One way the clinic handles difficult patients, he said, is by sedating them. To keep an animal still for an injection of sedative, the person handling it may attach it by leash and slip collar to a chain-link fence or partially pull it through a door, he said.
Medication is an often-underutilized tool that can greatly help with managing aggression in dogs, according to veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Overall.
Why might my dog show aggressive responses at the veterinary office? Many dogs are afraid when they come to the veterinary office and may show this fear as submissive urination, panting, drooling, avoidance, growling, snapping or biting.
These can come in diffusers, spray, collars or tablets. The pheromones that are secreted help calm your dog and make them less stressed for their visit. However this may not always work depending on the level of stress your dog is under.
Behavioral euthanasia is humanely ending a dog's life because of severe behavioral issues, such as aggression or extreme anxiety. Humane euthanasia is done by a veterinarian.
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) reports that anxious or aggressive dogs may require a sedative to reduce distress to the animal, and keep the veterinarian safe during any treatment.
Is training an aggressive dog possible? Yes. Aggression in dogs, whether it be toward a dog's owner or other dogs, is a serious behavior that should be adjusted with the help of a professional dog trainer.
Treatment. It's important to keep in mind that there is no such thing as a cure for aggression. Aggressive behaviors are managed and reduced through proper treatment with a veterinary behavioral professional. It's also essential to understand that aggression is a behavioral problem, not an issue of obedience.
Some dog behaviors—chronic jumping or whining—can go unchecked. Aggression isn't one of them. You don't want anyone to get hurt, within your family or elsewhere, and dog owners are ultimately responsible for the behavior of their dogs.
Drugs. Drugs are often used in animals that are too aggressive to handle safely when treatment is needed. This is usually in the form of sedation and or general anaesthesia.
The most common causes include conflict aggression, fear-based, defensive aggression, status related aggression, possessive aggression, food guarding aggression and redirected aggression.
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.
The behavior associated with Rage Syndrome includes outbursts of aggression that are intense and at times unpredictable. These episodes also tend to be large dramatic responses relative to a seemingly benign situation. Affected dogs often freeze, stare, and may rapidly escalate to biting.
Trazodone can both sedate a dog and relieve anxiety. This is a good dog sedative for grooming, veterinary visits, thunderstorms/fireworks, and other short-term stressful events. Side effects include low blood pressure, so trazodone may be used cautiously or avoided in patients with certain health conditions.
The episodes characteristic of rage syndrome can usually be stopped with anticonvulsant medication, such as phenobarbital. While some dogs only need a single dose, other may need lifelong treatment with periodic blood testing to monitor the results, as well as any side effects.
If your dog has bitten someone, it's natural to question whether you can ever trust them again. The good news is that in many situations, a dog that's bitten can go on to live a long and happy life with no other incidents.
Euthanizing for Behavior Issues
There is primarily only one reason dog owners consider euthanizing their dog for behavior issues. That issue is moderate to severe human aggression. There are other behavioral instances where euthanasia is a consideration, but human aggression is the most common.
Aggression in dogs can be due to guarding territory, resources, or a family member; fear; frustration; prey drive; or pain. In all of these situations, a dog may be pushed too far and can transition quickly from reactive, fearful, or guarding behaviors to being aggressive.
Straight off the bat you should be correcting your dog's growling and/or snapping with a firm “no” at the onset of the behavior. When he stops growling, reward him with a “good boy”, or in the beginning, a treat if it's handy at the exact moment of training so that he knows what he is being rewarded for.
So the shortened version is that if you're dedicated and focused, 3-8 weeks is a good timeline for transforming your dog's behavior. Finally, keep in mind that every interaction with your dog is “training.” They are always learning.
The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends sedation or anesthesia before euthanasia, but it is not required. You can always ask your local veterinarian about the best options for you and your pet.
Diazepam commonly is administered as a sedative, muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, or anti-anxiety medication for dogs and cats. Diazepam also can be used to treat behavioral problems, such as aggression, excessive grooming, territorial spraying, and terror caused by loud noises.
Fear aggression in dogs is a form of self-defense and may be expressed toward people, other animals or even objects. When a dog feels threatened, they may use body language or behaviors to drive the threat away, increasing the distance between themselves and the threat. A frightened dog may freeze, flee and/or fight.