What's The Best CBD for Dog Aggression?

Is your dog aggressive with other dogs and people, or around certain triggers such as food, toys, and places? This article will help you learn more about aggression in dogs. We’ll explore causes, training tips, and whether using CBD for dog aggression can help.

• Note that if your dog doesn't allow you to get near their mouth, chews or treats could be a safer option for you. 
• Lolahemp has a selection of the best CBD treats for aggressive dogs.

Can You Use CBD Oil for Dog Aggression?

Many veterinarians, professional dog trainers, and pet owners alike have discovered that CBD can promote calm in dogs. While dog aggression remains a complex problem, the calming effect of CBD oil may be part of a successful and well-designed training program to address aggression in dogs. 

To learn more, read about one special rescue dog named Archie Barker, who had aggression problems after being neglected and abandoned. Many shelter dogs could tell a similar tale (or tail, depending on who you ask). 

If you decide to give CBD a try, consider Lolahemp for your dog.

Our organic CBD products are made from full-spectrum hemp oil made just with dogs in mind. They’re safe for your pup’s endocannabinoid system and the effectiveness of CBD in dogs is well-known among pet owners.

What's The Best CBD for Dog Aggression?

A CBD oil formula for dogs infused with other natural calming agents such as l-theanine and chamomile may be the best option for your pet. 

it’s important to note that dog aggression can be dangerous. You may need the help of a professional if the aggression is out of control. Many owners make aggression worse by misdiagnosing the root cause or using “common sense” training techniques that can make aggressive dogs more dangerous.

This article isn’t a substitute for professional guidance. However, we do hope that it will provide you with a better understanding of this behavioral problem as well as some of the best tools to use as you help your canine companion find a calmer way of engaging with the world.

Note that CBD oil may function differently and require a different approach for aggressive cats. If your cat is facing similar behavioral issues, discuss using CBD oil with a professional.

Types of Aggression in Dogs 

According to the ASPCA, there are 11 common types of dog aggression. These are pictured in the image below. Helping your dog overcome aggression always starts by developing a clear picture of the problem and its causes.

The outdated “dominance” model of canine psychology assumes that most aggression problems are caused by excessive dominance or lack of submission. We now know, however, that dogs have complex social and emotional lives. Aggression is often triggered by fear, insecurity, and anxiety.

Take a look at the 11 types of dog aggression above and notice that almost all of them (with the exceptions of pain-induced and predatory) involve anxiety and aggression about a certain trigger.

1. Fear

Fear aggression occurs when a dog reacts aggressively due to anxiety or fear of a specific situation or person, such as encountering a loud noise. CBD may help reduce anxiety levels in fearful dogs, potentially leading to calmer behavior in stressful situations.

2. Redirected

Redirected aggression happens when a dog is frustrated by a trigger but instead directs that aggression toward another dog or person nearby. CBD may assist in calming the dog, allowing for better control of their reactions to frustrating situations.

3. Territorial

Territorial aggression arises when a dog perceives a threat to their home or space, often leading to aggressive barking or lunging at intruders. CBD could help create a more relaxed environment, potentially reducing the impulse to react aggressively to perceived threats.

4. Defensive

Defensive aggression is a reaction to a perceived threat, where a dog feels the need to protect itself from harm. By potentially alleviating anxiety, CBD may help dogs feel more secure and less likely to react defensively.

5. Pain Induced

Pain-induced aggression occurs when a dog feels threatened or in pain, often leading to aggressive behaviors. CBD may provide some relief from discomfort, which could help reduce aggressive responses associated with pain.

6. Protective

Protective aggression is displayed when a dog feels the need to defend their owner or family. CBD may help create a sense of calm in protective dogs, allowing for more measured responses to perceived threats.

7. Social

Social aggression can manifest when dogs are unsure of how to interact with other dogs or people, leading to aggressive behaviors. By potentially reducing anxiety, CBD might facilitate more positive social interactions.

8. Dynamic/Relational

Dynamic or relational aggression arises from conflicts within a household, often between resident dogs. CBD could promote a more relaxed atmosphere, which may help ease tensions between dogs.

9. Possessive

Possessive aggression occurs when a dog feels the need to guard their food, toys, or space from others. CBD may help mitigate anxiety related to resource guarding, fostering a calmer demeanor around possessions.

10. Frustration

Frustration aggression can happen when a dog is prevented from reaching a goal, such as getting to a toy or another dog. CBD may help reduce overall frustration levels, allowing for better self-control.

11. Predatory

Predatory aggression is driven by a dog's instinct to chase and capture prey, which can include smaller animals. CBD might assist in moderating impulsive behaviors, potentially leading to calmer reactions in situations that trigger predatory instincts.

How CBD Overall Could Support These

CBD may provide overall support for dogs exhibiting various forms of aggression by promoting a sense of calm and reducing anxiety. While it is not a cure, its potential to help manage stress and anxiety may contribute to more balanced behavior in aggressive dogs.

Recognizing the exact cause of your dog’s anxiety is usually the first step of a behavioral training program. Once that trigger gets identified, you can “reprogram” the anxiety response using positive reinforcement, reconditioning, and desensitization techniques developed from decades of research in animal behavior. 

4 Behavior Modification Tips for Dog Aggression

1. Never Punish the Signs of Dogs' Aggression

The outdated “dominance” model suggests that all dog aggression is caused by dogs who think they are “alphas” and insist on dominating everything and everyone around them.

Unfortunately, these models of dog behavior are not only incorrect, they often do more harm than good. Trainers that use this theory often recommend “dominating” or punishing such dogs at the first signs of aggression ( e.g. raised hackles, growling, hard stance, baring teeth, licking lips, etc.)

The problem with this is that all it does is make an already insecure dog feel even more insecure by adding a real threat of harm. In addition, it trains them to stop giving warning signals when they’re feeling anxious and/or threatened. Such dogs become more dangerous because they will stop giving any warning of their fear. 

Instead, they launch right into an attack when their fear becomes too much for them to handle. 

2. Humane Use of Muzzles for Aggressive Dogs

While they look barbaric, muzzles can be an important safety precaution when dealing with dogs that have aggression issues. Make sure that you purchase basket-style muzzles rather than the cloth kind because they allow for better breathing.

In addition, take time to acclimate your dog to wearing a muzzle in calm and familiar environments where fear triggers are not present, using lots of positive reinforcement.

Never muzzle one dog and not the other if dog-dog aggression is a problem. It can make the fearful dog feel even more insecure and expose him to serious harm should a fight break out.

3. Desensitizating and Reconditioning Aggressive Behaviors

A technique known as desensitization is at the heart of most dog aggression training programs. It’s a program that involves exposing the fearful dog to a trigger that is far away. So far that they are under the “reaction threshold.”  Then, offer a dog treat all calm responses with praise and food rewards. 

Slowly, keeping the dog under the reaction threshold, get closer and closer to the trigger while continuing to reward calm behavior. This is the “reconditioning” part of the training program. Over time, the trigger that was once associated with a threat becomes associated with a reward.

A dog that was once fearful of a trigger can learn to love it in good time with plenty of repetition and practice.

A well-meaning dog owner can go wrong with this technique by moving too fast. If a fear reaction happens, it can undo the progress made. It is better to stay well within your dog’s sense of safety for much longer than you think you need to than to go too fast and ruin the progress you have made.

4. Know When to Contact a Professional about Your Dog's Aggression

Keep in mind that aggression in dogs can become a dangerous problem. 

If you have a large and powerful dog or suspect that your dog may pose a danger to other people or pets, it is advisable to seek professional help. 

References:

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/aggression

https://lolahemp.com/blogs/news/behavioral-problems-in-rescue-dogs-how-to-solve-these-3-common-problems

https://lolahemp.com/blogs/success-stories/archie-barker-a-rescued-dog-with-a-troubled-past

https://lolahemp.com/products/lolahemp-cbd-300mg-30ml-tincture