Aggressive Behavior in a Senior Dog

Aggression is a normal part of the makeup of a dog, just as it is innate to humans. But, as Bruce Fogle says in his book "New Dog: Choosing Wisely and Ensuring a Happily Ever After," the well-trained dog's aggression is controlled through training and learning. So the obvious question to ask when a senior dog becomes aggressive is whether this behavior is new. If the dog has always had aggressive tendencies, the owner would need to question whether there has been any deterioration in recent behavior.

  1. Signs of Aggression

    • Signs of aggression may be obvious.

      It is usually possible to see signs of escalating aggression in a dog. The first signs may be that the dog becomes still and his hackles rise. The dog may them snarl, growl and finally bite. Aggressive dogs may fight with other dogs, or may show a predatory attitude toward other animals. Some dogs, by breeding, are naturally more aggressive.

    Fighting With Other Dogs

    • Two dog of the same sex in the household will sometimes become aggressive toward each other. It is more common for female pairs to fight. The younger of the pair is more likely to start the fight. Care must always be taken when introducing a new dog, when another is already established, because this is likely to unsettle the senior dog. The new dog should not be allowed to invade the senior dog's space, and they should be fed separately, tail to tail, so they cannot see each other.

    Response

    • The older dog may use aggression as a reaction to something in the environment that he does not like. This might be a child disturbing or trying to pick him up, or removing his toys. This is not so much dominant behavior, as a response to what the dog sees as a threat. Nevertheless it must be stopped, because the owner will not want this behavior to escalate.

    Health

    • If a dog becomes aggressive "out of the blue," the owner should always have the veterinarian check the dog's health. The dog may be in pain, or even have a more serious problem that may be causing the aggression. Very old dogs can develop a type of senility a bit like dementia in humans. Even changes to the dog's diet may cause discomfort and reactions that may manifest themselves in aggression.

    Prevention/Solution

    • The owner of the senior dog that becomes aggressive should eliminate any obvious causes initially. If the dog is not found to have any health issues, and a new dog or person is not threatening the dog, the owner should next seek to prevent escalation of the aggression. The best first step is to seek expert advice and help from a reputable dog trainer, or local dog behavior class.