Dog Anxiety & Aggression: How a Veterinary Behaviorist and Medication Helped Eddie as a Senior Rescue

I adopted Eddie when he was six years old. I was his third owner.

Eddie had originally been surrendered to Long Beach Animal Services after biting a child. According to the bite report, the child had been repeatedly warned by their mother to leave the dog alone but didn’t listen until Eddie had enough. After spending time at the shelter, Eddie was adopted briefly, but the adopter returned him out of fear he might bite again.

When the shelter called me, they were upfront about his bite history. I asked one question: Was it a kid? I don’t have kids, and I felt confident I could manage an adult dog with boundaries.

Meeting Eddie

When I met Eddie, he was incredibly calm. He wasn’t jumpy or overly excited. I remember spotting him across the yard in his kennel — just standing there, ears up, panting quietly on a hot day. The volunteer brought him into the play area, and Eddie immediately gravitated toward me.

His love language was proximity, not touch. He wanted to be near me but would duck if I tried to pet his head. He followed me everywhere, happily accepted treats, and walked calmly beside me on the shelter leash. On the drive home, despite having the entire passenger seat set up with a blanket, toys, and treats, he insisted on climbing into my lap and slept soundly under the steering wheel. Somehow, he made it work — and I think he finally felt safe.

Settling In

I wish I had taken a photo of Eddie walking into my apartment for the first time. I had laid out a bed and toys, and he looked back at me in the doorway as if to say, “I live here now?”

I took everything slowly. Even though he smelled like the shelter, I didn’t want to overwhelm him with a bath. He curled up on a blanket and slept deeply. That first night, I slept on the couch so I could keep an eye on him in his bed.

Eddie came with a lot of good habits. He was fully house-trained, didn’t beg for food, didn’t jump on furniture, and politely waited by the door when he needed to go outside. He wasn’t well-socialized, though. On walks, he ignored other dogs completely. When I introduced him to my friend Carolyn’s dog, Lupin, Lupin helped teach Eddie how to greet other dogs appropriately.

Eddie also didn’t seem to know how to play with toys at first. I’d throw one, and he’d run after it — but leave it behind. Eventually, he learned to pick it up and bring it back.

Early Warning Signs

There were subtle red flags early on. Eddie didn’t like kissy noises. A few times when I put my face close to his, he nipped my nose or lip. I made note of it and adjusted my behavior.

Bath time was initially a struggle. He tried to escape the tub. I took him to PetSmart the next time so they could do his nails . After that, he tolerated baths at home — for a while.

When Things Changed

On New Year’s Eve, fireworks terrified Eddie, so I let him sleep in my bed for comfort, and then he slept with me every night. One night, I got up briefly and came back to find he had taken over my spot. I sat down and gently pet him — and he bit me hard. After that, he was no longer allowed to sleep in my bed.

Not long after, I took him to a big-box grooming store. Something felt off. The groomer was impatient and irritated. Eddie had started to love baths — shampooing, rinsing, even the blow dryer. But after that appointment, everything changed.

He became aggressive during baths and tried to bite. Rubber gloves didn’t help. Eventually, I had to use thick grooming gloves designed for handling wild animals.

Escalating Aggression

More and more things began to set Eddie off. Feet were a big trigger — especially stomping, even playfully. One day after coming in from the rain, I accidentally covered his head with a towel while drying him, and he bit me badly. I still have a noticeable scar on my hand. When people ask about it, I jokingly say a werewolf bit me.

The scar on my hand from Eddie's bite.

He didn’t like being picked up anymore. Walking too close to him could trigger a reaction. He would lunge at my feet, hands, and even my torso. I stopped letting him anywhere near my face. However, he was fine on walks and around other dogs, he was only biting me.

I was overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do. I cried a lot and felt like a failure. When you look at Eddie, he doesn't look like he'd be an aggressive dog. He's so small, fluffy, and cute.

Training Didn’t Fix It

I hired a trainer. Eddie was on his best behavior during the visit. He happily greeted the trainer at the door. The trainer questioned whether Eddie was truly aggressive. He was like, “This is the aggressive dog?!” — until I showed him my scars.

He advised firmer boundaries, routines, and introduced the “nothing in life is free” concept. Training helped me understand structure better, but I was not the best at enforcement. Eddie’s aggression continued, and I never knew what would trigger him next.

We visited the vet to rule out physical causes. Eddie was healthy. The vet recommended a veterinary behaviorist — but the waitlist was eight months.

During that time, Eddie bit every member of my family. I kept a running count of how many days we could go without him biting me. Sometimes we couldn’t make it past two days. My family worried about my safety and urged me to surrender him. I cried often and felt completely lost.

Trying Everything

Out of desperation, I even tried a pet psychic after reading an article on Chewy. I didn’t share any details about Eddie beforehand. Some things were generic, but one comment was super specific. He asked if Eddie had ever been held under his arms, facing a mirror. I had done exactly that during a stressful bath because I wanted him to look in the mirror when’s angry.

He told me not to do it — that it made Eddie feel vulnerable. While it didn’t change Eddie’s behavior, it changed how I thought about his emotional world.

The Veterinary Behaviorist

Fortunately, there was a a cancellation five months into our eight month wait.

A veterinary behaviorist is essentially a psychiatrist for animals, with additional schooling in behavior and medication management. She explained that the “alpha” theory is outdated. Instead of sending Eddie away after an incident, I should leave the room — because dogs fear being left behind by their pack.

I started doing exactly that. When Eddie reacted aggressively, I calmly left the room and closed the door. When I returned, he would be anxiously waiting, ready to reconnect.

She observed that Eddie was extremely anxious — stiff body language, hyper-vigilant, food-motivated, and constantly on edge. She recommended fluoxetine and gabapentin. I agreed immediately. I had no issues trying out medication.

A Changing Point

After about two weeks on the medication, the change was noticeable — and honestly, miraculous. Eddie didn’t become cuddly. He still prefers space and boundaries. But the constant aggression faded. The “werewolf” moments stopped.

Days without bites turned into weeks, then months. Eddie has now been on fluoxetine for nearly five years, and our vet believes he will likely remain on it for life. Bathing still isn’t his favorite, but after four years, I no longer need heavy handler gloves.

Life Today

It’s not perfect. Stressful situations can still trigger him — major moves, travel, too much time around other dogs (his Frenchie cousins), or being woken up out of routine. Then we moved from California to Nevada and temporarily stayed in Wisconsin, it was a lot for him. Now that we’re settled in our own home, I manage his environment carefully. He’s happiest resting quietly in the bedroom, away from chaos if we have dog visitors. Otherwise, he's fine with human visitors.

Overall, Eddie is the most loyal companion — willing to follow me anywhere, just as long as his boundaries are respected. He is calm and loving. I know he loves me more than anything. He literally went into the ocean after me.

Every dog is unique. Having an anxious and aggressive dog is hard. It’s emotionally challenging. But you are not alone. Your dog can change. There is hope even if you feel hopeless. Don't give up.

There are many great trainers and vets to speak with.

What to Know About Veterinary Behaviorists

• They are the only professionals certified to diagnose and treat behavior issues with medication

• They are not inexpensive, but pet insurance may reimburse part of the cost

• Our total bill was about $1,400.

• The term behaviorist should be used carefully — true behaviorists have advanced degrees in animal behavior, and only veterinarians can prescribe medication

  
  

Alternatives to Discuss With Your Veterinarian

• CBD

• Pheromone diffusers like Adaptil

• Training

• Acupuncture for anxiety and stress

  • Los Angeles Area Residents- Five Elements Veterinary Specialty is mobile and does acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Get 30% off when you download the RECS 4 PETS app.

FAQs

What is a veterinary behaviorist?

A veterinary behaviorist is a veterinarian who specializes in animal behavior and mental health. They can diagnose and treat issues such as anxiety, fear, aggression, compulsive behaviors, separation anxiety, and phobias using a combination of behavior modification, training, environmental management, and medication when appropriate.

Can senior rescue dogs develop anxiety or aggression later in life?

Yes. Senior rescue dogs may develop or worsen anxiety and behavioral issues due to aging, past trauma, cognitive decline, pain, medical conditions, vision or hearing loss, or changes in routine and environment.

Is aggression in dogs always caused by “bad behavior”?

No. Aggression is often rooted in fear, anxiety, pain, stress, or insecurity. Many reactive dogs are struggling emotionally rather than trying to be “dominant” or intentionally difficult.

When should I consider seeing a veterinary behaviorist?

You may want to consult a veterinary behaviorist if your dog:

• Has bitten or attempted to bite

• Shows escalating aggression

• Has severe anxiety or panic

• Cannot safely be handled

• Has failed traditional training approaches

• Experiences extreme fear reactions

• Has behavior issues impacting quality of life

  
  

Can medication help dogs with anxiety or aggression?

For some dogs, yes. Behavioral medications can help lower anxiety levels enough for dogs to learn, feel safer, and respond better to training and behavior modification. Medication is often most effective when combined with professional guidance and environmental management.

Does putting a dog on behavioral medication mean the owner failed?

Absolutely not. Behavioral health is still health. Just like medications can help dogs with arthritis, allergies, or seizures, behavioral medications may help dogs struggling with anxiety, fear, or emotional dysregulation.

Are behavioral medications safe for senior dogs?

Many senior dogs can safely use behavioral medications under veterinary supervision. Your veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist may recommend bloodwork and monitoring to ensure medications are appropriate for your dog’s age and health conditions.

Can pain contribute to aggression in dogs?

Yes. Pain is a very common underlying cause of irritability, reactivity, or aggression — especially in senior dogs. Arthritis, dental pain, injuries, or neurological issues can all affect behavior.

What are signs of anxiety in dogs?

Signs may include:

• Pacing

• Panting

• Trembling

• Barking or whining

• Hiding

• Reactivity on walks

• Destructive behavior

• Excessive licking

• Hypervigilance

• Difficulty settling

  
  

Can rescue dogs fully recover from trauma?

Every dog is different. Some dogs make dramatic improvements with the right support, while others may always need management strategies and accommodations. Progress and improved quality of life are often more realistic goals than “perfect” behavior.

How can I help an anxious or reactive senior dog feel safer?

Helpful strategies may include:

• Predictable routines

• Positive reinforcement training

• Avoiding overwhelming situations

• Mental enrichment

• Safe quiet spaces

• Medication when recommended

• Working with qualified professionals

  
  

Is punishment recommended for fearful or reactive dogs?

Generally, punishment can worsen fear and anxiety-based behaviors and may increase the risk of aggression. Most veterinary behavior professionals recommend positive reinforcement and management-based approaches instead.

Can aging affect a dog’s behavior?

Yes. Cognitive decline, hearing loss, vision changes, pain, and neurological conditions can all impact a senior dog’s behavior and emotional responses.

What should I do if my dog suddenly becomes aggressive?

Any sudden change in behavior should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Medical conditions, pain, neurological issues, or cognitive decline can sometimes cause behavioral changes in dogs.

Disclosure:This article is based on my personal experience and is not medical or veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian or a qualified veterinary behaviorist to determine what is best for your pet.

Other Resources:

• RECS 4 PETS App – Find trainers near you

• Pet Insurance Guide

• Eddie’s Chewy Picks