title: Interdog household aggression: 38 cases (2006-2007).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze factors associated with interdog household aggression and determine treatment outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series and survey. Animals-38 pairs of dogs with interdog household aggression. Each pair of dogs was considered 1 case.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records of dogs with interdog household aggression that were examined during initial or follow-up consultations at a veterinary teaching hospital from December 5, 2006, to December 5, 2007, were analyzed for clinical features. Data regarding outcome, owner compliance, and efficacy of recommended treatments obtained by use of a follow-up survey were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most cases (30/38 [79%]) of interdog household aggression involved same-sex pairs; 26 of 38 (68%) cases involved 1 female or a pair of females. Instigators and recipients of aggression were clearly identified in 27 of 38 (71%) cases; most instigators were the younger of the pair (20/27 [74%]) or were newer additions to the household (19/27 [70%]). Fight-eliciting triggers included owner attention, food, excitement, and found items. Some dogs had risk factors for behavior problems such as a history of living in multiple households (21/51 [41%]), adoption after 12 weeks of age (20/51 [39%]), or being acquired from a shelter (17/51 [33%]). Effective treatment recommendations included implementing a so-called nothing-in-life-is-free program, giving 1 dog priority access to resources, and administering psychotropic medication. Frequency and severity of fighting were significantly reduced after consultation. Owners reported a 69% overall improvement following treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most treatment strategies were considered effective. Consistency and predictability of social interactions are essential in resolving interdog household aggression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01581, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Wrubel
authors.forename: Alice A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Moon-Fanelli
authors.forename: Louise S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Maranda
authors.forename: Nicholas H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Dodman
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D008297:Male