Helpful Information
Dog Training Videos
Obedience training with Janet McMillan saved my dog's life. When my black lab mix puppy, Indy, got spooked, wriggled out of her collar and backed into the first lane of traffic on a busy street, I thought she was a goner. The car in that lane stopped and waited as she sat frozen in the middle of the lane, pleading to me with her eyes to do something. I thought about it and told her to "come". Because Janet had helped me teach Indy to respond to "come", she jumped up and came right to me.
Tracy, Arlington VA
Tips for Dealing with Aggression
A dog who is trying to scare or harm a person, dog or other animal through his actions is displaying aggression. Indications of aggression can range from very subtle, such as glaring, to extremely clear, such as growling, snarling or baring teeth.
Owning a puppy or dog who is displaying signs of aggression is stressful and confusing. These dogs are wonderful, loving members of the family until a specific circumstance provokes the aggression. Often the family feels as if they are living with two different dogs. Circumstances which commonly cause puppies or dogs to display aggression include getting too near the dog's food bowl, trying to take an item away from the dog, touching one of the dog’s body parts such as her feet or mouth, a stranger approaching the dog or the presence of another dog.
Aggression can occur regardless of breed. Even a dog of a breed that is considered to be wonderful with children can be aggressive. Aggression can be inherited, therefore when selecting a puppy make sure that you meet both of the parents and that they are friendly. Aggression can be caused by a traumatic event in a puppy or dog’s life such as being hurt or scared. Aggression can also be caused by lack of exposure to a situation. Puppies who were not adequately socialized can grow into adult dogs who are aggressive towards strangers, and puppies who did not have their feet or mouths handled when they were little can grow into dogs who become aggressive when someone tries to touch these areas.
Aggressive behavior usually becomes worse with age, so that the young puppy who growled softly in a certain situation becomes the adolescent dog who growls loudly and snaps in the same situation, who in turn becomes the adult dog who snarls and tries to seriously bite. It is therefore important to begin working with your dog or puppy as soon as you notice any signs of aggression.