Are They Safe? Risk Assessment of Dogs With a History of Aggressive Behavior

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC (IAABC) is the owner and lead clinician at the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, OR. He received his veterinary degree from the University of MN in 2002 and became board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in 2010. He has operated house-call, office-based, and telemedicine-focused behavior practices. Dr. Pachel lectures worldwide, teaches courses at multiple veterinary schools and has authored articles and book chapters on topics such as Intercat aggression, Behavioral Euthanasia, and Pet selection for animal-assisted therapy. He is a sought-after expert witness for legal animal behavior cases and serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for dvm360. Dr. Pachel is a Vice President of Veterinary Behavior for Instinct Dog Behavior and Training and co-owner of Instinct Portland. Dr. Pachel hosts Doc Talks, a monthly online webinar series that explores veterinary behavior cases in depth with veterinarians, behavior consultants and trainers, and animal caregivers. He is also a co-founder of LIMA beings, an online community of people who seek to apply the power of communication and learning principles to our interactions with others, shaping human behavior in compassionate and effective ways.

Overview:

Veterinarians and behavior professionals are frequently faced with questions about aggressive behaviors, including biting, scratching, lunging, or threatening postures. As with other behavioral questions, it is rare for there to be a single “right” answer to a question or a “one size fits all” solution to the problem that is occurring. This presentation will discuss risk factors that affect the likelihood of achieving a safe and successful outcome for these patients.

Learning Objectives:

Define and differentiate various forms and expressions of canine aggression, including body postures, facial expressions, vocalizations, and bite types.
Identify and assess key pet-specific factors—such as age, size, breed, and bite history—that influence the evaluation and management of dogs with aggressive behavior.
Analyze the role of context in aggression cases by applying historical information, antecedent conditions, and stimulus predictability to risk assessment.
Evaluate household and environmental factors that affect the safety and feasibility of management plans, including caregiver skill, motivation, and consistency.
Apply effective communication strategies to guide clients in decision-making, set realistic expectations, and navigate ethical considerations, liability, and the concept of an “acceptable level of risk.”

This course is RACE-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits hours in jurisdictions that accept RACE-approval.