Aggression Cases

This page and its content are copyrighted to Madeline Friedman, 2006, Innovative Reality Dog Training & Behavior Consulting

Let's not mince words about aggression. I take on a very limited number of aggression cases, and the reason I don't take many on is that Client Compliancy is often an issue in an area where one would think owners would be most motivated to comply, namely that of dog aggression.

Aggression in dogs towards humans or other animals is a serious issue. I ask for complete client compliance with my protocols and training, as well as that a compliance Agreement be signed by the owners of dogs with aggression issues whom I agree to work with. If an owner with a dog with aggression issues does not comply fully with my dog behavior and dog training program, they will be dropped immediately as my client due to the seriousness with which I understandably approach aggression issues in dogs.

I also ask for a NON-REFUNDABLE payment in advance of three lessons at our first meeting, renewable at the each renewed series of three lessons (there are some provisions for refunds for subsequent sets of three lessons after your first set, which I call Triads, that we can talk about when we speak). I will and do terminate working with clients of aggressive dogs that do not completely follow my instructions and follow up with me as to their dog's progress in the time required, which is within a few days of each session with me and never any longer than one week after any meeting we have with regard to your dog. I will not commence work with, or continue to work with, clients that can not comply with my requirements. If you are to have any degree of success with your dog's aggression issues, then you must commit to and take responsibility for complete compliance with my protocols, humane training methods, humane equipment recommendations (such as crates, gates, harnesses and muzzles, e.g.), management and supervision requirements, and communication requirements.

Understand that NO trainer, no matter what he or she says, can or should guarantee results with your dog. Any trainer well versed in canine behavior knows better than to think that they can control or guarantee with a Magic Wand any aspect of your dog's behavior, especially in their absence, and will also know better than to guarantee the behavior of ANY living creature that has any degree of free will, cognitive awareness, and emotions. However, when clients are compliant by following my protocols and communicating with me on schedule, most (if not all) find that their dogs improve, and continue to improve to some degree over time if they maintain training and behavior protocols, even after my work is done as their Trainer. In many cases I tell owners truthfully that I cannot make their dog aggressive dog 'love' or want to play with or even interact with every dog that comes along. The owner's expectations for their dog need to be realistic, and I can assist you with realistic expectations and what to expect in any specific amount of time for your dog. However, many dogs that are dog aggressive, e.g., can be made to tolerate the presence of other dogs much better, and to discontinue displaying aggression to other dogs under very many conditions. In some instances I have been able to help owners rehabilitate dog aggressive dogs to the point where their dogs can have a canine playmate. This is a joyful and ideal occurrence; however, I don't "guarantee" that this level of rehabilitation will occur with any or every dog.

Changing the attitude and behavior of a dog with aggression issues takes time. Only owners who make the commitment of time and seriously follow the requirements I have outlined in brief here will achieve any degree of success with their dog's aggression issues.

If you have a puppy, there are LOTS of things you can do to prevent many aggression issues from occurring! DON'T wait to work with a trainer and behavior consultant until your dog's problems develop or, even worse, become serious.

Beware of trainers or behaviorists that tell you they can resolve your dog's aggression issues in one lesson, or even those that tell you how many lessons it will take to see improvement. Dogs are living, cognitive creatures and the amount of time that improvement may be seen in varies with each dog, and also largely depends upon the compliancy of the owner and of everyone living with and interacting with the dog.

Be aware that the very quick results with some dogs that you see trainers such as Cesar Millan, also known as the Dog Whisperer, having actually take more time to resolve than they seem to be taking. Remember that The Dog Whisperer program is edited, and what may seem like a short amount of time for resolving a dog's issues in edited material may actually take several hours, several weeks, or even several months. Weeks or months are a realistic expectation, in my view, for chipping away at and resolving to any degree a dog's aggression issues.

If at any time I feel that your dog is beyond my help and expertise, trust that I will inform you and do my best to refer you to someone who may be able to help you further. It is also important that anyone dealing with the training and behavior of aggressive dogs know their limitations.

If you feel you can live with and comply with my requirements, please contact me. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire after booking your first appointment with me that will help to inform me about your household and your dog's issues. A credit card is required to make and hold any and all of your appointments for aggression issues. If any appointment is cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice to me and/or after I have sent you the questionnaire, I will charge a service fee of $15 to your card.

Please fill in the following form and press the "Send Information" button. This will send your information to Innovative Reality Dog Training & Behavior Consulting. The form must be received by the Trainer before the Trainer will speak with you about your dog's aggression issues. When the Trainer receives your form, you will be sent an e mail acknowledgment by the Trainer inviting you to call to speak about your dog's aggression issues. Please have an original signed copy ready for your Trainer at your first appointment, and keep a copy for your own records. Include your contact phone number so that I may call you; or feel free to call me within two days of sending me this page at 646-265-8743 if I have not been able to reach you. If I feel I can work with you and your dog's aggression issues, I will contact you within two days of having received your information e mail.

Your Full Name:

Location (City, State):

Your E Mail:

Your Contact Phone Number(s):

Dog's Name:

Dog's Breed:

Dog's Age:

Spayed/Neutered? No
Yes

Has your dog ever harmed a human? No
Yes

If so, please explain in detail:

Has your dog ever harmed another animal? No
Yes

If so, please explain in detail:

Other animals in your household:

Children in household, and ages:

Other adults in household:

 

This page was last edited on April 11th, 2008.