Aggression between dogs is a frightening experience for everyone involved. From a minor display of aggression, or lunging, into a full-on bite it could be a risk for humans or other dogs, and even your own pet.
You can train reactive and aggressive dogs. It requires patience and time. Choose a trainer that uses positive reinforcement for both the dog and its owner.
Find a trained instructor who is certified
Aggression is a big problem for a lot of dog owners. If not addressed, aggression can cause serious injuries to both dogs and people. In extreme cases an animal’s bite can lead to the animal being sent back to a shelter, or even to an animal control department to be killed. There is good news that aggression is treatable. Fear and anxiety are frequently the root of aggression but it can be triggered by genetics or a negative experience.
A reputable dog trainer will help you overcome the dog’s anxiety and fears by addressing these concerns. Find out about their methods of training and seek out references and credentials when looking for a dog trainer in your area. It’s not crucial who prints your business cards. It is important that you find an accredited dog trainer, one who abides by the ethical standards of their certification organization and doesn’t employ aversive methods.
You must also seek out an experienced trainer who has worked with working with aggressive dogs. Having worked with this type of behavior before they’ll be able to provide you with an idea of what could be happening inside your dog’s mind and the best way to help the dog to be more calm and peaceful. They will be able to provide you with some suggestions on the need for medication or might require a visit to a veterinary behavior specialist (DACVB). DACVBs are experts in animal behavior and are essentially veterinarians. Many people who have an aggressive dog regret not having seen one sooner when they realize the positive changes that these professionals can bring to their dog’s behavior.
Look for Online Dog Training Classes
Certain trainers are reliant on methods of training based on dominance that include imposing “corrections” such as putting your dog on their back with the alpha roll, or grabbing the collar to stop them from barking or biting, and using electronic collars that vibrate or static. While these techniques can initially make your dog more obedient, they often cause anxiety and fear, which can actually increase aggression.
The best online dog training will concentrate on helping you develop a stronger relationship with your pet, so that they obey you even when they’re stressed, anxious, or stressed. It is important to do this for pets with aggressive behaviour because they are more likely to react violently to triggers.
A qualified trainer can assist if your dog is insecure or believes it must protect its home or family. A class for obedience in a group, or one-on-one training with a trainer who is experienced can help your dog improve his confidence.
Urban K9, a highly evaluated NYC training program, offers behavior modification and obedience training to address leash reactivity and aggression towards other dogs or people as well as resource guarding and separation anxiety. Owner Stephen Baum has extensive credentials and training experience, including the e-collar, and has worked with hard to place the dogs in rescue at Rescue Dogs Rock in NYC.
