Comparison of thyroid analytes in dogs aggressive to familiar people and in non-aggressive dogs.

A cross-sectional study was performed in order to examine the association between canine aggression to familiar people and serum concentrations of total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroxine autoantibodies (T4AA), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine (fT3), triiodothyronine autoantibodies (T3AA), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroglobulin autoantibodies (TgAA). The subjects were 31 dogs historically aggressive to familiar people and 31 dogs with no history of aggression. Behavioral evaluation and physical examination were completed for each dog in addition to a complete blood count, serum chemistry panel, TT4, fT4 by equilibrium dialysis, TT3, fT3, TgAA, T3AA, and T4AA.

Behavioural characteristics associated with dog bites to children presenting to an urban trauma centre.

Children are the most frequent victims of dog bites presenting to hospital emergency departments (ED), but there are gaps in understanding of the circumstances of such bites. The objective of this study was to characterise the behavioural circumstances of dog bites by interviewing children ≤17 years (or parent proxies for children ≤6 years) presenting with dog bite injuries to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia about the bite incident, its setting and associated interactions. Of 203 children enrolled, 51% were <7 years old and 55% were male.

Retrospective evaluation of the effects of diazepam in dogs with anxiety-related behavior problems.

Objective: To characterize the effects of diazepam in dogs with behavior problems and to determine whether adverse effects were of sufficient concern to owners to prompt drug discontinuation.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Sample Population: 37 dogs and their owners.

Effects of gender and parental status on knowledge and attitudes of dog owners regarding dog aggression toward children.

Objective: To assess the effects of gender and parental status of dog owners on knowledge of and attitudes toward factors associated with dog aggression directed toward children.

Design: Prevalence survey.

Population: 804 dog owners.

Association of pruritus with anxiety or aggression in dogs.

Objective: To evaluate the association between pruritus and anxiety-related and aggressive behaviors in dogs.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Animals: 238 dogs between 1 and 8 years old.

Canine aggression toward familiar people: a new look at an old problem.

Dogs that are aggressive toward their owners have long been regarded as being dominant. This article presents scientific evidence that does not support this claim. Based on this evidence, the authors present an alternative explanation for canine aggression toward owners and outline a treatment plan.

Behavioral assessment of child-directed canine aggression.

Objective: To characterize behavioral circumstances of bites to children by dogs presented to a veterinary behavior clinic.

Methods: Retrospective case series examining medical records of dogs presenting by referral to a university veterinary hospital for aggression and which had bitten a child <18 years old. Behavioral data included age of victim, familiarity with dog, and circumstances of bites.

Effects of preadoption counseling for owners on house-training success among dogs acquired from shelters.

Objective: To determine the effect of preadoption counseling for owners on house-training success among dogs acquired from shelters.

Design: Prospective study.

Sample Population: 113 dog owners.

Effects of reconcile (fluoxetine) chewable tablets plus behavior management for canine separation anxiety.

Canine separation anxiety is a common behavioral problem presented to veterinarians. Associated behaviors are distressing to both dog and owner, have the potential to disrupt the human-companion animal bond, and may lead to euthanasia. The results of this study demonstrate the clinical efficacy and safety of Reconcile (fluoxetine, 1 to 2 mg/kg/day [0.

National survey of owner-directed aggression in English Springer Spaniels.

Objective: To determine prevalence of owner-directed aggression and identify associated environmental and genetic factors in English Springer Spaniels.

Design: Prevalence survey.

Animals: 1,053 adult English Springer Spaniels.

Differential diagnosis and management of human-directed aggression in dogs.

Canine aggression directed to human beings is a common presenting complaint and requires attention to safety issues and behavior modification to minimize the risks of future aggression. Dogs may bite familiar people, including family members, or unfamiliar people for a variety of reasons. Anxiety plays an important role in aggression regardless of its target or circumstances.