Aggressive Dog Training in Austin
If your dog is showing aggression, you're not alone. Our team of certified trainers and behavior consultants is here to help.
We work with aggression every day: so let's talking through dog aggression and how to fix it!
What kinds of dog aggression are there?
When we see dogs barking, lunging, snarling, or even biting- that's aggression. But there are a lot of potential causes and situations. Does your dog:
-
Growl when you approach their food, bones, or toys?
-
Attempt to bite when you pick them up, touch them, or try to bathe them or trim their nails?
-
Bark at strangers who enter your home?
-
Get into fights with your other dog in the home?
These forms of aggression (and more!) can lead to serious consequences- so we want to make sure you get the help you need to keep everyone safe.
Aggressive Dog Training Options
If your dog is showing aggression toward people or dogs, get personalized help from our certified behavior consultants.
We'll start with a Virtual Behavior Consultation so we can really dig into exactly what's been happening: this way we can tailor the solutions to you and your dog.
From there we can move to in-person training with a comprehensive plan to solve your dog's aggression issues.
Aggressive Dog Training FAQs
Why is my dog aggressive?
There are so many reasons for aggression! Fear is a very common cause- many dogs will show aggression to try to protect themselves. In other cases, they're worried or anxious about things they value (like bones or food). In many cases, underlying pain or discomfort may be causing aggression.
Without asking for lots of details about your dog's aggression (when it happens, how it happens, etc), no trainer can effectively fix the aggression!
How long will it take to fix my dog's aggression?
It completely depends on why your dog is showing aggression! It also depends on finding a certified professional who can use up-to-date methods to help you.
Sometimes a single session will give you the tools to set your dog up for success. Other times, it might take months to help your dog learn to exist without aggression. Dogs are complex living beings, and treatment depends on exactly why the aggression happens.
How to train aggressive dogs
Training dogs with aggression is serious business: there are safety risks involved, and usually everyone (the dog and the humans!) are already very stressed about the whole situation.
Because of this, it's extremely important to work with certified professionals who specialize in fear, anxiety, and aggression and use positive reinforcement and modern methods.
While there are lots of uncertified trainers out there who will claim to guarantee success by using tools like prong or shock collars, many of these methods can make aggression WORSE, not better. Many of our clients come to us after working with one of these trainers, and tell us that these outdated methods just made things worse.
At Every Dog, our team stays up-to-date on treatments for aggression by attending regular conferences and seminars, and seek the highest-level certifications for this work. That's because we're committed to offering you real solutions that work, long-term!
Board and train options for aggressive dogs
We generally do not recommend board and train programs for dogs with aggression. Why? Because we want your training to succeed!
-
The majority of board and train programs that claim to work with aggressive dogs are run by uncertified trainers using outdated methods that can worsen your dog's aggression.
-
The few board and train programs run by amazing, skilled trainers typically don't work with aggression- because it's not the most effective way to solve aggression issues.
-
Also, aggression is based in certain contexts and situations: so training in a completely different environment isn't likely to solve the issue
We know it can be tempting to send your dog to a board and train to solve their aggression issues, but private training is by far the most effective way to do it.
Best Aggressive Dog Trainers in Austin, TX
We’re fortunate to have a ton of wonderful certified, positive reinforcement trainers in the Austin area. You can see our directory here.
In the Austin area and ready to get started with training? Set up private training today!
Aggressive Dog Training FAQs
Why work with a certified behavior consultant?
Certified behavior consultants (with a CBCC-KA or CDBC credential) have experience working aggression cases using up to date methods that are effective and humane.
On the other hand, anyone can call themselves a trainer- even you! But this doesn't mean they have the experience or understanding to solve your problems.
Will being the pack leader solve my dog's aggression?
No. Dogs aren't truly pack animals, and they don't see humans as pack members. Anything or anyone recommending that you be a pack leader or alpha is using very outdated methods! This means their advice likely won't work, and might make things much worse.
If my dog is aggressive, should I talk to my vet?
Yes!! Many types of aggression can be caused by medical issues, even ones that aren't obvious. Many cases of aggression get much better when we treat for underlying pain or discomfort.
Can you offer a guarantee to fix aggression?
No one who understands dog behavior will ever offer a guarantee. Dogs are complex animals, and aggression has many causes! Our team of experts will always tell you the truth, not offer unrealistic promises to get you to spend lots of money!
