A 2023 study in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine found that 80% of dogs referred for sudden-onset aggression toward family members had an underlying medical condition, with orthopedic pain and dental disease being the top two culprits.

If you’ve ever had to drag a trembling 80-pound Lab into a clinic, you know the struggle. Veterinary teams are now being trained in "low-stress handling." This means using treats, pheromone diffusers, and specialized exam techniques to keep the animal’s cortisol levels low.