Canine aggression toward people: a guide for practitioners

Karen Lynn C Sueda; Rachel Malamed

doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2014.01.008

Canine aggression toward people: a guide for practitioners

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2014 May;44(3):599-628. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2014.01.008. Epub 2014 Mar 12.

Authors

Karen Lynn C Sueda¹, Rachel Malamed²

Affiliations

¹ Behavior Service, VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, 1900 South Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA. Electronic address: Karen.Sueda@VCAHospitals.com.
² Dr. Rachel Malamed Behavior Consulting, 7119 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90035, USA.

PMID: 24766702
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2014.01.008

Abstract

This article reviews the various causes of human-directed aggression in dogs and provides a step-by-step plan guiding the general practitioner through history taking, behavior observations, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and follow-up care. Charts summarizing how to obtain behavioral information, the client's management options, treatment recommendations, diagnosis and treatment of human-directed aggression, and the clinician's role in preventing human-directed aggression are included. A graphic illustration of canine body language is also provided.

Keywords: Aggression; Behavior history; Body language; Canine; Dominance; Fear; Territorial aggression.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Aggression*
Animal Husbandry
Animals
Behavior, Animal*
Dogs*
Humans