all ages.
o Available in a spray, diffuser or collar.
o Get it at: Pets & Friends, Petsmart, Petco
• Use Composure™ Chews
o An advanced chewable formula that decreases nervousness, hyperactivity, anxiety, or oth