Common Disease Name:
Dominance
Medical Term for Disease:
Dominance Aggression
Species Affected by Disease:
Age Animal Usually Affected:
Dominance aggression develops around the time a dog reaches social maturity, which is about two years of age
Commonly Affected Breeds:
English Springer Spaniels, Lhaso Apsos, Cocker Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, and Toy Poodle and Terrier breeds have been reported to have a higher incidence of this type of aggression, but it can occur in any breed of dog. It is possible that dominance aggression is to some degree inherited, and dogs with dominance aggression should not be used for breeding.
Sex Usually Affected:
The highest incidence of dominance aggression occurs in un-neutered males, followed, in decreasing order of frequency, by castrated males, spayed females and unsprayed females.
Disease Symptoms:
This is the most frequently reported type of aggression in family pets. Growling, snapping, snarling, lunging, or biting owners or other familiar people. The dog typically will have a dominant body posture. Owners frequently report that their dog becomes aggressive without being provoked. The owner is usually unaware that they have unintentionally challenged or competed with the dog. The 'trigger' for the aggression can be something as subtle as looking at the dog or petting it. Dogs are pack animals who naturally understand 'pecking order' of who is in charge. This can become a problem if the dog decides he is head of the pecking order over his master.
Methods of Diagnosis:
A thorough behavioral and environmental history is needed. Then, a complete medical history, physical examination and baseline laboratory work, including testing of the thyroid hormone levels, is recommended to rule out medical causes of aggression.
Disease Causes:
The closest wild relatives of domestic dogs are wolves who live in social groups called packs. Dominance aggression has its roots in the social organization of wolves, as within the pack, there is a social hierarchy. Each individual wolf knows its rank in relation to every other wolf in the pack. The dominant individuals have a priority to food, water, and resting places.
Treatment:
Because of the dangerous and complex nature of dominance aggression and the variations between each case, specific treatment of individual cases requires the guidance of a veterinarian with knowledge and experience in the management of canine aggression. Human safety being the first concern. Punishment does not work here. A strict program of behavior management must be followed, including rewarding the dog for submissive behavior. An important option to consider is neutering. Castration has approximately a 50 percent probability of reducing aggression in intact male dogs. Conversely, there is evidence that spaying intact female dogs that are exhibiting signs of dominance aggression will increase the aggression. Although obedience training alone will not treat dominance aggression, trainers can help develop behavioral "tools" that can be used in conjunction with specific behavior modification programs. A behavioral specialist may recommend a change in the way the family interacts with the dog to change the dog's perception of its status within the household. Lavish attention and coddling should be permanently withdrawn. In fact, temporarily withdrawing all attention from the dog except for the necessities of life will help "set the stage" for behavior modification. Changes in the dog's feeding routine, exercise schedule, and sleeping or resting sites may have to be made as well
Prognosis:
Dominance aggression is rarely, if ever, completely eliminated. Optimal improvement is achieved when a veterinarian who is knowledgeable and experienced in behavioral problems develops an individualized management program. In many cases, the severity of aggressive behavior can be reduced. However, euthanasia may be considered if the animal's problems do not improve and there is a great human safety risk.
Complications:
Injury to humans; legal liability
Prevention:
From the very beginning of the
relationship, the owner must let the dog know that the owner is in charge. This
would include not giving in to the dog's requests for
food from the table, or getting on the bed, or whatever behavior the
owner seeks to discourage. Well-informed selection of a dog may help reduce the
likelihood of obtaining an animal that will exhibit dominance aggression.
Reliable information should be sought about the breed that is being considered.
If possible, information should be obtained on the temperament of both parents
and of their previous offspring. Obedience training is recommended because it
will help establish a basis of communication between the owner and the dog.
Life-long use of a 
non-confrontational behavior modification program
such as "Nothing in Life is Free" can help define the dog's role in the family
by requiring the animal to defer to the family members. Mild or subtle signs of
aggression should be addressed as soon as they develop. Unfortunately, some dogs
will exhibit dominance aggression despite taking these precautions.
Medicines Used for Treatment of Disease:
Drugs that increase the availability of a neurotransmitter called serotonin, as well as other medications that facilitate impulse control, may be recommended for severe cases.
Helpful Products:
Training books for puppies to prevent setting up the situation. Establish puppys' own toys, bed and feeding bowel. Crate training is often useful in a puppy.
