What causes aggression in dogs?
Dog aggression can be caused by many factors, including:
- Lack of proper socialization as a puppy
- Abuse or neglect
- Improper training
- Medical conditions
- Genetics
- Fear and anxiety
- Protectiveness over resources like food, toys, etc.
- Dominance aggression
- Pain-induced aggression
- Territorial aggression
The most common causes tend to be lack of socialization, genetics, fear, poor training, and protecting resources. Puppies that are not properly socialized during their critical development periods often become wary of other dogs, people, or new experiences. Some breeds are genetically predisposed to be more aggressive as well. Fearful dogs may snap or bite out of self-defense. Improper training can reinforce aggressive behaviors. And dogs that feel the need to guard their food, toys, bed, etc. will become aggressive when they perceive a threat to those resources.
Is aggression curable in dogs?
In many cases, yes – dog aggression can be cured or significantly improved with proper training, socialization, and behavior modification techniques. However, it takes a lot of time, patience, and consistency to re-train an aggressive dog and some underlying causes like genetics can’t be completely “cured.” But even dogs with innate tendencies towards aggression can learn to control their behaviors through desensitization, counterconditioning, and teaching alternative behaviors.
With a customized training plan, most aggressive dogs can learn to tolerate triggers, control reactive impulses, and respond well to obedience cues, leading to greatly reduced aggressive episodes. However, the owner must remain vigilant and consistently reinforce training. Aggression may be managed but not 100% cured in some dogs.
Success Factors
Factors that improve the chances of successfully curing aggression in dogs:
- Starting training and socialization early, as a puppy
- Identifying and addressing underlying medical issues
- Working with an experienced dog trainer or behaviorist
- Remaining patient, consistent, and positive during training
- Using desensitization and counterconditioning techniques
- Providing enough physical and mental stimulation
- Helping the dog feel secure and avoiding situations that trigger reactivity
- Using anti-anxiety medications if necessary
The earlier aggressive behavior is identified and addressed, the better the prognosis. A dog behavior expert can design an individualized modification plan. Medications may help reduce anxiety in some cases. The owner’s commitment to consistency and patience is key. With time, an aggressive dog can learn better manners.
What training methods cure dog aggression?
Some of the most effective methods for curing aggression in dogs include:
- Desensitization – Gradually exposing the dog to triggers at a distance, rewarding calm behavior.
- Counterconditioning – Changing the dog’s emotional response to triggers by associating them with rewards.
- Obedience training – Teaching cues like “sit,” “down,” “look,” etc. to increase control.
- Positive reinforcement – Using rewards to encourage wanted behaviors instead of punishing unwanted ones.
- Environmental management – Avoiding or controlling exposure to triggers that cause reactive behavior.
- Medications – Anxiety drugs may be prescribed in some cases to facilitate training.
These techniques work to change the underlying emotional responses, teach alternative behaviors, build trust and communication, and prevent situations where aggression occurs. Punishment should always be avoided as it increases anxiety and can worsen aggression. The focus should be on rewarding the dog for making good choices.
What is the success rate for curing dog aggression?
The success rate for curing aggression in dogs varies depending on factors like:
- The underlying cause of aggression
- The dog’s age and history
- Breed tendencies
- The owner’s commitment to training
- The experience of the trainer/behaviorist
- Use of proper techniques
- Realistic expectations
Many studies show training programs have between a 50-70% success rate for significantly reducing aggressive behavior when done correctly. However, there are always some cases that simply do not respond well to training for various reasons.
Setting realistic expectations is important, as some innate traits may be managed but not fully “cured.” With consistency, patience and professional help, most dogs can learn to control their aggressive impulses. But the owner must understand that setbacks may occur and lifelong management is often required. The earlier training begins, the better the prognosis.
What are the risks of not treating dog aggression?
If aggressive behavior in dogs is left untreated, some significant risks include:
- The aggression often gets worse over time
- Bites or attacks on humans or other animals
- Injuries to the dog if others retaliate
- Development of anxiety, fear, and stress in the dog
- Restricted life for the dog due to confinement or isolation
- Poor relationship between the dog and family
- Difficulty having guests or visitors
- Difficulty taking the dog in public places
- Behavioral issues in other pets in the home
- Legal liability if the dog injures someone
- The dog being surrendered, abandoned, or euthanized
Aggression tends to worsen over time without treatment. It poses safety risks for people and animals and negatively impacts quality of life for the dog. Getting help from a veterinary behaviorist or certified trainer as soon as possible is highly recommended for both the safety and well-being of all involved.
What is the average cost to train an aggressive dog?
The average cost to train an aggressive dog ranges from $500-$5,000 USD or more, depending on factors such as:
- Where you live – Costs are higher in urban areas
- The severity of the aggression
- What type of aggression the dog displays
- Individual needs of the dog
- How customized the program needs to be
- Qualifications of the trainer
- Length of training course
- Whether group or private sessions are used
- Whether board and train programs are part of the process
On the lower end, group classes that address basic obedience and impulse control may cost $500-1,000. More complex cases requiring private sessions with veterinary behaviorists can cost $3,000-5,000 or more. “Board and train” programs where the dog lives temporarily with the trainer are more expensive still. Location also impacts rates, with trainers in metropolitan areas charging higher rates.
Most aggression cases require individually tailored training plans, placing costs on the upper end of the spectrum. But the investment in training is well worth it for enhancing safety and quality of life.
Conclusion
While not always quick or easy, professional behavior modification programs can successfully treat dog aggression in many cases by addressing the root causes of the behavior and providing alternative coping strategies. With time, patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement-based training, an aggressive dog can learn to control reactive impulses, de-escalate tense situations, and greatly improve their social skills and manners. The prognosis is best when aggressive behavior is identified early and managed immediately by dog behavior experts. With commitment from the owners and customized treatment plans, aggressive dogs can be cured of problematic behaviors in most scenarios. Ongoing management, precautions, supervision and training are often still required in more severe cases. But even then, the prognosis for reducing aggressive behavior and its risks is good under the guidance of knowledgeable veterinary behavior professionals.