What is the Trigger and the Reinforcement for the behavior?
Much of what is often referred to as ‘aggression’ can be more accurately described as ‘reactivity’. The dog is reacting to something; we may or may not be accurate in our assumption of what it is. Reactivity is, scientifically, a ‘conditioned emotional response’. The dog was not born this way; he has learned to become this way. Therefore, we need to address it as an emotional reaction, not just the behavior itself, which is a symptom of the underlying issue. If we ignore the emotion and simply ‘discipline’ the behavior, we can escalate the very behavior we had wanted to stop.
The dog on the left is doing what is called Resource Guarding. He is communicating. We may not like what he is saying, but we have to acknowledge that he is expressing his feelings at this moment in the only way he knows how. We then need a plan to address the cause.
I will work with you to help you understand what might be driving your dog’s behavior and what a solution might look like. There are some types of behavior I’m not willing to work with and I would recommend a Trained Veterinarian Behaviorist. I DO NOT handle aggression cases.
Behaviors I am willing to address with you are dog reactivity on-leash, aggressing on leash, fence fighting, aggressing at the front door, discomfort towards certain people, such as children, and other similar concerns.
I DO NOT advocate the use of shock collars or similar devices, nor prong collars or choke chains to address behavior.
Private Consultations
Private behavior consults are ideal for owners: whose schedules don’t work with group class schedules, dogs with specific behavioral issues (fear, reactivity, etc.), or owners who want very specific hands-on training. Private in-home consultation is also especially useful for behaviors which occur only in the home. Private Training lessons are tailored programs based on the needs of you and your dog. Debi will work with you to design a plan that is specific to you and your dog’s needs.
Happily, many behaviors can addressed effectively in a group class after only 1 or 2 privates.
Why Train With Anything’s PAWSable?
Why Hire a Certified Positive Reinforcement Trainer?
The professional dog training industry is widely unregulated. This means anyone can jump in and call themselves a dog trainer without having actually studied training methods and their effects, canine psychology and the science of how learning in the animal’s brain actually takes place. More than being ineffective, an uneducated “dog trainer” can inflict irreparable damage to a dog’s behavior & trust of humans. When hiring a dog trainer with certifications, you’re getting peace of mind knowing they’ve been vetted by an objective, third-party certifying body such as the CCPDT. Additionally, dog trainers who want to keep their accreditations must regularly attend continuing education workshops & education events to stay up-to-speed with science-based modern dog training techniques.
