Aggression & Reactivity

What is aggression?

Generally aggression is defined as any behaviours directed towards another (individual or group) that is threatening or harmful.

Aggression forms part of a dog’s normal behaviours, and usually occurs in response to a threat (whether real or perceived by the dog). It becomes problematic when the context and magnitude of the behaviours become more intense and threatening, or physical altercations occur. 

Living with a dog (or dogs) that are displaying aggressive behaviours or reacting in a way that appears aggressive or threatening can  be particularly challenging and distressing for both caregivers & the dogs themselves, but with the right approach and support, often significant improvements can be made.

Depending on your particular circumstances we may recommend you see your vet or veterinary behaviourist prior to an initial consult as pain and /or underlying medical reasons can impact on your dog’s behaviour.

Consults may be provided in-person, via phone or video call, subject to you & your dog’s particular circumstances (as safety for all is paramount when dealing with aggression related behaviours) and are tailored specifically to you and your dog(s).

Safe management forms a crucial part of the process & there are no ‘easy fixes’. Aggression cases require a high level of commitment form caregivers, along with time and patience as we can only work at the dog’s pace. 

As part of the consultation process, we will conduct a thorough assessment of your dog’s behaviour, including history & depending on the circumstances video evidence may be used prior to an in person consult as we DO NOT want to place your dog in a situation where they need to rehearse the problematic behaviours. 

The assessment forms the basis of a comprehensive behaviour report & tailored behaviour modification & management plan. 

During this time, we will work closely with you to implement the plan, providing guidance and support throughout the process focusing on improving your dog’s emotional state (how they feel) & observable behaviours.

Note that we do not use any aversive methods or tools.These merely suppress the visible behaviour, but do not address the underlying cause & often lead to other fall out behaviours that are worse than the original problem.