The escalating behavior between dogs can be a nightmare for everyone involved. From a small display of anger or a snarl to a full-on bite, it can be dangerous for people, other dogs, and even your pet.
You can train reactive as well as aggressive dogs. It takes time and patience. Find a dog trainer that uses positive reinforcement for both the dog and its owner.
Find a trained instructor who is certified
A lot of dog owners suffer from a problem with aggression. If left unchecked it could result in serious injuries to both humans and dogs and, in the worst instances there is even a bite that could land the dog back in a shelter or even in animal control to be killed. It’s good to know that aggressive behavior is treatable. Anxiety and fear are typically the reason for aggression, however, it could also be caused by the genetics of a person or an experience that has been negative.
A qualified dog trainer can aid you to overcome your dog’s anxieties and fears by addressing these issues. If you are looking for a local dog trainer, look for certifications as well as references, and then inquire what their methods of training are. While anyone is able to print business cards, it is essential to choose a trainer who follows the ethics statement of the body that certifies them and avoids using aversive methods of training.
You must also seek out an instructor who has experience dealing with dogs who are aggressive. They will have experience with dogs that have aggressive behaviors and provide insight into the dog’s thoughts. They will give you good advice on whether or not your dog is best treated with medication or if it would benefit from seeing a veterinary behavior specialist (DACVB). DACVBs specialize in animal behaviour and are basically veterinarians. Many owners of an aggressive dog regret not having seen one sooner when they realize the positive changes that these professionals can bring to their dog’s behaviour.
Search for online dog training
Certain trainers are reliant on methods of training based on dominance that include imposing “corrections” such as putting your dog’s backs in an alpha roll, or grabbing them by the collar to prevent the dog from biting or barking, and using electronic collars that vibrate or static. These methods may initially make your dog more obedient but they often create anxiety and fear which can lead to an increase in aggression.
A dog’s training program that is online and aggressive that works will help you build bonds with your pet, so they can obey you when they’re excited, afraid or stressed. This is particularly important for dogs who exhibit aggressive behavior because they tend to snap out in response to these triggers.
A skilled trainer can help when your dog is anxious, or feels like it is required to guard the family or the home. A class for obedience in a group, or one-on-one instruction with a trainer who’s knowledgeable can aid your dog to 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 or people as well as resource guarding and separation anxiety. Stephen Baum is the owner. Stephen Baum has extensive credentials and training experience, including E-collar training. He has also worked hard to find the dogs in rescue at Rescue Dogs Rock in NYC.