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About Angela:
an aggressive dog is an unhappy Dog |
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What is aggression?
Some people may consider a growl and/or a snap as aggression. Others would say it is not aggression until the dog bites. Whatever your definition, if your dog's behaviour is a problem to you then it is a problem that needs resolving.
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Why are dogs aggressive?
How long have you got? I'm writing an entire book on the subject. Basically aggression is a survival strategy for dogs who find themselves in a situation they cannot cope with. Most aggression is caused by fear. Happily a far less common cause of aggression is predatory behaviour i.e. the instinct to hunt and kill.
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It's never the dog's fault, always the owner's.
True or false?
Even the most caring owners can inadvertently reinforce a dog's anti-social behaviour. However, you must not blame yourself for your dog's problem and feel it is all your fault. It pays to remember you are only human.
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Why do you need somebody like me to
help you?
Hopefully you don't. But if your dog's aggression is beyond your control it may become a danger to yourself, or other dogs or people. At best your dog will be regarded as a 'nasty' dog. At worst, the aggression will escalate and could lead to the destruction of your dog. |
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How do I work?
I work in a unique way when addressing a dog's social issues. Rather than train your dog to change their behaviour, I allow them to make changes themselves. It is essential that they are given the opportunity to make their own decisions in their own time.
With dog to dog social issues, I work with Teaching Dogs. My Teaching Dogs will guide and support your dog, initially on one a one to one basis and then in a class environment. Teaching Dogs communicate with other dogs far better than we ever can. My Teaching Dogs will gain your dog's trust and respect in a way they understand. Once trust and respect is established, your dog will learn from the Teaching Dogs how to communicate and therefore relax in a situation that previously they found threatening.
In the Communication Classes, your dog will meet many other dogs under the supervision of the Teaching Dogs. Your dog will learn how to communicate with other dogs in a socially acceptable manner. Only a dog can teach another dog canine communication. Once they understand canine communication, they will naturally feel more relaxed. Some dogs do understand the canine language but still need to learn canine etiquette. Again, the Teaching Dogs will educate them in this area.
In time, your dog will learn how to cope with the most difficult situations they would encounter whilst out exercising, in this safe and controlled environment. These could be seeing another dog in the distance and seeing another dog appear suddenly in front of them. Your dog will learn how to cope on and off lead.
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Will your dog be punished?
NO in capital letters. All my training is reward based and I operate in the spirit of understanding and co-operation. No choke chains, no force.
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Can you can teach an old dog new tricks?
Do not feel that your dog is a hopeless case if he has had a problem for some time, or is an older dog. A little understanding and training can work wonders. And give you and your dog the freedom to live a happier, fuller life together.
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Do I work with other animals?
I also work with horses in terms of handling and behavioural problems. Having spent many years taming and re-homing feral cats, I also deal with feline aggression.
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What are my qualifications?
There is no definitive qualification for canine aggression trainers. I only wish there were. Having said that I have learnt from the best dog experts in the world - the dogs themselves .
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Started out as veterinary nurse. progressed onto working with behavioural problems with practice clients in 1985.
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Formed my own animal rescue centre only admitting dogs due for destruction. I successfully re-homed over three hundred dogs. This earned me the ' Animal Country ' award, present by Sarah Kennedy and Desmond Morris in 1995
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Address all types of aggression including stock chasing. My dogs are specifically trained for this work, as are my sheep.
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Pioneer of Canine Communication Classes using Teaching Dogs, in the UK. These classes are specifically designed for socialising dogs with aggression problems.
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Have long studied pack behaviour, in both my own pack of dogs and in free running rescue shelters internationally.
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Work closely with Royal Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals , Guide Dogs for the Blind, National Canine Defence League and Battersea Dogs Home.
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Work closely with Rescue Shelters in other countries, including Japan and Italy; primarily advising on kennel stress management and rehabilitation of aggression problems.
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Run extensive workshops on aggression for the public and dog trainers in the UK and Europe
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I am proud to be an Associate of Robin Walker, MRCVS.
Robin was a highly valued member of the the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, up until his retirement earlier this year.
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Lectured at Southampton University on Canine Aggression .
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Worked as TV consultant for 'Absolutely Animals'.
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Currently writing commissioned books on GSDs and also canine aggression. Have produced an internationally recognized video on Canine Communication .
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