Canine Behavior Training
Seize the Leash
Attend a class designed for dogs that are difficult in normal group classes, that bark, lunge, become excited, reactive or aggressive towards other dogs or people or just shuts down. This class is des...
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Seize the Leash and tighten the bonds you have with your faithful canine companion. With some effort and patience, you can address your dog's behavior problems with basic dog behavior training, and keep your dog where she belongs-with you. Fill out our Training Services form and get started today!! Tiny Tyrants Behavior Class Puppy Basics Advanced Behavior Training Sign up for our newsletter. You’ll receive training tips and many more special features which are only offered through our newsletter! The Best Walking Partner Ask The Trainer at Tucson Cold Wet Noses Rescue
Fear aggression is not a simple behavior that can be easily diagnosed and treated. It is an entire spectrum of behaviors, ranging from a simple snap on a single occasion to Cujo, a foaming at the mouth maniac. What produces fear aggression is a mixture of things - socialization, temperament, abuse, genetics, training, or a trauma. Untreated, fear aggression only gets worse. Early socialization is a key ingredient to preventing fear aggression. By socializing your dog as much as possible, you are showing him not to be afraid, no matter the circumstances. Socialization means taking your young dog with you into lots of different environments and exposing him to lots of different people, dogs, noises, sights, etc. Familiarity produces calmness. The first stranger your dog meets is going to be scary. The 500th won't be (if all the encounters have been positive). Setbacks to this include lack of exposure, abuse, or a bad encounter with a stranger - in particular children as they have high pitched voices, move unpredictably and tend to pull ears and tails and poke eyes. The first is to prevent the dog from becoming as fearful as it would naturally, on its own. This basically means that at the first sign of aggression, you must let the dog know that that behavior is not necessary and will not be tolerated. Timing is very important here as you want your correction to be correcting the right behavior - the aggression, not the fear. And you MUST be calm always. Your dog is a mirror of you, especially in a situation where your dog is looking to you to determine how to react to the situation at hand. If you tense up, pull the leash tight, start playing devastating scenarios in your head - so will your dog and he will bite. This is where a behavior professional becomes indispensable. You need help to become confident, as it is rarely accomplished alone - simply by deciding that you will be confident from now on.
* Use positive reinforcement to train the dog. Reward appropriate behavior with treats, praise and petting. Earn and build the dog's trust. * Don't punish a dog for bad behavior. Instead, use humane, properly executed corrections. * Don't reward a dog for aggressive behavior (this includes cooing, cuddling and petting in an attempt to soothe). * Avoid reinforcing dog's fear with your own anxiety,corrections should be delivered in a calm assertive manner. No yelling, screaming, lunging, chasing, just a quick "touch" or leash "jerk". * Remember: fearful dogs don't like surprises. Establish rules and order to help the dog adjust, and make sure everyone in the house follows the rules. * As with any aggression, the person needs to become leader of the pack.
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Fear Aggression
The key to breaking this habit is twofold.
Helping a fear-aggressive dog: