Pamela Dennison - How To Right A Dog Gone Wrong: A Road Map For Rehabilitating Aggressive Dogs Updated And Expanded Edition

How to Right a Dog Gone Wrong; The Road Map for Rehabilitating Aggressive Dogs
Copyright 2016 by Pamela S. Dennison

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including electronic media, internet, or newsletters, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews. For permission, write to Shadow Publishing, 34 Lakeview Ave., Blairstown, NJ 07825

Cataloging in Publication Data
Dennison, Pamela
How to right a dog gone wrong: the road map for rehabilitating aggressive dogs by Pamela S. Dennison
ISBN Number: 978-0-9966655-4-4
1. DogsTraining. 2. DogsBehavior. 3. Aggressive behavior in animals
1. Title

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016907612
Printed in the United States of America

The information contained in this book is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the author or Shadow Publishing. The author and publisher disclaim any liability with the use of this information.

For the sake of simplicity, the terms he or she are sometimes used to identify an animal or person. These are used in the generic sense only. No discrimination of any kind is intended toward either sex.

Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering professional services in the book. If the reader requires personal assistance or advice, a competent professional should be consulted.

The author and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book.

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Publisher: Shadow Publishing
Executive Editors: Pamela Dennison and Meg Irizarry
Cover Design: R. Aube
Book Design and Layout: R. Aube
Photographers: Pamela Dennison, Terri Hirsch
Front Cover photo: iStock Photo

This book is dedicated first and foremost to Shadow (ARCHEX Ewe Are Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt, CGC, CD, RL3, NAJ, NA, TSW, TD), who started me down this path. Prior to adopting him, I had no knowledge or expertise in working with aggressive dogs. His recovery has taught me so much more than I taught him and gave me a sensitivity I didnt have before.

A forever thank you goes to Ted Turner, VP of International Operations of Ocean Embassy who, from his unique perspective as a large mammal trainer, helped me with Shadow and who, with simple terms, taught me big concepts.

Dedicated to the dogs that need our help, and to the people willing to help them.

And to Ellen Griffith, the bravest person I know, and her Beagle, Moni.

Its always tragic when a young, otherwise healthy dog is euthanized for behavior reasons. Sadly, that happens to thousands of dogs in this country every year, often because of aggression. Its especially tragic because in the majority of cases behavior problems, even aggressive behavior, can be modified. More importantly, aggression can be prevented. All dogs bite its a normal behavior for canids. Aggression is a natural response to stress, fear, and anxiety, important for survival in the wild. However, its becoming an increasingly unacceptable behavior for dogs who live in a human world. While dog-related human fatalities are exceedingly rare, especially when compared to statistics on deaths by other more mundane causes such as auto accidents and child abuse, they are always sensational and sensationalized. Maulings are also relatively uncommon, but garden-variety punctures and lacerations are common and on the rise. In a society increasingly uneducated about and intolerant of normal dog behavior, even a garden-variety bite gets dog and dog owner into serious trouble.

In days gone by, when Fido bit Johnny, Mom was likely to say, What did you do to make the dog bite you, Johnny? Times have changed. Today, Fidos declared a dangerous dog, Johnnys parents sue Fidos owner, and Fidos owner loses his homeowners insurance. If you share your life with a canine companion or are thinking of adding one to your family, you owe it to that dog to learn how to prevent aggressive behaviors from occurring, how to recognize early signs of inappropriate aggressive behavior, and how to take immediate, appropriate and effective steps to reprogram a dogs aggressive responses should they occur. Experienced dog trainer, and owner of Shadow, a rehabilitated once-aggressive Border Collie, author Pam Dennison is here to help you do just that. In these pages youll find sound advice about proper socialization and training to prevent aggression, as well as detailed instructions to help you modify your dogs already-aggressive behavior. So what are you waiting for? Turn the page and start reading. It could save your dogs life.

Pat Miller
Certified Pet Dog Trainer, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
Author of The Power of Positive Dog Training, and Positive Perspectives
Owner, Peaceable Paws, LLC, Hagerstown, MD

To Robert Sapolsky, who gave up some of his precious time to help me understand a topic that doesnt come naturally to me and was quite gracious and patient when I kept getting it wrong. He didnt give up until I got it right!

To Bob Bailey, who also gave up some of his precious time to tweak a few points to make it clearer to you all.

To my ever present students and friends who so willingly and repeatedly subject themselves to my photo sessions: you women are the best! The really neat thing is that during the photo sessions, not one of the dogs aggressed!

To all of my students and their dogs: Stacy, Anna, Cecelia, Audrey, Pat, Dave, Kitt, Karen, Jane, Jim, Gina, Sue, Gerry, Allison, Virginia, Rebecca, Janine, Ethel, Ellen, Andrea, Beth, Bob, Jen, Michele, Deb, Corinne, Julie and more, many of whom grace this book with their stories and pictures. They have all taught me so much.

And to my village, who with their amazing generosity and caring, helped make this book into a reality: Kristen Grimm, David Dreher, Linda Montemarano, Virginia Wind, Janine Krystofosky, Lisa Gryskavicz, Nicole Stagg, Kristen Murphy, Christina Dupuis, Susan Vaitekunas, Sam Wike, Ro Morrison, Catherine Lord, Meg Irizarry, Sandra Cox, Laura Ashtyani, Catherine Yocius, Erika Marshall, Cher McCoy, Esther Williams, Jody Haaswolfson, Abby Harrison, Sarah Harris, Debra Harner, James Dennison, Chris Warriner, Karen Fazio, James Thayer III, Lynn Broderick, JD Grever, Barb Sahl, Ruth Sheller, Tamra Temple, Julie Aliaga, Pamela Theobald, Erin McWilliams, Holly Godfrey, Andrea Davis, Jennifer Pennington, Laureen Reagan, Allison Schaefer, Ingrid Groeger-Stone, Deborah Goessling.

And to Shadow (ARCHEX Ewe Are Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt, CGC, CD, NA, NAJ, TSW, TD), who started it all.

There is no greater joy in the world than working with and seeing progress from your aggressive dog. The process of retraining an aggressive dog is not quick or easy. The dedication and patience you put in will pay off, not just in improved behavior from your dog, but in incredible self-esteem and sense of accomplishment for yourself. Being able to take your dog to places once fraught with danger is an enabling and life-changing experience. Stopping inappropriate behaviors before they get out of hand is even better!