Dog aggression can be very terrifying for everyone involved. From a minor display of aggression, or lunging, to a full-on bite, it could cause harm to people, other dogs, and even your pet.
Dogs that are aggressive and reactive are able to be controlled. However, it takes time and patience. Choose a trainer who uses positive reinforcement for both the dog and its owner.
Find a certified dog trainer
Many dog owners have a problem with aggression. If it is not addressed the behavior can cause serious injuries to both humans and pets and, in the worst instances, even a bite that could result in the dog ending up in a shelter or in animal control to be killed. There is good news that aggression can be dealt with. Aggression often stems from anxiety and fear, but it may also be genetically connected or result from a negative experience in the past.
A reputable trainer will be able to address these problems and will work with you to help your dog overcome anxiety and fears. When looking for a dog trainer in your area Look for their certifications and references, and ask what their methods of training are. While anyone is able to create business cards, it’s crucial to find a trainer who follows the ethics declaration of their certifying body and does not use abrasive methods of training.
It is also essential to select a trainer that has worked with dogs that exhibit aggression. Having worked with this type of behavior before, they will be able to provide you with some insights into what might be happening in the dog’s head and the best way to teach the dog to be more calm and peaceful. They’ll be able to give you some advice about whether your dog needs medication or could benefit from seeing a veterinary behavior specialist (DACVB). DACVBs are essentially veterinarians who specialize in animal behavior and a lot of people who have dog aggression regret not having seen one sooner due to the massive changes these specialists can make on their dog’s behavior.
Search for online dog training
Some trainers rely on methods of training based on dominance that include imposing “corrections” like putting your dog on their back with the alpha roll, or grabbing the collar to keep the dog from biting or barking, and using electronic static collars or vibrating collars. These methods may initially make your dog more obedient but they tend to cause anxiety and fear, which, in turn, can cause aggression.
Online aggressive dog training that works will assist you in building a stronger bond with your pet, so that they will obey you when they’re scared, excited, or stressed. This is especially important for dogs that exhibit aggressive behavior since they tend to get angry and lash out in response to these triggers.
Many owners find that their aggressive dogs are afraid or feel they must protect their family or home, which can also be addressed by a skilled trainer. A group obedience class, or a one-on-one session with a trainer who is skilled can assist your dog improve his confidence.
Urban K9, a highly evaluated NYC training center, provides behavior modification and obedience training to deal with leash reactivity and aggression towards other dogs and people as well as resource guarding and 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.
