The biggest mistake inexperienced dog trainers make in diagnosing and treating dog aggression is calling all types of aggression just “aggression” and treating all types of aggression with the same training plan.
Did you know that, according to Dr. Karen Overall, DVM. PhD (world-renowned behaviorist), there are 12 Major Types of Aggression? Fear-based aggression is very different than territorial aggression. And some aggression, like pain-induced aggression, sleep aggression, or maternal aggression are much more of a reflex than they are a cognitive choice. If you are discussing a type of aggression with a trainer, first of all, make sure that the trainer is actually certified to be giving you advice. The term “behaviorist” should ONLY ever be used to describe a DVM/PhD Veterinary Behaviorist. The term “Certified Behavior Consultant” is applied when a non-DVM/PhD dog trainer has undergone professional training, through a nationally recognized organization, to counsel owners on behavior modication. The behavior consultants at Teamworks have certifications through the IAABC, PPG, and CPDT. They have interned with world-renowned Certified Behavior Consultants like Jean Donaldson, Pat Miller, Leslie McDevitt, and Grisha Stewart.
A certified behavior consultant should be able to identify the exact type of aggresssion your dog is exhibiting, based on taking a complete behavior history. The rehabilitation plan should be very different, depending on what type of aggression is being displayed. Many times, dogs will show more than one type of aggression, so a detailed, customized plan is necessary.
If you are getting advice from someone who tells you that the answer to all behavior problems is to “dominate the dog” and show the dog who is boss, its very likely that you are not talking with a certified behavior consultant. Also, remember that some television shows like to portray dog behavior in an unrealistic and dramatic fashion for ratings. If you are watching a television show that the network describes as “doggie drama”, then you are watching Hollywood’s version of a celebrity playing a dog trainer. The number one objective of a professional, educated behavior consultant is not to get bitten / not to show the owner any training technique that is unsafe. If you are watching your television show and the trainer gets bitten, remember that you are watching a show geared towards ratings, not accurate information.
In short, the best dog trainers are the ones dogs trust, not the ones dogs fear.
Michele Godlevski has been a Certified Behavior Consultant since 2004.
Michele Godlevski, ACDBC, CCBC-KA, CPDT-KA, CC