Movement drills interrupt a particular behavioral trigger of defense or aggression a dog may have. Too often you will see dog owners waving a treat in front of a dogs nose while it stares and fixates on a trigger of an approaching dog or person. This doesn't work and you may have actually begun to seek training because you have tried this before. Introducing a high value reward in the hopes to distract with dogs that share the same household is absolutely not going to work and in fact will make the jealousy worse. Movement of the body will relax the dogs mind. Interruption of that state of mind comes in many forms but it should be well understood that punishment is to discourage behavior. Therefore, interruption is punishment. The importance of not associating to punishment is how we are able to stop dangerous behavior and still maintain trust with dogs. Whats so important with inner-household aggressive behavior is understanding each dog needs boundaries and their own space to feel secure and to be independent. With multiple dogs we want to use multiple trainers to assist in holding all of the dogs to the same behavioral expectations. For this course it is important to understand that meeting in a neutral location is key. Often dogs instantly defend their own home and trainers see much more opposition to training methods.
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Lesson 1: Private (90 minutes at a neutral location)
Clients are issued their included basic equipment and lesson plan. Owners and their dogs are introduced to prong collars and our double handle leash. Leadership is taught through structured guidance of Operant Conditioning. Owners can select their preferences for their remote collar system.
Once we have introduced a prong collar to a dog, we begin disengagement drills. We simply "mark" improper pulling on the leash with a verbal "NO" and apply sensation through the prong collar while changing direction.
Identifying a Just Noticeable Difference in behavior is important. Interruption of that intensifying defensive or aggressive behavior must be done early by disengagement.
Disengagement from each inner-household dog is essential
Lesson 2: Private (90 minutes at a neutral location)
Issuance of remote collar. Owners proficiency with leash guidance is evaluated to begin remote collar lessons. Remote collar is introduced by pairing leash guidance to low level stimulation of remote collar for known commands.
We continue training of disengagement with the added remote collar methods
Lesson 3: Private (90 minutes at a neutral location)
Owners leadership skills are tested under moderate distraction during a structured walk with added clients and their dogs while under private instruction for each client.
We will begin the disengagement from high value items that multiple dogs may have fought over prior to training.
Lessons 4-7: Group
Clients will continue in small to large groups with various dogs and temperaments. Environmental distractions will increase with lessons at shopping areas, or in busy downtown Wilmington. Recall and place on and off leash under high distraction will build both owner’s and their dog’s confidence.
Lesson 8: Optional In-Home private lesson or group lesson
After clients have achieved a high level of skill an in-home lesson can fine tune those skills of identifying moments when their dogs can interact calmly or need to separated. The goal will be to rely less upon leash guidance but with audible markers and remote collars for disengagement if necessary. Clients can alternatively continue in small to large groups with various dogs and temperaments. Environmental distractions will increase with lessons at shopping areas, or in busy downtown Wilmington. Recall and place on and off leash under high distraction will build both owner’s and their dog’s confidence.
- A clients success with changing a dogs defensive and aggressive tendencies is dependent upon practicing the protocols they have been instructed in between our formal lessons.
- It is important that when clients begin group lessons, they must possess the coordination and skill to maintain a safe environment for other client's and their dogs. This progression can only be achieved through practice.
- Instructors reserve the discretion to require additional private lessons for dog owners that have not progressed at a level at which it is safe for them to attend group lessons.