Feeding for aggression

Question
Dear Dr. Connor,

I just recently started working with a dog trainer who specializes in aggression and who has helped several "last option" cases.  Unfortunately, my dog is beginning to fall into this category.  I have a 5.5 y/o MC Siberian Husky that I originally rescued at 6 months, and he is currently taking Prozac for his aggression.

The trainer says that I should change his food because some foods are more filling than others and his theory is that if the dog feels more satisfied then he will not guard the food.  The two foods that he recommended to me are Wellness Super 5 Mix in Chicken Recipe and HealthWise  Chicken Meal and Oatmeal Adult formula.  After carefully reading the labels of both, I do not know which one I should get (if either of these at all) since they seem rather different.  One has higher protein, fat, and fiber content than the other, and their ingredients are similar but still vary widely.  

My question is this: should I go for the one that has more fiber since fiber is what makes a dog feel full?  Is lower protein the way to go?  I feel that I need more resources and education to fully understand what he is trying to say about aggression and nutrition.  Do you have any thoughts on this matter?

Sincerely,

Laura

Answer
My first thought is that your dog needs to come OFF PROZAC ASAP.

My veterinary associate and I used this drug when it was first introduced as a treatment for dogs, at least ten years ago.  In humans, Prozac can (and DOES) create feelings of disassociation (meaning the human no longer cares what other people think or feel.)  Humans can observe and REPORT these reactions.  Dogs cannot.  Wean him off the Prozac by halving his dose for a week, then halving that dose, then removing the drug.

Get rid of the dog trainer.  He doesn't know what he's doing.  Food aggression is not treated by offering a higher calorie or higher protein based food.  Your Husky is at the last plateau of adult behavior in the domestic dog (5 years of age).  In his breed (close to type), aggression may be the result of dominance (especially if it's widely distributed and not just food related.)  You need to consult a certified applied animal behavior expert (Ph.D. or DVM) with a specialty in the rehabilitation of active dog to human aggression.  Your dog trainer not only does not know what he's doing, he's going to make this worse.

Contact the veterinary college within your area (even if it's several hundred miles away) and ask for a referral to a Ph.D. or DVM behavior expert.  If you can't find one this way, contact veterinarians within 150 miles of your home and ask for referrals.