Aggression between dogs is a frightening experience for everyone involved. It can range from a small gesture of aggression to an entire bite.
You can train reactive and aggressive dogs. It requires patience and time. Choose a trainer who uses positive reinforcement for both the dog and its owner.
Find a certified dog trainer
Many dog owners experience issues with aggression. Inadequately handled aggression can result in serious injuries to humans and dogs. In extreme cases an animal’s bite can result in the animal being sent back to a shelter, or even the department of animal control for euthanasia. It is important to recognize that aggression can be treated. Fear and anxiety are frequently the root of aggression but it can be triggered by the genetics of a person or an experience that has been negative.
A good trainer will address these issues and work with you to help your dog overcome his anxieties and fears. When looking for a local dog trainer near you Look for their certifications and references, and ask what their training methods are. While anyone can create business cards, it’s crucial to find a trainer who adheres to the ethics guidelines of their certifying body and avoids using aversive training techniques.
You should also look for an experienced trainer who has worked with dealing with dogs that are aggressive. If they have dealt with this kind of behavior in the past, they will be able to offer some insight into what might be happening inside your dog’s brain and how best to teach the dog to be more calm and peaceful. They will be able to offer some guidance on the need for medication or would benefit from seeing a veterinary behavior specialist (DACVB). DACVBs are experts in animal behavior and are essentially veterinarians. A lot of people with an aggressive dog regret not having seen one earlier when they see the changes these specialists can bring to their dog’s behaviour.
Search for online dog training
Some trainers rely on dominance-based training techniques that can include imposing “corrections” like rolling your dog’s back in an alpha roll, grabbing the collar of their dog to prevent them from barking or biting and using electronic collars that vibrate or static. These methods may initially increase the obedience of your dog but they often create anxiety and fear which can lead to an increase in aggression.
The best online dog training will be focused on helping you develop an improved relationship with your pet to ensure that they will obey regardless of whether they are excited, scared or anxious. This is particularly important for dogs that exhibit aggressive behavior since they are more likely to lash out when they are confronted by these triggers.
A skilled trainer can help if your dog is insecure or thinks it must protect its family or home. A group obedience class or one-on-one instruction with a trainer that is experienced can help your dog gain confidence.
Urban K9, a highly reviewed NYC training program, provides behavior modification and obedience training to deal with leash reactivity and aggression towards other dogs or people, resource guarding and separation anxiety. Owner Stephen Baum has extensive credentials and experience in training, including E-collar training. He has also worked hard to find rescue dogs at Rescue Dogs Rock in NYC.
