Canine Intraspecies Aggression

Question 1

describe dyadic interactions (interactions between a pair of dogs at a dog park)

Answer 1

1. non-aggressive
2. 13% of interactions ended by owners
3. initiator usually ended interaction
4. approach- olfactory inspection

Question 2

what are some commonalities of intraspecies aggression? (3)

Answer 2

1. intact males mostly aggressive to other males
2. intact males show more aggression than neutered males
3. females aggressive mostly to other females
4. either directed at non-household members (fewer) or
   -at household members (more stressful and common)

Question 3

describe non-household aggression

Answer 3

1. predatory
2. territorial
3. protective
4. fear

related

Question 4

describe household aggression

Answer 4

1. same-sex pairs more common
   -female-female most common and most severe
2. females >males
   -females 2x more likely to initiate in opposite-sex altercations
3. most common trigger is resource guarding
   -larger dog, younger dog, shorter residence in household
4. intra-household more severe than between non-housemates

Question 5

what are 4 triggers of household aggression?

Answer 5

1. presence of owner
2. excitement: feeding, walking, owner arrival
3. control over preferred resources
4. physical proximity; confining areas

Question 6

is dominance an innate trait?

Answer 6

NO! it is a measure of interaction outcomes between two individuals in a social group

-assertiveness or confidence can be an innate personality trait, but have to measure to see if dominant

Question 7

describe avoidance as a behavior modification strategy

Answer 7

1. remove resources when dogs are together
2. feed separately
3. pick up empty food dishes when meal is over
4. keep dogs on leashes and/or muzzles
5. separate dogs when unsupervised
6. train with each dog separately initially

Question 8

what are the goals of desensitization and counter-conditioning?

Answer 8

relax in the presence of another dog, relax in presence of approaches from another dog to preferred resources

Question 9

describe treatment of status related problems (less commonly seen)

Answer 9

1. safety, basket muzzles
2. separate dogs when not supervised
3. introductions, desensitization with barrier
4. call dominant dog away if:
   -excessive dominance displays
   -aggressive displays do not cease when subordinate dog defers

will not be directed at humans!!

Question 10

what is the FIRST step with inter-cat aggression problems?

Answer 10

minimum database!! check if healthy first

Question 11

describe intraspecies cat aggression reasons

Answer 11

1. introduction of new cat:
   -cat societies are insular and strangers are not readily accepted
   -very common! must have a treatment plan strategy when introducing new cats!
   -allowing cats outdoors is associated with fighting
   -relatives and cats that are more familiar (littermates) are more likely to be preferred associates than non-relatives
2. status-related aggression (not common, similar to in dogs)
3. resource defense (less common in cats)
4. fear-induced
5. redirected aggression
6. play aggression

Question 12

describe introduction of new cats

Answer 12

1. separate by physical barriers so some introduction can happen when owner is not home
   -barrier should allow some contact (touch noses and sniff)
2. do NOT force interactions
3. allow cats to freely approach or leave barrier

Question 13

describe scent swapping of cats

Answer 13

1. towel or soft toy
2. rub perioral area of each cat
3. exchange bedding

great for introducing two new cats!

Question 14

describe active gradual introductions of two new cats

Answer 14

use human handlers:

1. one person responsible for each cat
2. take cats to distance necessary for relaxation and focus on treats and play
3. gradually move cats closer to each other

Question 15

describe fear aggression in cats

Answer 15

1. cat hisses and growl at other cats when they approach
2. show signs of fear:
   -ears back
   -crouching
   -forelimbs close to hindlimbs
3. if cats have historically gotten along well, usually initiated by classical conditioning (cat associates bad thing with friend and now hates friend)
   -redirected aggression

Question 16

describe treatment of fear aggression in cats

Answer 16

1. safe place: keep cats separate when not being supervised
2. anti-anxiety meds
3. desensitization
4. counter-conditioning

NEVER wrong to separate and gradually reintroduce

Question 17

how to differentiate interspecies play aggression as normal behavior?

Answer 17

1. is either cat being injured
2. does one cat end or attempt to end play bout when intensity of play escalates
3. does other cat allow termination of play that is escalating in intensity, or does it continue escalation from play to fighting

Question 18

describe play aggression treatment

Answer 18

1. keep separate when not supervised
2. allow play when supervised, but disrupt play when escalation begins
3. do not wait for escalation to reach point of actual fighting

Question 19

describe status related aggression in cats

Answer 19

1. cats with previous established relationship (not a new cat issue)
2. aggressor chases, growls, and attacks other cat or cats
3. shows dominance postures, but does not stop at simple posturing and control of space

Question 20

describe victims in cats aggression

Answer 20

1. may respond with similar behavior, resulting in significant fights
2. may respond with fear aggression
3. may respond with fear and hiding, resulting in subordinate cat not having access to essential resources
   -this may present as elimination behavior problem

Question 21

describe medication options for cats

Answer 21

1. aggressive/assertive cats:
   -zoloft, velnafaxine
2. fearful cats: buspar
3. anti-anxiety meds:
   -gabapentin
   -pregabalin