Category : Dog Aggression

A Territorial Aggressive Dog Training Question; What Do You Think?

Recently I got a call from another dog trainer to take an appeal from a client that he had received.  I am always hesitant to take a client from another trainer that is “too busy”, as usually it means the client is overbearing or crazy or the dog is extreme or aggressive.

But, I am usually up for anything or… almost anything!  When I am not up for a challenge or I feel out foxed, I am not above referring to a veterinary behaviorist who can prescribe medication that may help.  Often even after a referral to a behaviorist, I am the follow up trainer.

So, I was tentative when I made the call since no real information had been supplied to me.

The Problem

The dog is extremely territorial when the owner leaves the home.  The real problem is that the owner leaves this dog that she knows is aggressive outside on invisible fencing.  When delivery people come to her property, they are met with barking and snarling and the threat of biting. If he is sleeping under a tree or inside (he has a doggy door) people don’t even see the dog until they are well within his boundaries. No one can see his boundaries because he is on an invisible buried fence.  Recently the dog bit a friend of hers that came onto her property while she was gone. Read the rest of this entry »

Help! My Dog Doesn’t Like to Share My Affections with My Other Dogs!

I have had a few questions lately from people who need help because one of their dogs does not like to share human time with the other dog/dogs in the home!   A lot of us have more than one companion dog or pet in our homes and it is all about finding a good balance between all of us.

I have 3 dogs and never seem to have less than two, which is just the way I like it!  And, sometimes there are some jealousy issues even in my home!

Some people would argue that dogs don’t have emotions much less complex emotions like jealousy, but having spent almost 20 years training animals I can attest to the fact that they have emotions and complex emotions. Read the rest of this entry »

Working Dog Theory

Today I want to discuss a working dog theory and get everyone’s opinion on the idea and why people are so adamant that it works.  Although I really won’t weigh in on what I think, only giving the facts and the pros and cons, those who know me and my writing will probably know where I stand!  I am fascinated by the fact that this particular theory seems to work so well for so many.

Let me clarify, for today’s article working dog=police/military/competition dog.  This theory would not work for Guide/Service/Hearing working dogs.

As the theory goes; working dogs should not be treated as pets and are not pets.  Working dogs should be kept outside in a kennel and not live inside with their handler or owner.  The dog should be taken out a few times a day to work and some work related play is allowed.  It is believed that this aloofness creates a better working dog. Read the rest of this entry »

Help for Dogs that Control Their Owners Relationships

Recently I was out dog training with a middle aged couple that had acquired a lovely, but wild Maltese/Terrier mix.  Admittedly she has many problems some of which include aggression towards the toilet (when it flushes) and vacuum and also the possessive guarding of her human “Mother”.

“Mom” is her main care giver.  She gets up in the morning feeds and waters her, takes her for walks, plays with and trains her.  Although there is an adult son that also lives in the home and her human “Dad” they mostly only interact with her when Mom is gone and they NEVER train with her.

She is definitely spoiled and gets almost everything she wants, from everyone.  When she demands that her humans pet her; they do.  When she wants to play ball, she initiates and insists someone throw it for her; non-compliance will be met with barking and an escalation from nipping to hurtful biting.  When she doesn’t want to be picked up, she flashes her teeth and is hastily left alone.  She has to be tricked to enter her crate when it is time for her owners to work.

Mom makes her listen and obey commands most of the time, but gives in to her “cuteness” and has trouble truly enforcing commands, but no one else even asks her to obey or adhere to any rules.

AND, “Dad” is not allowed to affectionately touch “Mom” in her presence without the threat of significant bodily harm and damage (thank goodness she is not a Rottweiler!). Read the rest of this entry »

Puppy Possessiveness and Resource Guarding

Some puppies learn early in their development to guard the resources they receive, or their littermates might take them.   They guard food, toys, treats, chewies and even affection by snarling, growling, and even biting.  This guarding behavior often extends into their new homes.

The problem begins when these bullies enter a home with humans and especially those with young children.  They must be taught impulse control and not to guard whatever they value.   It is imperative to start this training while the puppy is young, if this behavior continues past adolescence it can be become extremely dangerous.

I remember hearing a story about resource guarding that still makes my hair stand on end.

On thanksgiving the grandmother of the family took the turkey out of the oven and put it on the counter to cool before dinner was to be served.

The family dog immediately came into the kitchen and began sniffing around and investigating the turkey.  At some point he decided the turkey belonged to him.

Therefore, when the grandmother returned to retrieve the turkey for dinner, he attacked her.  Her wounds were so significant that she had to go to the hospital for stitches. Read the rest of this entry »

Alpha Pack Theories Disproven!

The tide of dog training is changing.  The good news, is that it has been changing for most of us dog trainers for years, and although there is always a resurgence of negative training methods the science behind dog training is proving that the dog world has had it all wrong for years!

Problem #1: Theories were Based on Outdated Information

When dog training hit the mainstream a few years ago and got a lot of coverage on new series and TV moments, almost certainly the reason for a dog’s problems were linked to his “wolf heritage” and short term studies that were done on wolves in the 1940s.

Problem #2:  These Short Outdated Studies were performed on Captive Wolves

The problem with most of these studies that proclaimed to shed light on not only wolf behavior but also dog behavior was that they were done mostly with captive wolves. Read the rest of this entry »

How to Utilize the Gentle Leader and Similar Head Halters in Dog Training

I don’t often condone much less recommend the use of dog training collars because most often these references refer to: choke chains, prong or pinch collars, or even shock collars.  However, I do on occasion recommend the use of The Gentle Leader ™ and similar head halters.

I almost ALWAYS recommend a head halter for dogs that show ANY kind of aggression: dog aggression, human aggression, wheel aggression (wanting to chase scooters, cars, roller skates), and even fear aggression.

A properly fitted head halter gives you the ability to control the offensive body part; the snout and mouth.  Although a dog can still eat, drink, bark and bite with a head halter on, it allows their owners to control their face and snout.

Imagine your dog races, accidentally off leash, towards a dog aggressive dog.  Dog #1 is wearing a gentle leader head halter and his owner is able to pull his face upwards and keep his gnashing teeth from biting your dog, dog #2 is on a choke chain, prong collar, or buckle collar and because of his great range of motion in his neck and face he is able to lash out and deliver a bite despite his owner’s best attempts to keep him from biting your dog.

Although this is not necessarily the dog aggressive dog’s fault (since the other dog was off leash), accidents happen!

Now imagine that you are the owner of the dog aggressive dog; which collar would you prefer?  I would want the ability to control my dog’s snout and mouth in any

instance where he might be aggressive or deliver a bite.

People who have never had an aggressive dog think that these dogs should be left at home and never taken out in public or around other people or animals.  However, you cannot work on behavior modification and helping problem dogs if you simply lock them up and never teach them appropriate behavior.

BUT, as the owner of a dog that has aggressive tendencies you want to be in as much control as possible and the idea of your dog showing aggression is usually horrifying for you and fills you with shame.  Good people often get aggressive dogs, or dogs with problems and they have to deal with people who judge and blame them!

My second dog, a female Rottweiler, was excessively dog aggressive for most of her life.  She is the reason I am a dog trainer.  I couldn’t lock her at home and HOPE that her problems would leave and she deserved a shot at a normal life with on-leash walks throughout neighborhoods and parks. Read the rest of this entry »

7 Alarming Dog Attack Stats

Sources of information:

Dog Bite Law Center
CDC – Dog Bite Prevention
DogsBite.Org

Help! My Dog is Too Protective

Let’s be honest, one of the reason people get and like dogs is because they feel more confident and protected by them.  It has been proven that even the bark of a Chihuahua will drive away a burglar.  For most criminals it simply isn’t worth getting involved with someone with a dog.

When I was 18, a requirement of marriage was getting a Rottweiler.  I got 2!  My female Rottie was around 100# and was the sweetest, kindest, doggie soul you could ever meet.  She almost never met a person she didn’t immediately adore.  I use to laugh because if you simply placed a finger on her she was thrilled by the affection.

As I walked her to the park one day, a man jumped out from around a van.  I had NEVER seen her hackle or her show her teeth to a person before that moment and a growl resonated from within her belly.   I was just an 18 year old kid and definitely not a dog trainer yet.

He hastily scurried around his van entered through the passenger side scooted over and his wheels screeched as he tore out of sight. Read the rest of this entry »

The Top 5 Most Important Dog Training Mistakes to Avoid

People always ask me how I, as a professional dog trainer, make dog training look so easy and how can they can improve their techniques?

I came up with what I believe to be the 5 most important reasons people have difficulty training their dog to work effectively for them.

These are the 5 Most Important Dog Training Mistakes to Avoid, in what I believe to be the most important order.

#5  Lack of Practice or Effort

I have said it before (sometimes I feel like I talk about the same things) but I say it again because it is soooo important!

Practice is crucial!  Your dog WILL NOT learn at obedience class once a week.  I use to tell all my dog obedience students this on the first night of class, and YES most were appalled that I would admit it

Your dog learns through repetition and training AT HOME!  If you are not making a point to work your dog daily or several times a day or week, you will not reap the benefits of a well trained dog!! Read the rest of this entry »