Companion Animal Behavior Program
DOG AGGRESSION
bibliographies, websites & resources
Overview
Blackshaw JK. 1991. An overview of types of aggressive behaviour in dogs and methods of treatment. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. Vol. 30(3/4): 351-361.
Cameron DB. Canine dominance associated aggression: Concepts, incidence, and treatment in a private behavior practice. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 1997 Vol.52(3-4): 243-263.
Golab GC. 1998. New task force addresses canine aggression. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Oct 15;213(8):1097, 1108.
Interdog Aggression
Campbell WE. 1977. Multiple dog aggression. The classic bitch case [Problem behavior in dogs]. Mod. Vet. Pract. Apr 58(4): 369-370, 372-373.
Juarbe-Diaz SV. 1997. Social dynamics and behavior problems in multiple-dog households. Veterinary Clinics of North Americal Small Animal Practice. 27(3):497-514.
Shyan MR, Fortune KA, King, C. 2003. “Bark parks" -- a
study on interdog aggression in a limited-control environment.
Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. 6(1):25-32.
Abstract:
As limited-control dog parks become more popular, concerns arise about
whether these parks encourage interdog aggression. Systematic
observations made at 1
park in Indianapolis, USA over 72 h (between 1600 and 1830 h, 3-5 times
a week) across 8 months (between March and November 2001) found
that 28 conflicts or potential conflicts occurred ( < 0.5%). Of
these,
14 were clear aggressive episodes. Each lasted less than 1 min ( <
0.33% of total observation time). There were 14 other incidents of
possible
aggression that were ambiguous in nature. Each lasted less than 30
seconds
( < 0.17%). None of these incidents led to serious injury. Of the
177
dogs observed, only 9 were aggressive toward other dogs (5%): 6
aggressors,
once each; 2 aggressors, twice each and 1 aggressor, 3 times. Results
indicate
that aggression in limited-control dog parks may be relatively rare and
probably presents only a limited risk to dogs and their caregivers
(owners).
In part, this may be because owners who frequent dog parks are
self-selecting,
self-monitoring and self-limiting in regard to dog aggression.
In Database: CAB
Roll A, Unshelm J. 1997. Aggressive
conflicts amongst dogs and factors affecting them. Applied
Animal Behaviour Science. 52(3-4):229-42.
Abstract:
Over one year, 206 dog owners were questioned in a veterinary clinic.
The survey included two groups: 151 owners who visited the clinic
because of an injury to their dog caused by another dog and 55 people
who owned dogs that caused injuries to others. The questioning served
to compare
aggressors and victims of dog fights. The form contained 43 questions
concerning the dog, the owner, and the incident of intraspecific
aggression.
The results reveal that both groups, victim and aggressor, showed
regularities regarding the breeds, gender, and process of the fight.
Important factors included housing conditions, criteria concerning the
selection of a dog, and the dog's training. Significant differences
were found comparing the owners of aggressors and their victims,
including the owner's gender, profession, age, his/her attitude towards
dogs, the selection of a specific breed, training methods, the purpose
of keeping a dog, and previous experiences owning
a dog. Further conclusions were drawn regarding the time and location
of
the incidents. Their influence on a potential solution to the problem
caused by aggressive dogs is discussed.
Rugbierg H, Proschowsky HF, et al. 2003. Risk
factors associated with interdog aggression and shooting phobias among
purebred dogs in Denmark. Preventitive Veterinary Medicing.
58(1-2):85-100.
Abstract:
The prevalence of behaviour problems is reported from a questionnaire
study among members of the Danish Kennel Club (DKC). In total, 4359 dog
owners were included in the analyses. With logistic regression, we
analysed four behaviour problems: dominance towards the owner, interdog
dominance aggression, separation anxiety and shooting phobia. Compared
to Labrador
Retrievers, the following breeds and breed groups had higher odds of
being
reported to have interdog dominance aggression: Belgian Sheepdogs,
Dachshunds,
Dalmatians, German Shepherds, Hovawarts, Pinschers, Rottweilers, Scent
dogs
and Spitz dogs. Poodles, retrieving/flushing dogs, Sheepdogs, Spitz
dogs
and terriers had higher odds of shooting phobia. The odds of interdog
dominance
aggression were higher among dogs owned by younger dog owners compared
to
dogs owned by older dog owners. Dogs living in the capital area of
Copenhagen
had increased odds of interdog dominance aggression as compared to dogs
living
in other parts of Denmark. Dogs belonging to owners with limited
knowledge
of the breed before acquiring the dog had higher odds of interdog
dominance
aggression. Dogs attending obedience training classes had reduced odds
of
shooting phobia. Dogs belonging to dog breeders had reduced odds of
being
reported to have the investigated behaviour problems.
Sherman CK, Reisner IR, et al. 1996. Characteristics,
treatment, and outcome of 99 cases of aggression between dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 47(1-2):91-108.
Abstract:
99 cases of aggression between dogs treated at the Animal Behaviour
Clinic at Cornell University between 1983 and 1993 were analysed. In
73 cases the aggression was a conflict between dogs in the same
household, whereas in 26 cases the aggression was directed at
non-household dogs.
71% of the dogs that started fights were purebred and German Shepherd
dogs
were most numerous of the 38 breeds represented. Compared with American
Kennel Club registrations, household aggression was less frequent among
toy and sporting breeds, and more numerous among herding and
non-sporting
breeds. Terrier breeds were more prevalent among cases of non-household
aggression. Overall, more females initiated household aggression,
whereas
more males attacked non-household dogs. For household aggression,
same-sex
pairs, especially females, were far more numerous than opposite-sex
pairs.
Of dogs that started household fights, 58% were younger and 59% arrived
in the home more recently than the target dog. Household fights were
more
serious than fights with outsiders; fights between female house-mates
tended
to be more severe than other gender combinations. Excitement was the
most
frequent trigger of household fighting. Treatments recommended for
household
aggression were desensitization with counter-conditioning and obedience
training;
neutering and a head halter were most often suggested for non-household
aggression. In the owners' opinion, treatment improved 59% of household
cases and 52% of non-household cases. After treatment, 56% of dogs
exhibiting household aggression could be together when supervised,
whereas 76% of those exhibiting non-household aggression could be
around outsiders under leash control.
Cases of household aggression in which the attacking dog was younger
than
its target, a person had been bitten, or the owner could not predict
aggressive episodes were less likely to be improved than cases in which
these situations did not occur.
Dog-Human Aggression
Appleby DL, Bradshaw JW, Casey RA. 2002. Relationship
between aggressive and avoidance behaviour by dogs and their experience
in the first six months of life. Vet Rec. Apr 6;150(14):434-8.
Abstract:
The early experiences of dogs showing signs of avoidance behaviour or
aggression were compared with those of dogs from the same clinical
population that did not show such behaviour. The occurrence of each
behavioural sign was tested for its association with the dog's maternal
environment, the environment it experienced between three and six
months of age, and the
age at which it had been acquired. Non-domestic maternal environments,
and
a lack of experience of urban environments between three and six months
of age, were both significantly associated with aggression towards
unfamiliar people and avoidance behaviour. Aggression during a
veterinary examination was more likely in dogs from non-domestic
maternal environments. There
was no significant association with either environment for aggression
towards familiar people, or towards dogs.
Avis S.P. 1999. Dog pack attack: hunting humans. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. Sep;20(3):243-6.
Abstract:
Dog bite-related fatalities, although unusual, accounted for 304 deaths
in the United States between 1979 and 1996 and 6 fatalities in Canada
between 1994 and 1996. Fatal dog pack attacks and attacks involving
human
predation are less common. The following describes a dog pack attack on
a family of four involving 2 fatalities with predation of the victims.
Factors previously identified that contribute to pack attacks and
predation, including prior group hunting, social feeding, territorial
defense,
lack of human interaction, and prey stimuli, are discussed.
Butcher R, deMeester R, et al. 2001. Dangerous dogs -- are we getting it right?. European Journal of Companion Animal Practice. 12(1):41-8. This paper originally appeared in: J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2001, 15, 209-216.
Dodman NH; Moon R; Zelin M. 1996. Influence of owner personality type on expression and treatment outcome of dominance aggression in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Vol.209(6): 1107-9.
Langley J. 1997. Controlling dangerous dogs. New Zealand Medical Journal. 110:1056, 427-8.
Luescher AU. 2000. Animal behavior case of the month. Aggression toward household members. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Oct 15;217(8):1143-5.
Manteca X. 1998. Animal behavior case of the month. A dog was evaluated because of severe aggression directed exclusively toward one of its owners. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Sep 1;213(5):616-8.
Overall KL. 1995. Animal behavior case of the month. Periodic aggression toward the owner. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Mar 1;206(5):629-32.
Overall KL, Webber W. 1998. Aggressive behaviour in dogs. Companion animal session and veterinary nursing session, 75th Jubilee NZVA Conference, Rotorua, New Zealand, 29 June-2 July. Veterinary Continuing Education. 185:67-85.
Podberscek AL, Serpell JA. 1997. Aggressive behaviour
in English cocker spaniels and the personality of their owners.
Vet Rec. Jul 19;141(3):73-6.
Abstact:
The aim of the study was to determine whether there is an association
between the personality of the owners of English cocker spaniels and
the expression of aggressive behaviour by their dogs.
Two-hundred-and-eighty-five owners of purebred English cocker spaniels
completed the Catell 16 Personality Questionnaire.
One-hundred-and-twenty-eight of them owned 153 dogs previously
classified as being 'low' in terms of aggressiveness and 157 owned 172
dogs classified as being 'high' in terms of aggressiveness. Both groups
of owners were similar in terms of a variety of demographic variables,
including the number of adults and children in the household, the type
of
house and the sex of the owner. The dogs in both groups were similar in
age, age when acquired and sex ratio. Analyses of the data using
unpaired t-tests revealed that the owners of high aggression dogs were
significantly more likely to be tense (P < 0.001), emotionally less
stable (P < 0.01),
shy (P < 0.01) and undisciplined (P < 0.05) than owners of low
aggression
dogs.
Pryor P. Animal behavior case of the month. An English Cocker Spaniel was examined because of growling and snapping at people and dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Oct 1;223(7):954-6.
Rich, M.R. 1999. Animal behavior case of the month. Evaluation of aggression when food was present. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Dec 15;215(12):1780-2.
Schwartz S. 1998. Animal behavior case of the month. A dog was referred for evaluation of aggression towards its owner, visitors, and referring veterinarian. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Apr 1;212(7):959-61.
Takeuchi Y, Ogata N, et al. 2001. Differences
in background and outcome of three behavior problems of dogs.
Applied Animal Behaviour Science. Jan; 70(4):297-308.
Abstract:
In order to characterize the 3 major behavior problems, aggression
toward owners, aggression toward strangers, and separation anxiety,
backgrounds of dogs and general outcomes of the behavioral treatment
were analyzed retrospectively. There were 169 cases of aggression
toward owners, 84
cases of aggression toward strangers, and 78 cases of separation
anxiety
which did not overlap each other during the 5 years from 1993 to 1997
at
Cornell University Animal Behavior Clinic. Based on the case records,
including
discharge instructions, follow-up information, and presentation
questionnaires,
several variables were compared among these 3 groups. The sexual status
of these groups was not statistically different, although dogs with
aggression
toward owners had the highest proportion of males and there were males
in
all behavior groups than in the hospital population. Age differences
were
apparent among the 3 groups in relation to when the dogs were obtained,
and
the separation anxiety group was different from at least one of the
other
groups in the age when first obtained, the age the owners first noticed
the
problem, and the age of behavioral examination. There were no
significant
differences among behavioral groups with regards to the proportion of
dogs
reported improved.
PsychINFO Database
Uchida Y, Dodman N, et al. 1997. Characterization and
treatment of 20 canine dominance aggression cases. Journal of
Veterinary Medical Science. 59(5):397-399.
Abstract:
20 cases of dominance aggression in dogs presented at Tufts University
School of Veterinary Medicine, Massachusetts, USA, between December
1995 and June 1996 were characterized. A behavioural modification
programme which was taught to, and implemented by dog owners is
described. The efficacy of this non-confrontational behaviour
modification programme was investigated for each dog over 8 weeks. The
20 cases included 18 pure breed and 2 mixed breed dogs. 13 of the dogs
were male. The dogs were aged between 7 and 84 months
(32.1±22.64). There was no correlation between the severity of
dominance aggression and the signalment of the dogs. After the 8-week
follow up period, 14 dogs (70%) had responded to the treatment to some
degree and 6 dogs did not demonstrate any reduction in aggressive
behaviour or became more aggressive. It is concluded that the
non-confrontational
behaviour modification programme is an effective treatment for
dominance
aggression in dogs.
Health/Genetics and Aggression
DeNapoli JS, Dodman N, et al. 2000. Effect of dietary
protein content and tryptophan supplementation on dominance aggression,
territorial aggression, and hyperactivity in dogs. J Am Vet Med
Assoc. Aug 15;217(4):504-8.
Abstract:
To evaluate the effect of high- and low-protein diets with or without
tryptophan supplementation on behavior of dogs with dominance
aggression, territorial aggression, and hyperactivity. DESIGN:
Prospective crossover study. ANIMALS: 11 dogs with dominance
aggression, 11 dogs with territorial aggression, and 11 dogs with
hyperactivity. PROCEDURE: In each group,
4 diets were fed for 1 weeks each in random order with a transition
period of not < 3 days between each diet. Two diets had low protein
content
(approximately 18%), and 2 diets had high protein content
(approximately
30%). Two of the diets (1 low-protein and 1 high-protein) were
supplemented
with tryptophan. Owners scored their dog's behavior daily by use of
customized
behavioral score sheets. Mean weekly values of 5 behavioral measures
and
serum concentrations of serotonin and tryptophan were determined at the
end of each dietary period. RESULTS: For dominance aggression,
behavioral
scores were highest in dogs fed unsupplemented high-protein rations.
For
territorial aggression, [corrected] tryptophan-supplemented low-protein
diets were associated with significantly lower behavioral scores than
low-protein diets without tryptophan supplements. CONCLUSIONS AND
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For dogs with dominance aggression, the addition of
tryptophan to high-protein diets or change to a low-protein diet may
reduce aggression. For dogs with territorial aggression, tryptophan
supplementation of a low-protein diet may be helpful in reducing
aggression.
Fatjo J, Stub C, Manteca X. 2002. Four cases of aggression and hypothyroidism in dogs. Vet Rec. Nov 2;151(18):547-8.
Houpt KA, Willis MB, et al. 2001. Genetics of behaviour.
The Genetics of the Dog. 371-400.
Abstract:
This review of dog behaviour begins with consideration of wolf
behaviour, behaviour changes during domestication and the ontogeny of
behaviour
and neotenization,
followed by that of genetics and behavioural selection of working and
pet dogs. The section on behaviour of pet dogs covers (1) breed
differences in behaviour, (2) intelligence and trainability, (3)
aggression, (4) abnormal behaviour, (5) obsessive compulsive behaviour,
(6) sex differences in
behaviour, and (7) candidate genes for misbehaviour.
Penturk S, Yalcin E. 2003. Hypercholesterolaemia in
dogs with dominance aggression. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin
Med. Sept 50(7):339-42.
Abstract:
Serum lipids and lipoprotein concentrations have been associated with
dominance aggression in humans. The aim of this study was to
investigate the link between serum lipids, including cholesterol,
triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) to HDL-C ratio
and dominance aggression in dogs. Levels of serum TC, triglyceride and
HDL-C were significantly lower in
dogs with dominance aggression compared with non-aggressive dogs (P
<
0.001). These results suggest that a relationship exists between serum
lipid profile and dominance aggression in dogs, and
hypocholesterolaemia exists in dogs with dominance aggression.
Van den Berg L, Schilder MB, Knol BW. 2003. Behavior
genetics of canine aggression: behavioral phenotyping of golden
retrievers by
means of an aggression test. Behavior Genetics. Sep
33(5):469-83.
Abstact:
Molecular genetic analysis of complex traits such as aggression
strongly depends on careful phenotyping of individuals. When studying
canine aggression, the information provided by the owners of the dogs
is often not detailed and reliable enough for this purpose. Therefore
we subjected 83 golden retrievers, both aggressive and nonaggressive
individuals,
to a behavioral test. These tests were analyzed with help of an
ethogram,
resulting in a behavioral profile for each of the dogs. In this article
three methods are described of converting these profiles into a measure
of behavioral phenotype. The usefulness of the methods is evaluated by
comparing
the test results with information provided by owners. Moreover, the
hypothesis
underlying all these methods, that a lowered threshold for aggressive
behavior
in general is present in the dogs, is also evaluated. Future research
will
need to reveal whether the methods meet the high standards that are
necessary
for studying complex traits.
Virga V, Houpt KA, Scarlett JM. Efficacy of amitriptyline as a pharmacological adjunct to behavioral modification in the management of aggressive behaviors in dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2001 Vol.37(4): 325-30.
Williams NG, Borchelt PL, et al. 2003. Ambulatory
monitoring of cardiovascular responses during behavioral modification
of an aggressive dog. Biomed Sci Instrum.(39):214-9.
Abstract:
Previous work from our lab has used the Dutch Ambulatory Monitoring
System (AMS) to assess the cardiovascular responses and motility of
large free-ranging species (e.g. horses). To further examine the
utility of
using the AMS with non-humans, a study investigating the heart rate
(HR)
and heart period variability (HRV) of a large canine undergoing
behavioral
modification therapy was undertaken. This treatment emulated a
restraint
and tactile pressure technique that has previously been used in horses.
Cardiovascular responses and motility were continuously measured
pre-treatment
(exposure to a stimulus dog), during treatment (in-box), and
post-treatment.
The treatment consisted of placing the dog in a 110 cm (long) by 45 cm
(wide)
by 102 cm (height) wooden box that only covered the animals' torso and
legs
and allowed the head to be free. Once the dog was in the box, the body
was
covered with a lightweight material (grain product) to effect restraint
and
tactile pressure, which was followed by a repeat exposure to the
stimulus
animal. Results indicated decreased heart rate and an increased HRV
during
the intervention as compared to baseline with indices of motility
changing
in the expected directions. Estimates of respiratory frequency derived
from
the autoregressive spectral analysis indicated changes in respiration
did
not account for the cardiovascular effects. In conclusion, tactile
pressure
and restraint may be an important tool for behavioral modification in
both
humans and animals, and the AMS is a useful tool for collecting
cardiovascular
data on a variety of species in a great many contexts.
White MM, Neilson JC, Hart BL, Cliff KD. 1999. Effects
of clomipramine
hydrochloride on dominance-related aggression in dogs. J Am Vet
Med
Assoc. Nov 1;215(9):1288-91.
Abstract:
To compare effects of the serotonergic drug clomipramine hydrochloride
with those of placebo for treatment of dominance-related aggression in
dogs. DESIGN: Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical
trial. ANIMALS: 28 neutered dogs > 1 year old with dominance-related
aggression. PROCEDURE: Dogs displaying > or = 3 aggressive
episodes/wk toward > or = 1 human family member in response to
identifiable behavioral triggers were included in the study. Owners
were instructed not to change patterns of interaction with their dogs
during the study. After 2 weeks of baseline observations, dogs were
treated for 6 weeks with clomipramine (1.5 mg/kg [0.7 mg/lb] of body
weight, q 12 h; n = 15) or placebo (13). Responses to triggers were
assigned the following aggression scores: no response, 0;
growl or lip curl, 1; snap or bite, 2. Mean scores for responses to
triggers were obtained during the 2-week pretreatment period (baseline)
and during the first and second weeks, third and fourth weeks, and
fifth and sixth weeks of treatment. At the end of the study, owners
assigned a score designed to evaluate their overall perceived change in
aggressiveness; this was referred to as the global score. RESULTS: Mean
aggression scores decreased at the fifth
and sixth week of treatment in both groups, compared with baseline
scores.
However, mean scores between groups were not different. Global scores,
assigned
by the owner, generally reflected changes in mean aggression scores.
CONCLUSIONS
AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Compared with placebo, clomipramine
administered to
dogs at the dosage recommended for treatment of separation anxiety did
not
reduce aggressiveness toward human family members.
Legislation
Breed Specific Int'l Legislation
SF Dog Press and Action Alerts
Yorkton Vicious Dog Legislation
Brown, N. 2001. UK and American "dangerous dogs"
legislation.
Aust Vet J. Dec;79(12):805.
Gale, R. 1995. Dangerous Dogs Act. Vet Rec. Apr 8;136(14):371.
Other Articles
Biting:
Causes, Prevention, and Control.DVM Frisby, Holly
List factors that may cause, control, and prevent biting, a form of
aggression in companion dogs.
Avoiding on Leash Dog Aggression. Canine University.
CBS News- "When the Dog Bites" How to avoid dog bites.
Guide Dogs for the Blind- Tips for keeping your little angel from becoming a devil dog.
SF/SPCA- Aggression: What you need to know.
avoid dog aggression - selected articles
American Veterinary Medical Association Task Force on Canine Aggression and Human-Canine Interactions.A community approach to dog bite prevention.J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001 Vol. 218(11): 1732-49.
Hart, BL; Hart, LA. Selecting, raising, and caring for dogs to avoid problem aggression.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1997 Vol.210(8):1129-34.
Heath S. Socialising puppies. Vet Rec. 1995 Vol..22;137(4): 103.
Love M, Overall KL. How anticipating relationships between dogs and children can help prevent disasters. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001 Vol 219(4): 446-53.
Riegger MH, Guntzelman J.Prevention and amelioration of stress and consequences of interaction between children and dogs.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1990 Vol. 196(11):1781-5.
Tortora, Daniel F. Safety training: The elimination of avoidance-motivated aggression in dogs.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. 1983 Vol.112(2): 176-214.
additional
Biting: Causes, Prevention, and Control. DVM Frisby, Holly
List factors that may cause, control, and prevent biting, a form of aggression in companion dogs.
Educational Resources for Dog Bite Prevention. American Medical Association
The site contains links to educational resources recommended by the AVMA.
behavioral treatments
Blackshaw, J.K. An overview of types of aggressive behaviour in dogs and methods of treatment. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 1991 Vol. 30(3/4): 351-361.
Cameron, D B. Canine dominance associated aggression: Concepts, incidence, and treatment in a private behavior practice.
Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 1997 Vol.52(3-4): 243-263.
Dodman, NH; Moon, R; Zelin, M. Influence of owner personality type on expression and treatment outcome of dominance aggression in dogs.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1996 Vol.209(6): 1107-9.
Lindell EM. Diagnosis and treatment of destructive behavior in dogs. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1997 Vol 27(3): 533-47.
Marder AR.49: Animal bites: behavior modification of the offending animal. Semin Vet Med Surg (Small Anim). 1991 Vol.6(3): 192-8.
Sherman, C.K. Characteristics, treatment, and outcome of 99 cases of aggression between dogs. Applied animal behaviour science. 1996 Vol.47(1/2): 91-108.
Uchida, Y; Dodman, N; DeNapoli, J; Aronson, L. Characterization and treatment of 20 canine dominance aggression cases.
J Vet Med Sci. 1997 Vol.59(5): 397-9.
Virga V, Houpt KA, Scarlett JM. Efficacy of amitriptyline as a pharmacological adjunct to behavioral modification in the management of aggressive behaviors in dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2001 Vol.37(4): 325-30.
Voith VL, Borchelt PL.Diagnosis and treatment of dominance aggression in dogs.Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1982 Vol.12(4): 655-63.
Young MS. Treatment of fear-induced aggression in dogs. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1982 Vol.12 (4): 645-53.
Behavior: Understanding and Modifying it. Moore, Cindy Tittle.
This site simply presents the causes and solutions of common dog problems such as aggression, destructiveness, and barking.
pharmaceutical treatments
Dodman, NH; Donnelly, R; Shuster, L; Mertens, P; Rand, W; Miczek, K. Use of fluozetine to treat dominance aggression in dogs.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1996 Vol.209(9): 1585-7.
Dodman NH, Miczek KA, Knowles K, Thalhammer JG, Shuster L. Phenobarbital-responsive episodic dyscontrol (rage) in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1992 Vol.15;201(10): 1580-3
Dodman, NH; Moon, R; Zelin, M. Influence of owner personality type on expression and treatment outcome of dominance aggression in dogs.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1996 Vol.209(6): 1107-9.
Lindell EM.Diagnosis and treatment of destructive behavior in dogs. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1997 Vol. 27(3):533-47
Sherman, C.K. Characteristics, treatment, and outcome of 99 cases of aggression between dogs. Applied animal behaviour science. 1996 Vol.47(1/2): 91-108.
Uchida, Y; Dodman, N; DeNapoli, J; Aronson, L. Characterization and treatment of 20 canine dominance aggression cases.
J Vet Med Sci. 1997 Vol.59(5): 397-9.
Virga, V; Houpt, KA; Scarlett, JM. Efficacy of amitriptyline as a pharmacological adjunct to behavioral modification in the management of aggressive behaviors in dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2001 Vol.37(4): 325-330.
White, MM; Neilson, JC; Hart, BL; Cliff, KD. Effects of clomipramine hydrocholride on dominance-related aggression in dogs.
J Am Vet Assoc. 1999 Vol.215(9): 1288-91.
dog aggression
Selected Journal Articles :
Beaver, B. V. Profiles of dogs presented for aggression. Journal American Animal Hospital Association. 1993. Vol. 29(6): 564-569.
Blackshaw, J.K. Dominance aggression of a dog towards one member of a family. Australian Veterinary Journal. 1996 Vol.74(5): 349-350
Bouw J.Aggressive behaviour in dogs. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd. 1989 Vol.114 Suppl 1: 97S-98S.
Campbell, WE. Behavior Problems in Dogs, 2nd edition. Amer. Vet. Pubs, Goleta,CA 1992. 202-204.
Dodman, NH; Moon, R; Zelin, M. Influence of owner personality type on expression and treatment outcome of dominance aggression in dogs.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1996 Vol.209(6): 1107-9.
Feddersen-Pettersen, DU. Biology of aggression in dogs. Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 2001 Vol.108(3):94-101
Goodloe, Linda P; Borchelt, Peter L. Companion dog temperament traits.
Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. 1998 Vol.1(4): 303-338.
Guy, N C, Luescher, UA; Dohoo, SE; Spangler, E; Miller, J B; Dohoo, I R; Bate, L A. Demographic and aggressive characteristics of dogs in a general veterinary caseload. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2001 Vol.74(1): 15-28.
Guy, N C, Luescher, UA; Dohoo, SE; Spangler, E; Miller, J B; Dohoo, I R; Bate, L A. A case series of biting dogs: Characteristics od dogs, their behaviour, and their victims. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2001 Vol.72(4): 43-57.
Hunthausen, W. Effects of aggressive behavior on canine welfare.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1997 Vol.210(8): 1134-6.
Luescher, AU. Animal behavior case of the month. Aggression toward household members.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000 Vol.217(8): 1143-5.
Netto, Willem J; Planta, Doreen J U. Behavioural testing for aggression in the domestic dog
Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 1997 Vol.52(3-4): 243-263.
O'Farrell, V. Behaviour problems in the dog: aggression towards people. The Veterinary annual. 1990 Vol.30: 196-199
Olivier B, Mos J, van Oorschot R, Hen R.Serotonin receptors and animal models of aggressive behavior. Pharmacopsychiatry. 1995 Vol. 28 Suppl 2: 80-90.
Pal, S K; Ghosh, B; Roy, S. Agonistic behaviour of free-ranging dogs (Canis familiaris) in relation to season, sex and age.
Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 1998 Vol.59(4): 331-348.
Reisner, IR. Differential diagnosis and management of human-directed aggression in dogs.
Vet Clin North Am Small Animal Practice. 2003 Vol.33(2): 303-20
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1. Aggression in Dogs: Practical Management, Prevention & Behaviour Modification
Author: Brenda Aloff Published: 2002
2. Understanding and Handling Dog Aggression
Author: Barbara Sykes Published: 2001
3. Dealing with your dogs aggressive behavior
Author: Katherine Houpt & Myrna Watanabe Published: 1999
Biting: Causes, Prevention, and Control. DVM Frisby, Holly
List factors that may cause, control, and prevent biting, a form of aggression in companion dogs.
Behavior: Understanding and Modifying it. Moore, Cindy Tittle.
This site simply presents the causes and solutions of common dog problems such as aggression, destructiveness, and barking.
Educational Resources for Dog Bite Prevention. American Medical Association
The site contains links to educational resources recommended by the AVMA.
videos -
Dog Aggression: Biting. ISBN 1-888047-15-1
Dog Aggression: Fighting. James & Kenneth Publishers. 1998 (home use). (1-888047-16-X). DDC: 626.7.
contributors: Vita Ng and Karla Opp
