The highly publicized court case involving Michael Vick and recent press articles have focused attention on the problem of dogs that are aggressive toward other canines. Dogs that fight with other dogs are a major challenge.Aggression severely limits a dog’s access in public and exposes the family to injury or major liability. As with all behavior problems, the best approach to dog on dog aggression is prevention.
If possible prevention should begin when the dog is a young puppy.Be sure the dog is exposed to other dogs, many types of people and new situations.The best time to do this is when the dog is 2-3 months old and its reactions to novel experiences are still forming.See our handout, Sociable Dogs are Happy Dogs for suggestions.
A good puppy kindergarten class or puppy play group can facilitate socialization.When puppies play together they learn to be comfortable around other dogs, to communicate in dog language and—most importantly—to inhibit the pressure of their bite.This ability, called “Acquired Bite Inhibition” is the most essential skill for dogs to learn, and after they acquire their permanent teeth at about 6 months of age their bite pressure is fixed for life.
Once your dog has learned good play skills as a puppy, continue regular play sessions.Friends with well-mannered dogs may be interested in play dates.A good doggy day care facility, where dogs are screened for appropriate behavior and closely supervised, is ideal.Well-run dog parks may also provide good play opportunities, but some of these facilities are poorly supervised and attended by owners and dogs whose behavior leaves much to be desired!It’s a good idea to watch the interaction at a dog park for several days before deciding whether it’s appropriate for your dog.
Dogs, like people, find certain situations stressful.If a dog is highly stressed and can’t relieve its anxiety by moving away, it may very well bite.Knowing your dog’s stressors and working to avoid them or reduce them will minimize the possibility of aggressive behavior.(See our handout on Desensitization and Counter-conditioning for details.)Review the handout on Warning Signals and Bite prevention to identify and treat the signs of stress.
If your dog is already showing aggressive behavior toward other dogs, it is essential to implement an effective management, training and behavior modification program.
Management means ensuring that your dog does not encounter other dogs in uncontrolled situation.When a dog has shown aggressive behavior, this becomes a lifetime responsibility. The dog should be under control at all times, leashed and wearing a head halter and/or no-pull harness, as well as a muzzle.When not on a leash, it should be securely confined behind in a safe area of the home or behind a physical fence.(Electric fences are less secure and their shocks may make aggressive behavior worse.)
Solid obedience training is essential. Teach your dog its name, an attention command and a recall.Work on loose-leash walking.Teach your dog a “leave it” command.(See our handout for the method.)The more control you have, the better you will be able to interrupt or prevent aggressive behavior.If your dog encounters another dog on a walk, give the attention cue, and reward lavishly for looking at you.If the dog ignores the command, try giving a “Time Out” using the method in our handout on that topic.
It may be possible to reduce your dog’s aggressive behavior through a systematic process of behavior modification.To do this, it will be necessary to halter and muzzle your dog and then expose it gradually to other dogs—starting at a safe distance and getting closer over time.You will need to recruit a friend with a “bomb-proof” dog—one that is very calm and well socialized.Begin with your dog stationary and the other dog walking by.When your dog detects the other canine, reward it with a novel, high value treat.Gradually decrease the distance.Over time, add more calm dogs to the environment.Eventually, permit your dog to play, on a long leash and muzzled, with one dog and then with several.Do this only under supervision of a behavior consultant or veterinary behaviorist, in accordance with the method outlined in our handout on Desensitization and Counter-conditioning.
For some dogs, medication can assist the process of behavior modification, but medication in itself may not be sufficient.Consult a qualified veterinary behaviorist for guidance.