Anthony D. Shipp, DVM, FAVD

Dr. Anthony D. Shipp is a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry and offers a veterinary dental service in Beverly Hills, California. He operates a full service animal hospital at Dr. Shipp’s Animal Hospital, 351 Foothill Road, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (310) 550-0101

A problem that veterinarians and animal behaviorist are often confronted with is what to recommend for a pet that bites people or other animals. Although this is usually a behavioral problem, some breeds may be genetically predisposed to aggressive behavior. How can this problem be dealt with? Behavior modification by a professional trainer/behaviorist and neutering are still not the complete solution. Nobody can guarantee that the pet will not bite even when these steps are taken. Some day, in the heat of the moment, the pet may bite and sometimes with disastrous or even fatal results.

One treatment that is offered, either initially or as a last resort, is crown reduction of the canine teeth. This procedure is known as Disarming. Canine teeth are used in nature to tear an animal’s prey or aggressor. In the domesticated pet these teeth are not necessary. Even if someone wants a pet for protection, usually the sight of a dog or its’ barking is a more than sufficient deterrent.

Therefore, disarming the teeth of a biting pet has become an acceptable and effective alternative to giving up the pet, having it put to sleep, or extracting the canine teeth. Extraction is not a good alternative not only due to the difficulty of the procedure itself, but also the canine teeth actually keeps the dog’s tongue in its’ mouth. Extraction would not only result in an undesirable physical appearance but also may lead to self-inflicted injury.

Disarming is a procedure where the canine teeth are reduced down to the same level as the other teeth. It is performed under anesthesia. The finished product is teeth that will cause minimal damage if the pet should bite. It should be stressed that this procedure does not guarantee that the pet will not bite in the future. Instead, if the pet does bite, it’s an insurance policy the damage will be a more minimal crushing rather than a severe tearing injury.

Dogs with canine reduction often lose their aggressive behavior because psychologically they become aware that they can no longer, as in nature, act aggressively to become the “leader of the pack.” Also people around a biting dog often emit pheromones, substances secreted outside the body releasing specific reaction of behavior such as fear, dominance, love, hate, which the dog senses and reacts. With the fear gone, the dog no longer senses it, and backs down.

Crown reduction is considered a totally acceptable and humane procedure by the American veterinary dental profession. While it is unfortunate to discover that the pet you love may be aggressive, it is reassuring to know that there is a procedure that may prevent any potential injury to another.