Canine Intrahousehold Interdog Aggression
Ellen Lindell, VMD, DACVB, Veterinary Behavior Consultations, Asheville, North Carolina
Betty, a 2-year-old, 55-lb (25-kg) crossbreed dog, is presented for aggression toward her housemate, Sam, a 2-year-old, 57-lb (26-kg) neutered male crossbreed hound. Betty was adopted at one year of age. Four months after adoption, Betty began lunging at Sam when he walks near her while she is at rest and when both dogs attempt to walk through a doorway together, often when leaving and re-entering the house. She also snaps at her owner during attempts to move her away from the window while barking.
Physical examination, CBC, serum chemistry profile, and total thyroxine results are within normal limits.
Betty is diagnosed with intrahousehold interdog aggression: social conflict-related, as well as redirected aggression toward her owner. Social conflict-related aggression typically includes frustration-related behaviors and anxiety; redirected behaviors can be frustration based.
Discussion
There is no FDA-approved medication for treatment of aggression in dogs. Informed consent should be obtained from the owner prior to administering medication for extra-label use.
Medication should be considered only one part of a behavioral treatment program. Management of environment and behavior modification are necessary for a positive outcome in most cases of intrahousehold interdog aggression. In this case, desensitization and counterconditioning can reduce Betty’s intrahousehold interdog aggression. Response substitution (eg, training Betty to move away on cue in response to an outside trigger) may prevent a physical confrontation with the owner and can be used to treat redirected aggression.
*Most medications in this article are extrapolated from human use unless otherwise specified.