Dog fights are dangerous

Second in a series

We want our pets to have peaceful lives, getting along well with others in our home. Dog fights are deeply disturbing. Everybody wants these conflicts solved fast, simply, and reliably. Sadly, it’s never that easy. Every situation is different and complicated.

Aggression between family dogs, more often among females, is the most common problem treated in veterinary behavior practices. In an earlier life, prior to my residency, I surgically repaired some really heinous wounds. Most of these participants in canine domestic violence survived, a few, often involving big dogs assaulting smaller pets, did not. It’s hard thinking back to those tragedies.

Tensions can smolder for months or years. Coveted resources like food, toys, and proximity to a pet parent are common triggers. Many people try to quell the antagonism with equal rights. It may be important for children to get the same size cookie at the same time but egalitarianism can fan the flames of dogs who grind an ax.

The behavioral genetics wired into canine brains dictates who is higher ranking. That’s the big cheese who gets first dibs. The second fiddle is often stuck settling for what’s left over, which may be nothing. In the wild, these crafty pupsters sneak behind their canine boss’s backs to chow down or cozy up to the supreme leader. This was nearly impossible for Holly, stuck in a small house with Polly the tyrant.

Polly didn’t just claim her place next to their royal highnesses (the humans); to them she appeared drunk with power. In reality it was her anxiety that caused her to overreact. She didn’t just issue warnings; she struck terror in her minion’s heart. Holly began to fear for her life. Her defensive aggression intensified as the neural circuits in her brain, that supported her fear and defensive reactions, strengthened from repetition. When she suffered crushing bite wounds from her tormentor, the politics were forever changed. Holly, the lesser, was now motivated by self-preservation. She struck hard and fast with the first sight of Polly. She

Last week’s quiz: Dogs aren’t jealous about what somebody else has; they compete to survive. Whether mom or dad loves one dog best isn’t part of their politics. “Spoiling” pets doesn’t cause behavior disorders but it can confuse them. The correct answer is d). A deep dive into the details allows us to individualize treatment.

Next week: Who is responsible? The bully? The victim?

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For help with behavior problems, you can sign-up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist in Albuquerque. He provides consultations by Zoom group and individually/in-person. Sign up for his weekly blog or post questions (drjeffnichol.com) or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.