Transform Your Dog's Behavior: Expert Dog Trainers Can Help
Our dogs have a special way of filling our hearts and making our lives feel complete. However, if they develop distress behaviors like severe separation anxiety, they can face emotional and physical risks, potentially endangering themselves or others.
Have you ever considered getting professional dog training for your pooch?
While difficult dog behaviors are common, it’s important for pet parents to address them seriously by ensuring their dogs receive proper training to become well-behaved members of the family. This is where a professional dog trainer can make all the difference.
Dog Training Helps Transform Your Pet's Behavior
It might seem strict to give our loyal companions lots of rules, but the truth is, that dogs thrive with structure. A well-structured routine not only improves behavior but also contributes to their overall health. That’s why they love mental stimulation and activities that keep their minds engaged and balanced.
Keep in mind that when your puppy, juvenile, or senior dog develops challenging behaviors or unwanted habits, these are often rooted in fear and anxiety. By training your pet, you’re helping them manage stress more effectively, and when everyone gets along at home, both people and pets will be happier.
Seeking help from a professional dog trainer is essential in certain situations.
In addition to helping identify signs of separation anxiety, such as extreme stress and periodic panic attacks, a certified dog trainer can also offer valuable insights into why your pet is displaying distress responses like excessive barking or destructive behavior.
It's essential to seek the best advice from dog training experts.
We asked 169 dog trainers from around the world to share their best advice on handling the most difficult dog behaviors, and they've offered their top tips below. If you're looking for guidance on working with a dog that displays aggression, suffers from separation anxiety, or barks nonstop, read on.
Excessive Aggression and the Dog Training Profession
As with most behaviors, the first step in managing dog aggression is to understand why they are exhibiting it. Jody Karow of Go Anywhere Dog explains that "Fear is the most common root of aggression." She adds that it is particularly challenging to train dogs to overcome the fear they are experiencing.
"When we focus on helping our dogs past their fears, aggressive displays are much less likely to occur," Jody highlights. Fear aggression in dogs, a key focus in dog obedience training, is usually defensive and occurs as a reaction to perceived threats or provocation.
A dog's behavior can be significantly altered by excessive aggression.
Private lessons help a dog learn to control its aggressive tendencies. These tendencies can be caused by negative past experiences—such as encounters with a stranger, neighbor, dog sitter, or another animal—or by a lack of socialization.
Dogs can exhibit aggressive behavior even when they’re not fearful. In some cases, mistakes during crate training or potty training can inadvertently trigger this aggression. Other times, it’s a learned response, as seen with stray dogs who act defensively to survive. If not addressed early, a dog’s aggression can persist and even escalate.
Pet parents should consider that their dog’s aggressive behavior could also stem from medical issues, such as side effects from drug therapy or underlying conditions like urinary tract infections and diabetes, which can disrupt their usual mood and temperament.
Genetics can contribute to aggression in dogs.
"Sometimes genetics do play a role in a dog’s behavior, just as they do with people," says Melissa Vardy of Dog Training Now. "Most behaviors can either be corrected, or at the very least managed, with the help of a professional, but people often want their dogs to be something they aren’t."
"We frequently get asked if we can help a dog become a dog park or daycare dog. Not every dog is a good fit for every environment, and that’s okay," Melissa adds.
She further explains that if you put a large dog in a space that’s too small for his needs, or a small dog in a space that’s too overwhelming, it can lead to behavioral issues. In either case, a dog may begin to act dominant or out of control in an attempt to assert himself.
Pro dog trainers find the root of the problem.
"Figuring out the source of a dog’s behavior and creating a plan to modify it can be challenging, according to Sonya Wilson of Southpaws Playschool. That’s why it’s essential to consult with an expert, such as a professional trainer, veterinary behaviorist, or pet wellness specialist, to guide you in the right direction.
"Fear-based behaviors can worsen if the wrong techniques are applied or misinterpreted," she warns. "It's crucial to understand what is truly affecting the dog before attempting any behavior modification. It’s like a doctor’s diagnosis—an incorrect one can actually do more harm than good."
David Levin of Citizen Hound agrees. "It's highly unlikely that dog-dog or dog-human aggression will improve without significant changes to your daily routine," he adds. "The skills needed to address this type of aggression are often too advanced for most owners, and many lack access to the specialized training environments necessary for success."
"I think socialization is one of the most important behaviors to work on," says Alan Baldwin of Legacy Dog Training LLC. "An improperly socialized dog can exhibit a range of issues, including aggression and anxiety."
Alan adds that "when a dog is not properly socialized to people, they can become mistrustful of strangers. Similarly, a dog who hasn’t been socialized with other dogs may develop barrier aggression, snapping, barking, and pacing back and forth at a fence."
Separation Anxiety and Dog Training
Dog separation anxiety is a common issue, but that doesn’t make it easy to address. It’s heartbreaking to know your dog is stressed while you’re gone, and they may become destructive—chewing on furniture or shoes, urinating on the carpet, or rummaging through the garbage.
Professional dog trainers emphasize knowing the signs of separation anxiety.
"Separation anxiety can be one of the most challenging issues for owners to address," admits Sue Brown of The Light of Dog. "It’s hard for them to know where to start, as the behaviors typically occur when the owner isn’t home. A professional experienced in this area can be invaluable." Even a well-trained dog with separation anxiety will eventually exhibit destructive behaviors.
April Lott of Wigglebums Training adds, "Many owners don’t realize that dogs with separation anxiety shouldn’t be left alone until they’ve developed the necessary coping skills." A dog’s ability to handle alone time can be greatly impaired if their stress hormone levels are elevated.
Separation anxiety can severely alter your dog's behaviors.
It’s always best to consult a professional if your dog’s anxiety is severe, especially if there’s a risk of self-harm (for example, if they are a chewer or tend to ingest dangerous objects). Dogs with separation anxiety require a more rigorous approach, especially in serious cases.
How Dog Trainers Can Help With Incessant Barking
Some barking is expected when you have a dog, but it can quickly become obnoxious if it’s incessant. The first step in stopping a dog from barking is understanding why they’re doing it in the first place.
Misinterpreting the reason behind a dog's behavior can make matters worse when trying to stop barking. Angel Wasserman of Paws In Training shares a perfect example: "I once received a call from a potential new client," she recalls.
A dog trainer explains that there’s no universal solution to constant barking.
"Her friend, an existing client, gave her the training protocol I had issued to address her own dog’s barking," Angel explains. "But the protocol didn’t work for the new client’s dog, and she wanted to know why. The reason was simple—her dog was barking for a different reason. Once we identified the root cause of the new dog’s behavior, we were able to apply the correct training protocol."
This example shows that to stop a puppy, juvenile, or senior pooch from barking, they must be evaluated on an individual basis by a dog training professional.
A Certified Dog Trainer Can Help With Behavioral Issues.
Certified trainers possess advanced skills and extensive hands-on experience, allowing them not only to assess a dog’s behavior but also to modify it through targeted training. Certification can be obtained from reputable institutions such as the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP).
Their expertise often includes technical knowledge, such as operant conditioning, which plays a key role in effective training. However, a dog trainer must not only teach but also build a strong rapport with the canine student. Additionally, it’s highly beneficial if the dog trainer is certified by a reputable professional organization.
Dog training involves complex methods and techniques.
The dog training practice involves more than just teaching commands like "sit" or "stay." It includes addressing behaviors, promoting socialization, and enhancing communication between the dog and owner. A certified trainer is equipped to provide high-quality education that supports long-term success for your pet.
If you're considering enrolling your pooch in a dog training class, it's a good idea to consult with your vet or pet wellness expert first to ensure safety and maximize results.
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