Some Recent Aggression Cases

I recently started working with two separate cases of dogs who use aggression to control their human’s behavior. Stalking and attacking them for moving around the house. They have both tried a variety of medications, none of which worked. They also both tried E-Collar training which resulted in the dogs becoming scared of the E-Collar, scared of the commands associated with the E-Collar and more aggressive.  

They both tried a new vet, hoping for a new solution. She told them that the medication won’t work unless it is paired with the right kind of training and she recommended them to me.  So far most of our training has revolved around play. We have been using play to strengthen their relationships with their humans, help them better regulate themselves when they feel the need to become aggressive and improve their relationship with obedience commands and the E-Collar. 

Since the first class there has been zero instances of aggression. At times they become dysregulated but their humans have the skills to better support and manage their dogs now.

 I think the medication and the E-Collar are really helpful tools for both of these dogs, but they were not being utilized properly prior to our work together. The medication was expected to act as a magic pill on its own and the E-Collar was expected to change the dog's emotional state at the push of a button. When in reality the medication is a great way to make learning easier and the E-Collar is a great communication tool that fits within a larger training system, not on its own. 

Additionally the real issue was their unhealthy relationship with their dog and addressing that is much more complex than taking a pill or pushing a button. Playing with their dog in ways that really mattered to the dog and directly impacted these moments of aggression and dysregulation more effectively than the medication or E-Collar. Playing is their bridge to reconnecting and having healthy communication with their dogs and it was missing from both of these dog’s lifestyles prior to our work together.