Has your dog been acting up lately? Fido is a wonderful pet and companion, but he isn’t perfect. Our canine buddies don’t process information about the world the same way we do, and they definitely don’t speak the same language. There are plenty of pups that are lovable, friendly, happy, and just naturally mischievous. However, dogs can also have many of the same types of mental and emotional issues as humans can. These include things like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and OCD. They may also be prone to behavioral issues, which can be best addressed with behavioral counseling. Read on as a local Napa County, CA vet discusses behavioral counseling in dogs.

When Should You Take A Dog To A Behaviorist?

As a general rule of thumb,  we would say that when the issue begins or has the capacity to affect your pet’s life, safety, or happiness and/or endangers the health or well-being of people and/or other animals around him, it’s time to look into the matter.

That said, there is one huge red flag that a dog needs behavioral training, and that is aggression. 

Behavioral Counseling And Aggression

Dogs can act aggressive for many reasons. 

Some dogs are triggered by certain things: a specific type of person or dog. Fido may try to attack the mailman, but may be perfectly fine with the neighbor who gives him treats over the fence. It’s also worth noting that sometimes dogs are aggressive to people but not to other dogs. In some cases, the reverse is true.

Needless to say, aggression in big dogs can be very dangerous. However, even small dogs can bite, and would still need training or counseling.

There are several types of aggression that can come into play here. Let’s take a closer look: 

Fear Aggression: Most of the time, when dogs attack, it is because they feel that a person or animal poses a threat to them or their ‘pack,’ which could be their humans, their puppies, or other pets. Dogs can also become fearful if they have been confined and can’t get away from the thing that is frightening them. This sometimes becomes a downward spiral, because Fido may learn that biting or attacking gets the threat to back away. 

Resource Guarding: This is something that comes into play when somebody gets too close to something Fido doesn’t want to share or have taken away. Food is a prime example. Resource guarding with food is often, though not always, a sign that a pup has had to struggle for food in the past. Dogs may also guard things like toys, chews, or even beds. Unfortunately, sometimes people make the matter worse. If Fido growls when you take his toy, and you yell at him, then the negative association may make him even more prone to aggression. 

Play Aggression: Our canine pals are pack animals and hunters in the wild. These things very much come to the surface when dogs play with each other. It’s not always easy to tell the difference between playful jostling and roughhousing. This is one reason socialization is so important for puppies: interacting with other dogs gives them a chance to learn by example. That said, keep an eye on your pet’s body language during play. If he’s doing that adorable ‘bow’ with his front paws down and his rear up, he’s being playful. If he’s stiff, showing his teeth, licking his lips, or snarling, he may not be feeling very jovial. 

Redirected Aggression: Dogs sometimes act up and lash out at the nearest thing when they cannot reach their intended target. One example? A dog biting the person who pulls him away from a dog he doesn’t get along with.

Protective Aggression: Many dogs were bred to guard their humans, property, or livestock. Dogs can also get extremely protective over their home territories. Fido may also feel like he needs to defend his toys, food, or bed. 

Predatory Aggression: Out of all the types of aggression, this is the most dangerous. For one thing, it’s often completely unprovoked. Fido may also not give much warning if he is attacking out of predatory instincts. Even worse, predatory dogs often go after small animals or young children. Any pooch that has exhibited this sort of aggression should definitely be handled carefully. Training and behavioral counseling may not be enough to override that instinct, so you’d also need to take extra precautions, such as getting a very secure fence and being diligent about keeping Fido leashed and under control. 

Maternal Aggression: This one likely isn’t surprising, and it certainly isn’t restricted to dogs. Nearly all animals feel fiercely protective of their babies!

Pain: Being sick or in pain is not much of a mood booster for Fido, and may make him more prone to attacking. This is often the case when a usually-friendly dog suddenly begins showing signs of aggression. Certain medical issues, such as hypothyroidism or organ dysfunction may increase the risk. If your normally-sweet dog has started acting aggressive, contact your vet.

What Are Signs Of Behavioral Problems In Pets?

Aggression isn’t the only issue that may require professional treatment.

Here are some others:

• Trying to escape
• Shaking/Trembling
• Drooling
• Pacing
• Barking
• Hiding
• Growling
• Snapping
• Lunging
• Resource Guarding
• Phobias
• Inappropriate Soiling
• Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors

Fido’s breed may come into play here. For instance, huskies are known to try to escape. They’re hardwired to want to patrol their territory, but don’t necessarily associate things like fences as marking the edge of their domains. Larger dogs, such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Great Danes, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Saint Bernards, are more prone to OCD-type issues, while many terriers have a strong prey drive. 

What Are The Risk Factors For Aggression?

Any dog can become aggressive under certain circumstances. For instance, even the sweetest pup can bite if they are injured. That said, there are certain things that would elevate the danger Fido poses to others.

Here are some key factors:

• Size: As mentioned above, even small dogs can pose a risk. However, in general, the bigger the dog, the bigger the risk. 
• Age: Fido’s age also comes into play. It’s much easier to correct an issue in a puppy than in an adult. 
• History: Your pet’s bite history is another factor. Dogs that have bitten before are more likely to attack again.
• Behavior/Intent: Another thing to take into account is the force or intent of the behavior. Some dogs are, as the saying says, all bark and no bite. If Fido growls at strangers but never goes past that, he’s going to be a safer pet than a pooch that has a history of attacking. (That doesn’t mean the behavior is okay; it should still be addressed.)
• While it’s rare that dogs give no warning before biting. There are signs to look for, such as showing the whites of the eyes. However, that doesn’t mean Fido will give much warning.
• Triggers: Triggers are another factor. Is your pet normally fine, but gets worked up when exposed to a certain stimulus or put in a certain situation? Does Fido growl at every dog he sees?

Make An Appointment At Your Napa County, CA Pet Clinic

Do you think your pup could benefit from behavioral training? Is your dog due for an exam? Contact us, your local Napa County, CA pet hospital, anytime.