PAIN-INDUCED AGGRESSION

We are all aware of pain-induced aggression even in the most sociable and docile animals.  Any handling that generates pain or discomfort can lead to this type of aggression. A similar problem is irritable aggression. This refers to any medical condition that might not cause pain BUT does increase irritability and therefore aggression(or retreat) For both pain-induced and irritable aggression, handling or the anticipation of being handled (approach, reaching, stroking, picking up) might lead to an aggressive response.  Over time, this can become a learnt behaviour, a reflexive response to certain situations and contexts.

The presence of pain may lower the dogs threshold for the manifestation of other types of behaviour for example fear or status related aggression.

The use of physical punishment can also lead to pain and discomfort and any resulting aggression could be pain-induced, fear or defensive aggression – or a combination of all three.

The best way to prevent pain-induced aggression is to anticipate it and when handling the dog do so in such a way as to minimize the pain.

Medical conditions that produce pain for the dog can be treated using drug therapy, however, the learned component of the dogs behaviour e.g. the aggressive response may need to be treated with a remedial behaviour programme.

Please contact the contact a Clinical Animal Behaviourist at WellBehave to discuss pain-induced aggression