The escalating behavior between dogs is a frightening experience for everyone who are involved. From a small display of aggression or lunging into a full-on bite it can be dangerous for people as well as other dogs or even your pet.
Dogs that are aggressive and reactive are able to be controlled. But it requires time and patience. Look for a trainer that employs positive reinforcement for both dogs and owners.
Find a certified aggressive dog trainer
Many dog owners experience a problem with aggression. Inadequately handled aggression can result in serious injuries to both dogs and people. In extreme instances an animal’s bite can result in the animal being taken back to a shelter, or even the department of animal control for euthanasia. There is good news that aggression can be dealt with. The reason for aggression is usually fear and anxiety, but it can also be genetically connected or caused by a bad experience in the past.
A skilled trainer will tackle these concerns and work with you to aid your dog to overcome his fears and anxieties. Find out about their methods of training as well as look for references and credentials when looking for an instructor for your dog within your local area. While anyone is able to create business cards, it’s essential to choose a trainer who follows the ethics statement of their certification body 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 before, they will be able to give you an idea of what could be going on in the dog’s head and the best method to help the dog to be more calm and peaceful. They will give you good guidance on whether your dog should be treated with medication or if he could be better off seeing a veterinarian behavior specialist (DACVB). DACVBs specialize in animal behaviour and are essentially veterinarians. Many people who have aggressive dogs regret not seeing one earlier, when they realise the changes these specialists can bring to their dog’s behaviour.
Find online dog obedience training
Certain trainers are reliant on dominance-based training techniques that can include imposing “corrections” like putting your dog backs in the alpha roll, or grabbing the collar of their dog to prevent them from barking or biting, and using electronic static or vibrating collars. While these techniques can initially help your dog become more obedient, they often cause anxiety and fear and can increase aggression.
The best online dog training will be focused on helping you build an improved relationship with your pet so that they obey you even when they are anxious, scared or stressed. This is especially important for dogs that exhibit aggressive behavior as they tend to get angry and lash out when they are confronted by these triggers.
A skilled trainer can help in the event that your dog is nervous or thinks it must protect its family or the home. Enrolling in a class for obedience or working one-on-one with a skilled trainer will aid your dog to become more confident and decrease their aggression towards other dogs.
Urban K9 is a highly-rated NYC training program that offers behavior modification and obedience training to tackle leash reactivity, aggression towards other dogs or humans resources, separation anxiety, and more severe behavior concerns. Stephen Baum, the owner has extensive training and certification experience. He also worked at Rescue Dogs Rock, NYC and with dogs who were difficult to locate.