Dogs’ aggression is a frightening experience for everyone who are involved. From a slight show of aggression, or lunging, towards a full-on attack, it can be dangerous for people as well as other dogs and even your own pet.
You can train reactive and aggressive dogs. It takes time and patience. Find a dog trainer who employs positive reinforcement for the dogs and their owners.
Find a trainer who is certified
Many dog owners experience issues with aggression. If not taken care of, it can lead to serious injuries to both humans and dogs and, in the worst cases, even a bite that can result in the dog being in a shelter or at animal control to be killed. The good news is that aggression can be treated. Aggression often stems from fear and anxiety, but it can be inherited or triggered by a negative previous experience.
A good trainer will address these concerns and work with you to aid your dog to overcome his anxieties and fears. If you are looking for a dog trainer near you be sure to look for certificates as well as references, and then inquire about their training techniques. While anyone can print business cards, it’s important to find a certified trainer who adheres to the ethical declaration of the body that certifies them and avoids using aversive training techniques.
It is also essential to choose a trainer who has experience working with dogs that display aggression. Having worked with this type of behavior in the past they’ll be able to provide you with some insight into what might be going on in the dog’s head and the best way to help him. You’ll get guidance on whether your dog is best treated with medication, or if it would be better off seeing a veterinarian behavior specialist (DACVB). DACVBs are essentially vets that specialize in animal behavior and many owners of pets that are aggressive regret not seeing one sooner because they can see the vast improvement these specialists can bring on their dog’s behavior.
Find Online dog agility training
Some trainers rely on dominance-based methods for training that be used to issue “corrections” like rolling your dog back in the alpha roll, or grabbing the collar of their dog to stop them from barking or biting and using electronic collars that vibrate or static. While these methods may initially help your dog become more obedient, they often result in anxiety and fear and can increase aggression.
The best online dog training will concentrate on helping you develop a stronger relationship with your pet to ensure that they obey you even when they’re excited, scared, or stressed. It is important to practice this with dogs with aggressive behaviors as they will be more likely to be violently reactive when they are provoked.
A trained trainer can be helpful if your dog is insecure, or feels like it must protect its home or family. Participating in a group obedience class or working with an experienced trainer can aid your dog to become more confident and decrease their aggression toward other dogs.
Urban K9, a highly rated NYC training program, offers behavior modification and obedience training to deal with leash reactivity and aggression toward other dogs or people in general, as well as separation anxiety. Stephen Baum, the owner has extensive training and certification expertise. He also worked at Rescue Dogs Rock, NYC and with dogs who were difficult to locate.