What is Aggression?
Aggression is a form of communication and not “bad behavior.” It occurs when an animal feels threatened or overwhelmed. Aggression expresses itself as a way for the animal to create distance from something they perceive as unsafe. It is not a form of dominance or stubbornness.
Common causes include:
- Fear and anxiety
- Frustration
- Lack of early socialization
- Past negative experiences or trauma
- Pain or underlying medical conditions
- Genetic predisposition
Without proper support, these behaviors can increase in frequency and intensity over time as the animal learns they are effective.
How to Approach Aggression Cases
1. Management & Safety
Safety is number one priority, together we will create a management plan to reduce the risk of aggressive outbursts and a safety plan to prevent injury.
2. Medical Rule Outs
As a Registered Veterinary Technician I have the education and skillset to determine whether your pet should be seen by a veterinarian. Based on the initial consultation a visit with your veterinarian may be recommended to diagnose and treat any underlying medical conditions that are contributing to your pets aggression.
3. Enrichment Program
Many behavioural concerns are exacerbated when an animal is under-stimulated, frustrated, or unable to express natural behaviors. By incorporating structured enrichment plans, we:
- Support faster and more sustainable behavior change.
- Reduce frustration and excess energy that can contribute to undesirable behaviors.
- Promote natural, species-appropriate behaviors (e.g., foraging, problem-solving, exploration).
- Improve resiliency to stress.
4. Behaviour Modification
By utilizing evidence-based, humane behaviour modification techniques we will teach your pet core skills to navigate their challenges. My goal is to keep the exercises simple to increase the success of both human and animal.
Around the Flock - Companion Animal Training 