Dog aggression can be extremely frightening for all affected. It can be anything from a minor display of aggression, to a full on bite.
You can train reactive as well as aggressive dogs. It takes time and patience. Find a dog trainer that employs positive reinforcement for the dogs and their owners.
Find a trainer who is certified
Aggression is a big problem for many pet owners. If left unchecked the behavior can cause serious injuries to people and pets and, in the worst cases there is even a bite that can result in the dog being in a shelter, or in animal control for euthanasia. It’s important to understand that aggression can be treated. Fear and anxiety are often the cause of aggression, but it may also be due to genetics or a negative experience.
A skilled trainer will tackle these concerns and will work with you to help your dog overcome his anxieties and fears. When you’re looking for a dog trainer in your area be sure to look for certificates as well as references, and then inquire what their methods of training are. It doesn’t matter which printer you choose to print your business cards. What matters is that you locate an accredited dog trainer, one who adheres to the ethical standards of their certifying organization and doesn’t use abusive techniques.
It is also important to find an instructor who has experience dealing with dogs that are aggressive. If they have dealt with this kind of behavior before they’ll be able to give you some insight into what might be happening in your dog’s mind and the best method to train him. They’ll be able to offer some guidance on whether your dog requires medication or could be able to benefit from seeing a vet behavioral expert (DACVB). DACVBs are essentially veterinarians who specialize in animal behavior, and a lot of people who have pets that are aggressive regret not having seen one sooner due to the massive improvements these experts can make in their dog’s behavior.
Find online dog obedience training
Some trainers rely on dominance-based methods for training that include imposing “corrections” such as putting your dog on their backs in an alpha roll, holding the collar to keep their barking or biting and using electronic static collars or vibrating collars. These techniques can make your dog more obedient but they tend to result in anxiety and fear which in turn can increase aggression.
The best online dog training will focus on helping you build more trust with your pet, so that they obey you even when they are excited, scared, or stressed. It is important to practice this with pets with aggressive behaviour because they are more likely to respond violently to triggers.
A lot of people discover that their dogs who are aggressive are afraid or feel they have to protect their home or family members, which can also be handled by a skilled trainer. A class for obedience in a group, or one-on-one instruction with a trainer who is skilled can assist your dog improve his confidence.
Urban K9, a highly reviewed NYC training center, provides behavior modification and training in obedience to tackle leash reactivity, aggression toward other dogs or people in general, as well as separation anxiety. Stephen Baum, the owner is a highly trained trainer with extensive certification experience. He also has worked at Rescue Dogs Rock, NYC where he worked with rescue dogs who were difficult to identify.
