Through talking to your vet, making a note of their triggers, giving them space, and offering them consistency, you can work to reduce aggression in your senior dog. Even the most docile dog can have issues with aggression as they age.
There are many potential medical reasons for aggression in older dogs that need to be ruled out. From arthritis to cognitive dysfunction there's a lot your vet can help with. And even if there isn't a medical reason, your vet will be able to recommend an animal behaviourist to help your older dog learn to cope.
However, there's no guarantee that an aggressive dog can be completely cured. In many cases, the only solution is to manage the problem by limiting a dog's exposure to the situations, people or things that trigger her aggression. There's always risk when dealing with an aggressive dog.
Is it too late to train an aggressive dog? It's never too late to teach an old dog new tricks, and the same can be said of aggression.
A multitude of factors can contribute to an increase in a dog's aggressive behavior. Medical conditions that affect your dog's appetite, mobility, cognition, senses or hormones can lead to increased aggression, as can conditions that cause him pain or irritability.
By about two years of age, many dogs have reached the full extent of whatever aggression they have in them, and there may be a dogfight or biting incident around this time.
There are multiple reasons that a dog may exhibit aggression toward family members. The most common causes include conflict aggression, fear-based, defensive aggression, status related aggression, possessive aggression, food guarding aggression and redirected aggression.
Running is not advisable
Not only is it unlikely that you get away, but running could also escalate the situation. Many dogs have instincts to chase suspicious people (police dogs for instance) or pursue their prey. If you turn your back and run, you may become either of these things in the eyes of the dog.
The dog-dog relationship will not be improved if you scold, punish or hold down a dog as punishment; in fact you may make it worse by punishing the dog for signaling and communicating their aggressive intentions. Good communication between the dogs is actually helpful to avoid serious fights.
Can a Dog That Bites Ever Be Trusted Again? With enough patience and care, many dogs can learn how to manage their stress levels more effectively. As you build better communication skills with your dog, you'll also start to rebuild your trust with them.
Remove visual stimulus, get something between you (umbrella, car, garbage pail, blanket, etc.). Try firmly telling the approaching dog a familiar cue, such as “sit” or “stay.” Toss a large handful of treats on top of their head to startle them. The bigger the “treat bomb,” the more time you have to walk away.
Treatment. It's important to keep in mind that there is no such thing as a cure for aggression.
Many older dogs show increased aggression, anxiety, or compulsive behaviors. These behaviors are aggravated by body inflammation, sensory changes, and cognitive decline.
There are several common triggers for sudden aggression in dogs, including fear, anxiety, illness or pain, frustration with an activity or interaction, lack of proper socialization or training from an early age, a desire to protect resources (such as food or toys), and even boredom.
An aggressive dog poses a danger to us and other humans. It tells us the dog is unhappy. Even in a mild form or in a small dog, aggression typically signals the dog is tense and not enjoying his life at that moment – or, sometimes, not at all.
Fixing dog aggression is not quick or easy in most cases, but with the right dog training expert, it can be done.
Do not scream at your dog as this flies in the face of what you feel like doing. Yelling at your dog does not work because it will just get him more stressed or it will only increase his energy level and how excited he is about the situation.
Though many dogs maintain a cheerful disposition throughout their lives, a combination of factors related to aging can lead to “grumpy dog syndrome,” the unofficial term for the phenomenon of a dog exhibiting an increase in aggression due to the combined effects of aging.
The life of a dog suffering from fear aggression can be very hard, but many of them do just fine if they are with one owner or a family that they can trust. If you want to introduce them to a new person, it can be done if that person is willing to give them treats and allow the dog to approach at their own pace.
One thing to keep in mind is that while you might think the muzzle would only serve to make your dog more agitated, the reality is that most dogs will actually calm down once they are muzzled. A muzzle often creates a quieter, more relaxed, and much safer environment for your dog, your vet, and yourself.
This is a problem that can be solved if you use a comprehensive approach. Contact your veterinarian and he will definitely tell you how to properly socialize your dog and how to build training for them. At first, it can be difficult to cope with aggression, but remember that every pet can change for the better.
Fearfulness, Pain, Age, and Sex May All Play a Role in Dog Aggression. Researchers in Helsinki studied more than 9,000 dogs to uncover the most common factors shared by those displaying aggressive behaviors, such as growling, barking, snapping, and biting.
Dr. Dodman: Drugs might help a dog not to act aggressively, but they won't tell a dog how to act. Only a dedicated owner can show a dog what behaviors to replace aggressive behaviors with, how to get on in the world in a new way. In addition, not all dogs need medication to control their aggression.