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Should an aggressive dog have his teeth removed?
Recently, in my reading, I came across this article: Just Ask the Expert: Is Tooth Extraction an Acceptable Treatment for Aggression?. Unfortunately, this is also a question I am sometimes asked by dog owners in the course of my own veterinary practice.
Can Canine Aggression be Managed by Removing the Teeth?
In most cases, I do not believe that extraction of healthy teeth is the answer to treating cases of aggression in dogs. Aggressive dogs are often aggressive for a reason. Most often, they are fearful and reacting to that fear. Whatever the cause, removal of the teeth does not address the underlying cause of the dog’s aggression.
An Aggressive Dog with Extracted Teeth can Still be Dangerous!
Another problem with the dental extraction approach to treating canine aggression, in my opinion, is that a dog without teeth can still be aggressive and they can still be dangerous. Especially dangerous are those dogs that have only had their canine teeth (“eye teeth”) removed and still have most or all of their other teeth. These dogs can still inflict a serious bite wound. Likewise, aggressive dogs that have had only the crowns of their teeth (the part above the gumline) removed can still inflict a dangerous bite as well. In my experience, even a dog that has had all of their teeth removed can still cause injury, sometimes serious injury.
What are the Alternatives to Tooth Removal for Aggressive Dogs?
Behavioral modification, undertaken with the help of an experienced and knowledgeable veterinary behavioral expert, is the preferred method of dealing with an aggressive dog. The first step in dealing with canine aggression is to determine the cause of the aggression. In most cases, professional help is necessary to accurately diagnose the cause or causes of the aggression and find appropriate solutions to the problem. In almost all cases, confrontational training techniques are contraindicated and are likely to increase the dog’s aggression. Positive training techniques, counter-conditioning and desensitization are more appropriate methods of rehabilitating an aggressive dog. Behavioral modification drugs may be necessary in the initial stages of the rehabilitation, although these can also create a false sense of security for dog owners and are considered controversial in cases of canine aggression by some veterinarians.
Should Tooth Extraction be Considered as a Last Resort in Canine Aggression?
If all other avenues have been exhausted and found to be unsuccessful, tooth extraction may be considered as a last resort. However, consideration should be given to the extraction itself. Removing a healthy tooth from the mouth of a dog is a traumatic and invasive procedure. Here we are not talking about removing one tooth but many. In essence, a full mouth extraction would be necessary (or at least advisable) in this situation. This is a decision that should not be taken lightly. If electing to proceed with the extraction, owners of aggressive dogs need to understand that the tooth extraction will not diminish the aggression. Precautions will still be necessary when handling the dog even after the extraction.
About Lorie Huston, DVM
Lorie Huston is a veterinarian, pet health and pet care expert, professional writer, blogger, social media and blogging consultant, and SEO strategist.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Dog training is exciting and may be very tough at times, but with a lil patience and lotsa best friend love, your best friend will be healthy and extremely happy. These are helpful tips posted by the author that all dog lovers should review , thank you.
Thank you for your comments.
Yes, dog training can be very difficult. But you’re right. Using the right techniques and being patient, persistent and kind should get you where you want to be. And you’ll end up with a bond with your dog that can’t be replaced or duplicated through other means
Oh wow. So if you get a cold, how about cutting off your nose? Hm …
It does seem rather drastic, doesn’t it, Jana? You’d be surprised how often people ask me this in my practice though. It always surprises me that someone would actually consider taking all their dogs teeth out because of aggression but many of these people are serious when we discuss this and they’re also often desperate. They’re not necessarily bad people. In many cases, they just need help figuring out the proper training methods for their dog. And it’s worth saying that the proper training methods for these dogs must be chosen carefully to avoid creating further aggression. Aversive or confrontational training methods can be dangerous for these dogs and for their owners.
I found this site because I’m considering having my dogs foremost front teeth removed.
It was a thought that just recently occurred to me. I rescue dogs, have 3 of them. It’s very safe to say that all of them would be put down without me. I’m like that last chance that every dog getting put down wishes it had. Two of them were abused and the other was used for fighting.
Cody was the first a lab/shepard mix. Very aggressive to strangers. Played really rough and sometimes just bit you in a playful nature. He had literally no training and his owner would abuse him because he didn’t know how to train him I guess. He was found in a trailer abandoned, starved, and just plain filthy. Animal rescue was going to put him down. I was just at the pound in general looking for a dog. Cody looked like he needed my help. Against every-ones advice Cody became the project dog I took home. No need to get into more detail about training but after the really long road that we went down. Cody is the best dog I could have ever asked for. I’ve had him 6 yrs now and although he still barks at strangers he is no longer aggressive and very lovable and friendly. Anyone who meets him loves him. I even taught him to bark to let me know what he needs. Cody was where it all began.
Now we have Titto. He’s believed to be a pitbul/chiwahwah mix. Basically he’s a 35lb chiwahwah. I’ve come to believe he is actually crazy or mad. The dog is very aggressive to strangers. If he gets loose he will chase a jogger down just to bite them. I live in a house in the woods with a really large fenced in yard so I don’t worry about this much. I had to put up a special made fence just to keep him in the yard. The dog can clear over 5ft even without a running start. It’s a 6ft high fence with an additional foot in the ground so he can’t dig out. Titto will jump into my arms when I come in the door and I’m 6’3. I love this dog and so does my family. The problem is he is very moody and will sometimes bite if you reach for him or randomly stand family members off upon entering a room. You could be watching TV and he may come stand in front of you growl, raise his hair, and show his teeth. Me and my family find ourselves sometimes having to trick the dog to do what we need him to do. Most of times he’s overly affectionate and playful though. My youngest sister will hold him in her arms like a baby. His aggression has gotten worse over the years though. Just recently I woke up in the middle of the night with his bearing, growling teeth standing over my face in bed. All his hair was up and he was shaking. This went on for about 5 mins until I calmed him down unable to really move out of fear. I would estimate this dog to be a 90% family lovable pet and about 10% aggressive throughout a given year. He probably bites someone 3 times a year. As a family we look past it, his teeth are kinda small anyway and we don’t feel it’s his fault he’s like that. No form of training has worked. Every time we finally decide to put him down we never go through with it. We just love him too much. He is only 7yrs old and still has a lot of life left in him.
I’m considering removing his front row of teeth for the safety of my family. Any thoughts?
Oh btw the 3rd dog is a 6yr old rottweiler/shepard mix that I rescued 2 years ago. She was used for dog fighting. Now is one of the most lovable family pets you could ask for. Very well behaved and not an aggressive bone in her body. She plays, sits, lays down, gives paw, comes when called, and is great with children and strangers. So I do know how to train dogs.
Leland, I’m not terribly sure that removing this dog’s teeth will provide you with the safety you are looking for. At any rate, it should be an absolute last resort, if considered at all. (It’s not something I would recommend.) If you have not already, I would advise consulting either a veterinarian that specializes in behavioral medicine or a trainer experienced in dealing with this type of aggression. I would not recommend using confrontational training methods with Cody. That could put you and your family at risk even moreso than you already are.
I have 2 male boxers that are 3 yrs old and 10 yrs old.
Just last year they started to fight. I have had to take the older one to the Vet twice now and its getting worse.
I have netured the 3 yr old thinking that he was the aggressive dog.
It didn’t help at all.
My vet has advised taking the Canine teeth out. He said he has done this several times for different clients. He said they will fight but they can’t tear the skin any more. He says after they see that they are not doing any damage – they stop fighting.
I am considering this or getting rid of the younger male.
The surgery for the teeth removable is expensive. If I do one I am doing both.
I’m so sorry to hear about the aggression problem with your dogs, Regina. That can certainly be a difficult problem to deal with. Are both dogs neutered? Or just the 3 year old? If only the one, I would probably advise neutering both. Either way, good luck. And keep in touch and let us know how you make out!!
I have 5 dogs. 3 of them are westies. All are females. The youngest at 3 years old took trifexis and then had seizures. The middle at 8 years of age would violently attack her trying to kill her by biting her back and neck until the seizure stops. It was horrible. So the younger was on meds, then off after no seizures for 3 months. Last night it happened again. It can happen in a flash and we are afraid the older dog is going to kill her. When we leave we separate them, but when at home it could happen again in a second when I am not in the room. What can be done? Should we remove canines from the older dog? Open to suggestions. All the other dogs have no interest in the behavior when it happens. The other 2 dogs are Jacks.
Lindsay, I’m sorry to hear about your problems with aggression. I wish I had an easy answer to give you. Unfortunately, I’m not sure an easy solution for this problem exists. I’m not sure that removing the teeth is going to solve your problem either. The only solution I can see is constant supervision and separating the two dogs when supervision is not possible, at least for now. You might consider contacting a veterinary behavioral expert for a consultation. Perhaps a specialist can help you find a successful solution.
I also thought pulling a dog’s teeth was cruel after reading many blogs on the subject. I spent thousands on several Vet recommended private trainers which only helped marginally. However, now a child is scarred and my dog is dead. My 25 lb., 9 y.o. mixed breed attacked a neighbor’s child in my yard. The 7 y.o. child climbed my 5ft. privacy fence and came into my locked yard. I was only standing 15 ft. away when the child dropped into my yard. It all happened so quickly and without warning. Within seconds I was there to pull the dog off the child, however, the split second bite got the child on the back of the neck. The child was hospitalized at length and recovered medically, but it could take years (if at all) to recover emotionally. I quarantined the dog for 10 days (by law) and then brought him to be euthanized. I will live with guilt for what the child endured. I should have gone with my instincts to be proactive and have the dog’s teeth pulled and not listened to my Vet or all the internet blogs. I was also sued despite the fact that the child climbed the locked fence and came into my yard. I willingly settled the lawsuit because I feel very responsible. I’m grateful that I was there in the yard to immediately pull the dog off of the child. Without teeth, the dog would still have attacked the child, however, I was there so quickly that the medical damage would have been minimal and the child would have been spared the painful bite that could have been fatal. Funny thing is that I recently adopted a senior greyhound who has lost all of her teeth to gum disease. She amazingly eats her food just fine and can even eat dog biscuits. She’s a very happy, toothless dog. Just be responsible and do what YOU believe is best for your situation.
I know that this sounds mean but I am currently dealing with a dog that has bitten people and I am going through all my options so that I don’t have to put my dog down. He is a HUGE part of my family, my life, and I have unconditional love for him. The thought of not having him next to me every morning breaks my heart! I am hoping to solve his problems with training but if that does not work then should I kill him or have him go through a surgery and some pain BUT then have a happy long life?
It’s a hard choice either way…….and I guess you never know what you will do until you are backed into a corner to make a choice.