From the naturopathic practice, by Annette de Vogel

Aggression in dogs is often seen as a purely behavioral problem. A dog that lunges, growls, or bites is quickly labeled "dominant," "untrustworthy," or a "problem dog." Yet, experience shows time and again that aggression rarely occurs in isolation. In many cases, it's a manifestation of underlying physical complaints, pain, or internal imbalances .

When a dog consistently feels unwell, experiencing constant discomfort or pain, its nervous system becomes strained. Its tolerance to stimuli decreases, stress builds, and the dog quickly pushes itself beyond its limits. Behavior is then not a cause, but a signal .

The story of Tjekko is a striking example of this.

The breed: the American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a powerful, intelligent, and highly people-oriented breed. Staffords are known for their loyalty, tenacity, and sensitivity . They are often strongly focused on their owner and have a strong resilience. This very trait can be a pitfall: they don't always immediately show pain and discomfort.

When a Staffordshire Terrier consistently oversteps its boundaries—physically or emotionally—the reaction can be sudden and severe. Not because the breed is "aggressive," but because the dog has had to function for too long with its body out of balance .

Tjekko: a dog with a history

Tjekko, a 4-year-old, 30 kg American Staffordshire Terrier, was adopted by his current owners due to severe behavioral problems. He lashed out at everything and everyone: people, dogs, and unexpected movements. The situation eventually became untenable, leading to rehoming.

In retrospect, his behavior may have been a distress signal for a long time.

Tjekko came to our practice not primarily because of his behavior, but because of digestive issues . He clearly had stomach problems, was often nauseous, and regularly suffered from diarrhea and irregular bowel movements.

Measuring is knowing: physical imbalance as a basis

Using the Lecher antenna, Tjekko was measured. This revealed a clear weakness in:

• Stomach

• Intestines

• And especially the liver , which was heavily burdened

In naturopathy, the body is viewed as a single, coherent whole. When organs don't function optimally, it affects the nervous system, hormone balance, and behavior.

It soon became clear to Tjekko that his aggressive reactions may have stemmed from chronic physical discomfort .

Pain, tension and aggression

Tjekko was visibly in pain and cramps in his abdomen and digestive tract. Touch was virtually impossible: as soon as someone tried to touch him, he reacted with aggression. This isn't "bad behavior," but a protective mechanism .

His posture also spoke volumes:

• His back was tense with tension

• He moved stiffly and was constantly alert

• Relaxation seemed far away

A dog experiencing constant pain lives in a state of survival. Any unexpected contact, any stimulus, can be too much.

The liver and aggression – a view from Chinese medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver is responsible for the free flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body. When the liver stagnates, tension arises.

The emotions associated with the liver are anger and aggression . This doesn't mean that aggression is "all in the head," but that prolonged physical stress on the liver can also manifest emotionally and behaviorally .

In Tjekko's case this image fit perfectly:

• Liver tax

• Digestive problems

• Tension in the body

• Aggressive and reactive behavior

Treatment and advice: support instead of suppression

The treatment was aimed at restoring balance , relieving pain and supporting the organs involved.

CBDa oil Carlotta 10%

This oil was used because of its broad and deep effect:

• Supports digestion and helps with diarrhea

• Has anti-inflammatory properties

• Supports the immune system

• Pain relieving and relaxing

• Supports liver function

CBDa works on the endocannabinoid system, which plays an important role in pain regulation, stress response and inflammation.

Easing Balance

A natural pain reliever that:

• Reduces tension and pain

• Has a positive effect on the stomach

• Helps with nausea

Very suitable for dogs that experience pain in combination with gastrointestinal complaints.

Homeopathy: Lycopodium C30

Lycopodium was used to support the liver and digestion. This remedy is suitable for animals with:

• Liver tax

• Bloated feeling

• Digestive problems

• Irritability and quickly irritated behavior

Acupuncture points

Daily, specific acupuncture points on the back were touched with a special acupuncture cream to:

• To improve blood circulation

• To reduce muscle tension

• To calm the nervous system

Power supply

The diet was adapted to include cooked meat . This requires less digestive effort than raw food and is a conscious choice in situations with digestive weakness. By relieving the body of its workload, energy can be used for recovery instead of digestion.

Follow-up consultation after 4 weeks: visible difference

Four weeks later, Tjekko had clearly changed .

• He was visibly more relaxed

• His body felt softer and less tense

• His back was looser

• He lashed out much less at those around him

The owners noted that he seemed to be better at detecting stimuli. Later, it was discovered that his vision had likely been impaired. This could explain why he reacted so strongly to unexpected situations.

Within traditional Chinese medicine, a direct link is established between the liver and the eyes . Supporting the liver can also improve vision. In Tjekko's case, this effect seemed clearly noticeable: improved vision led to greater predictability and therefore more peace of mind.

His digestion was not yet optimal, but already showed clear improvement – ​​something that takes time.

Behavior follows the body

Tjekko demonstrates the importance of looking beyond behavior alone. By supporting the body, reducing pain, and addressing internal imbalances, space was created for relaxation. And with relaxation came different behavior .

This is the principle of totality in practice:
👉 Body, emotions and behavior are inextricably linked.

Aggression isn't always a training issue. Sometimes it's a cry for help from within . When we're willing to listen to that, real change can occur—for both dog and owner.