Ah, Aggression in dogs, we get it! When your dog seems to attack and lunge at everything they can see, regardless of how far away it might be, you really have a hard time understanding your dog’s behavior.
Most of the information you will receive form dog trainers and most dog behaviorists has little to do with cause.
Dog Aggression Questions
Why does my dog become aggressive? Why is my dog aggressive toward men and not women? How come my dog is OK with some dogs, but, not others? How do I know which dogs or people my dog might bite?
Stuff You Know About Dogs
If you love a dog that is aggressive you are likely familiar with dog training information like, categories of dog aggression, types of dog aggression and so, on. You will be inundated with the theory that all canine behavioral problems and rooted in poor dog socialization.
What is Dog Aggression?
Behavior is based on what you are born with and what you experience. The basic psychological principle is fight, flight or freeze. We all have this “instinct” or we are in big trouble. What we are born with determines how easily or difficult it is to get us to express this reaction. Simply, put some of us are easy to scare and some of us are not. Some of us have “a short fuse” and some dogs do not.
Context is part of experience
Yes, we want a full an complete K9 behavioral profile on your best friend so, if they attack you around food or toys let us know. We need to know what your dog’s life is like on a daily basis. Things like diet, exercise and other dogs or people in their home are far more important factors of experience then knowing that your dog pulls on a leash.
You will learn why your dog pulls on the leash, why distracting your dog is for those that do not really understand behavior and how you and what you do can help your dog. You will also be given the correct exposure therapy training that fits your dog if exposure is used. Exposure is not always the best tool and is almost never where you should begin your dog training experience. There are several psychological techniques that come from the theories of exposure.
We Understand the Science that others are just begin to attempt
We go far beyond Canine CBT or exposure even our conditioning techniques and more effective then the majority of dog trainers. This is not to be arrogant we have simply studies longer and have far more experience then most. Our experience with behavior is also not limited to dogs or the typical environments experience by our competition.
The Research
The research on dogs and humans is pretty clear. Scientists are still not certain what percentage genetic influence and experience have on shaping behavior but, those are the causes of dog aggression. If you understand the science you will realize that the inability to control your fear or anger has little to do with learning the norms of social interaction or dog obedience exercises.
We are here for the puppy that is having a difficult time with puppy socialization. We recommend that all of our clients read: How to Help A Dog That’s Missed Early Socialization (Cathy Madson, MA, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA).
Updated: March 1, 2023
Stuff You May Not Know
We are often confused by reports of our teams having gone to multiple dog trainers and received the same instruction. This is not a surprise since no matter the number of dog training certificates a dog trainer holds, all of them are based on a single theory of behavior and teach the same techniques. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this model unless you tell people that you can treat an aggressive dog or a dog with anxiety.
Our dog behavior is not based on behaviorism, like Skinner, Pavlov or Thorndike. We have studied dog training in detail and use these techniques only when they are the best option. The key is not your dog’s obedience or intelligence not even the fact that they never listen to you. We will help you spend your time on what really changes human and canine behavior. That is thinking.
Do Dogs Think?
Just like we humans dogs do think. We often hear stories of dogs figuring out how to get what they want when we do not want them to have it. Just like people they have a hard time thinking when they are aggressive, fearful or to excited. Yes, you can change how a dog thinks.
Making the Life of a Dog Better
We love to train aggressive dogs because the majority of these cases are based on reducing fear, frustration and/or over excitement. Offering a better understanding of your dog and how to work with your dog to make it through previously dangerous encounters. If it is found that the aggression is neutral, it can even be used as a sport or skill. Motley’s Dog Training methods and philosophy.