The aggression of dogs can be scary for everyone involved. From a slight show of aggression, or lunging, towards a full-on attack, it could cause harm to people or other dogs, or even your pet.
You can train reactive as well as aggressive dogs. However, it takes patience and time. Choose a dog trainer who employs positive reinforcement for both dogs and owners.
Find a certified aggressive dog trainer
Many dog owners have a problem with aggression. If left unchecked it could result in serious injuries to both humans and dogs as well as, in extreme cases there is even a bite that could land the dog back in a shelter or at the animal control center to be killed. The good news is that aggressive behavior is treatable. Anxiety and fear are typically the root of aggression but it can also be caused by genetics or a negative experience.
A reputable trainer will be able to address these issues and help you help your dog overcome his fears and anxieties. Find out about their methods of training and seek out references and certificates when searching for the best dog trainer within your local area. It doesn’t matter who prints your business cards. What matters is finding an accredited dog trainer, one who abides by the ethical standards of their certification organization and doesn’t employ aversive techniques.
It is also important to select a trainer that has worked with dogs that display aggression. Having worked with this type of behavior in the past, they will be able to offer some insight into what might be happening inside your dog’s mind and the best method to train him. You will get some good guidance on whether your dog is best treated with medication, or if he would benefit from seeing a veterinary behavior specialist (DACVB). DACVBs specialize in animal behaviour and are essentially veterinarians. Many owners of aggressive dogs regret not visiting one sooner when they realize the improvements that these experts can bring to their dog’s behavior.
Find online dog obedience training
Some trainers rely on methods of training based on dominance that include imposing “corrections” such as putting your dog on their back in an alpha roll, holding them by the collar to keep them from barking or biting and using electronic static or vibrating collars. These methods may initially make your dog more obedient but they often result in anxiety and fear which, in turn, can cause aggression.
The online aggressive dog training that works can help you build a stronger bond with your pet so they can obey you when they’re anxious, scared or stressed. It is essential to do this for pets with aggressive behaviour as they will be more likely to be violently reactive to triggers.
A skilled trainer can help when your dog is anxious, or feels like it must protect its home or family. Participating in a group obedience class or working one-on-one with a trained trainer can help your dog become more confident and decrease their aggression towards other dogs.
Urban K9, a highly evaluated NYC training program, offers behavior modification and obedience training to address leash reactivity and aggression toward other dogs or people, resource guarding and separation anxiety. Stephen Baum, the owner, has extensive training and certification expertise. He also has worked at Rescue Dogs Rock, NYC and with dogs who were difficult to identify.
