Dog aggression can be extremely terrifying for everyone involved. It could range from a small gesture of aggression to a full-on bite.
Reactive and aggressive dogs can be tamed. It takes time and patience. Look for a trainer that employs positive reinforcement for both dogs and their owners.
Find a trainer who is certified
Aggression is a significant issue for a lot of pet owners. Inadequately handled aggression can result in serious injuries to both dogs and people. In extreme instances, a dog’s bite could cause the animal to be returned to a shelter, or even to an animal control department for euthanasia. There is good news that aggression is treatable. The reason for aggression is usually fear and anxiety, but it can also be genetically linked or caused by a bad experience in the past.
A good trainer will address these issues and work with you to help your dog overcome anxiety and fears. Ask about their training methods as well as look for references and credentials when looking for a dog trainer in your area. It doesn’t matter which printer you choose to print your business cards. What is important is that you locate a certified dog trainer, one who abides by the ethics of their certification organization and doesn’t use abusive methods.
It is also important to find an experienced trainer who has worked with working with aggressive dogs. Having worked with this type of behavior previously, they will be able to give you some insight into what might be going on in your dog’s brain and the best way to help the dog to be more calm and peaceful. You’ll get tips on whether your dog is best treated with medication or if he would be better off seeing a veterinarian behavior specialist (DACVB). DACVBs are vets that specialize in animal behavior and many people with aggressive dogs later regret not seeing one sooner because they can see the vast changes these specialists can make on their dog’s behavior.
Look for Online Dog Training Classes
Some trainers rely on methods of training based on dominance that include imposing “corrections” such as putting your dog’s back with the alpha roll, grabbing the collar to stop the dog from biting or barking and using electronic static collars or vibrating collars. These methods may initially increase the obedience of your dog however they can also cause anxiety and fear, which in turn can increase aggression.
A dog’s training program that is online and aggressive that works can aid in building a stronger bond with your pet, so they can obey you when they’re excited, afraid or stressed. 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 lot of people discover that their dogs who are aggressive are insecure or feel like they must protect their home or family members, which can also be handled by a skilled trainer. Involving your dog in a class for obedience or working with a trained trainer can assist your dog in becoming more confident and reduce their aggression toward other dogs.
Urban K9 is a highly-rated NYC training center that provides obedience and behavior modification to deal with leash reactivity aggression towards other dogs and humans resources, separation anxiety, and more severe behavioral issues. Stephen Baum, the owner, has extensive training and certification experience. He also worked at Rescue Dogs Rock, NYC where he worked with rescue dogs who were difficult to identify.