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Questions to ask about classes for aggressive dogs

  1. Does anyone at the facility have up to date first aid training? Ask to see the certificates.

  2. Do the dogs ever come into contact with each other, or are allowed off leash with in range of other dogs throughout the class?

  3. Can you pay as you go?

  4. How many dogs per class?

  5. Is there any one-on-one training during class?

  6. What kind of qualifications do the trainers have? Do the trainers have any academic qualifications?

  7. Can you be assured of working with a trainer who is qualified?

  8. How is the class structured?

  9. Will there by any handouts you can refer to?

  10. What are the costs involved?

  11. Is there special equipment needed?

  12. Can anyone in the household take part?

  13. Who is legally responsible if my dog attacks another, or my dog is attacked?

  14. Can I have some names of others who have taken this class to talk to?

  15. Is there an online forum for class participants?


  16. How long have these classes been going on, and how long in this location? (It may be helpful to talk to the building manager to see if there have been any accidents, dog attacks, etc.,)

 

Classes are not recommended as a way to treat any aggressive dog, even if there is only a small number of participants, although the dog may benefit from obedience classes (if not aggressive towards other dogs). Each dog and each situation in entirely unique. Relaxation is extremely important to a dog's treatment. Often a classroom situation just makes an aggressive dog anxious.

If your dog has been treated, and you want to follow up on obedience training, talk in detail with the instructor about his problem.

Even if your dog has been treated, unless there is an instructor per participant, the class situation has the potential to cause your dog anxiety, to create distrust in your dog or worse, get out of hand. Note that any instructor will, of course, try to convince you that they run their classes properly and either there never is any problem, that any problem will be dealt with swiftly, or it is a good opportunity for corrections. After all, if they are making money from you - what are they supposed to say?

If you dog is aggressive towards other dogs you should stay away from any class, as any opportunity for your dog to think about acting aggressively or to act aggressively will make you dog's problem worse, and that much harder to treat. It is certainly not a good situation to desensitize this kind of dog with other aggressive dogs unless under very controlled circumstances where the dog is capable of relaxing.

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K9aggression.com is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of aggressive dogs, their owners and those around them. By providing education, inspiration and support through online communication we hope to promote responsibility, action, and understanding.

 

 
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