Trainers

I have decided to take Harry for some training to try and help with his selective dog aggression. I'm hoping to get to the stage where I can walk him past a dog without him kicking off, or at the very least, reduce his reaction.

Have phoned 3 different Trainers so far and the prices and opinions vary considerably and they all start off with an initial one hour assessment.

Two out of the three thought they could help but weren't confident of a cure, but one said it would take the initial visit and possibly 3 more before they would tell me whether I was wasting my money.

The last one I phoned was confident he could help but he said that Harry was behaving this way because he felt he had to, as he (my dog) didn't feel enough confidence in me handling the situation and therefore he had to do it. The trainer said he would be training me (fair enough) and looking to give us both confidence in each other so that Harry wouldn't feel the need to protect us or act aggressively to other dogs. The training would be one to one for a while and then a class with other dogs. He didn't feel it was 'a staffie thing' as he sees it in all breeds especially with dominant dogs.

I would love to hear your thoughts about this, do you really think a dog feels the need to 'step up' because he doesn't feel confident in his owner handling a situation?

First off. What are the trainers' qualifications? I wouldn't even listen to them if they are not recognised ones!

I would also be interested in the trainers qualifications. I believe that they can sense our emotions and if the handler is unsure or not confident they can try to fill the dominant or protective role.

That being said if you learn what to look for with body language and have confidence in being able to handle a situation a trainer isn't always needed. I've never used any type of trainer or socialiation class and all of mine have been very well adjusted. I have had the advantage of having friends with very well socialized or "bomb proof" dogs to help teach mine proper behaviour as well.

Caryll one was a lady behaviourist and trainer who has qualifications and has been on the radio and is the behaviourist for a local well known rescue centre. She would use 'very life like imitation dogs' to start with, which i found quite amusing, but she says it works. One was a black lab and the other a beagle type. She said nobody knows why but black labs seem to be the dogs that are favourite to get a reaction.

Another was a training school started up several years ago by a Vet nurse who went on to gain all the necessary training and behaviour qualifications and now has several others working for her (also trained) They also have dogs they use for training and I liked her as she owns a Staff herself.

The last one was a man who I was put in touch with by the Veterinary Surgery/Hospital I use for Harry as other people have used him with success and they say he has 'turned dogs around' very well. But I don't know his qualifications, I suspect he may be what I would call old school. He was the one who said about the confidence thing.

I want the best for my boy and won't put him in any situation I'm not totally happy with.

Have you ever heard it said that aggression is caused because your dog doesn't think you can handle a situation so needs to take the job on himself?

I ve heard this before dog read a the owners nervous energy in a sitiuation and feed off of it.