Dear VetBabble,
I have a 10-year-old male boxer/mastiff who has become increasingly aggressive towards strangers. He has tried to bite someone four times, although he’s well-behaved with my family. I’m not sure what we can do to help him. Are there any underlying medical reasons or treatments we can explore?
Understanding and Addressing Your Dog’s Aggression
Your concern for your dog’s aggressive behavior is understandable. It’s essential to address the issue to ensure the safety of both your dog and others. This article aims to cover the potential underlying causes of your dog’s aggression and provide recommendations to manage and reduce these unwanted behaviors.
Rule Out Medical Causes
First, it’s essential to visit your veterinarian to determine if your dog’s aggression might be due to an underlying medical condition. Sudden changes in behavior can often be caused by illness or injury. Your vet will likely recommend running bloodwork, including a thyroid panel, to rule out any health issues contributing to your dog’s behavior.
If your dog is given a clean bill of health, the focus should shift to examining behavioral issues and any age-related changes that might contribute to his aggression. A veterinary behaviorist can help you identify triggers and create a plan to address them.
Behavioral Interventions and Management
While working with a veterinary behaviorist, there are several steps you can take to help manage your dog’s aggression:
1. Use pheromone products: Products such as an Adaptil collar or DAP plug-in diffusers can help reduce your dog’s aggressive tendencies by mimicking natural calming pheromones.
2. Gradual introduction to strangers: Make a conscious effort to expose your dog to new people slowly. Start by introducing him to one stranger at a time for brief periods and gradually increase the duration of these interactions. Be sure to correct negative behavior immediately and praise/reward your dog when he responds appropriately.
3. Train and redirect: Teaching your dog not to bark or lunge at other dogs during walks can help redirect his energy and reduce aggression. There are resources available to help you with these training techniques, such as the articles Teaching Your Dog Not to Bark and Does Your Dog Lunge at Other Dogs When Out Walking?.
4. Examine training methods: It’s essential to choose modern, positive training methods when working with your dog, as outdated techniques based on dominance can contribute to aggression. Learn more about this by reading Modern Dog Training: The Dominance Myth.
5. Seek professional help: If your dog’s aggression persists despite these efforts, it might be necessary to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist experienced in addressing aggressive behavior. Be sure to choose a trainer that employs positive reinforcement techniques.
In conclusion, it’s vital to rule out any medical issues that may contribute to your dog’s aggression and, if necessary, seek professional help to identify and address any triggers. By using the appropriate training techniques and giving your dog some time, it’s possible to help him regain his confidence and improve his behavior around strangers.
