Brenda Aloff - Aggression in Dogs: Practical Management, Prevention & Behaviour Modification

BRENDA ALOFF is a professional dog trainer specializing in problem behaviour. A large part of her practice consists of dogs who have been referred to her when traditional training techniques have failed. In addition to working with owners on re-socialization fearful and aggressive dogs, Brenda also teaches puppy socialization, fundamental to competition obedience, conformation, tracking, back-packing, musical freestyle, and agility classes at Heaven On Arf Behaviour and Training Center, in Midland Michigan.

Brendas childhood love was training and showing horses. She has taken this knowledge about working with large, potentially dangerous animals and applied it to training dogs with problem behaviours. Her first Smooth Fox Terrier sparked culture shock and a fascination in dog behaviour.

Unsatisfied with the results of traditional dog training, Brenda studied marine mammal training, exotic animal training and learned about wolf pack behaviour. Working with a steady inflow of rescue dogs that required rehabilitation, many of them with aggression problems, as well as personal dogs who were aggressive, made Brenda particularly interested in aggression. Puzzled by the lack of answers in dog lore and literature, and because traditional dog training techniques did not offer the tools needed to deal with aggressive dogs, in particular, she became an expert in behaviour modification and positive reinforcement training. Brendas understanding of Learning Theory, canine language and social systems provides dog owners with effective means of communicating with their dogs and modifying their behaviour.

Brenda lives in an old farmhouse with her husband, Steve (robotics and software), and her daughter, Abbey (seventeen and currently into creative writing). They currently live with: Maeve, a rescue German Shepherd Dog; Rylie, a Border Collie; and Brendas beloved Smooth Fox Terrors (no typo!), Breanna, Punch and Zasu (aka Zoomer).

Brendas first book, Positive Reinforcement: Training Dogs in the Real World, was published in 2000. In 2001, this book was a finalist for the prestigious Dog Writers Association of America Award. She has also authored several magazine articles on dog training, produced a television program about canine behaviour, and been a guest on radio talk shows dealing with canine issues. She is a member of Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), The National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI), Trainers Forum, and several other breed and training organizations.

Brenda travels all over the United States, giving talks on canine aggression and learning theory, from short lectures to intensive weekend workshops. People also travel long distances to spend a week in Midland, and do a week of private and group sessions with dogs who have aggression problems.

Photo by Joanne Weber.

Zasu, Brenda & Rylie. 2002.

No woman is an island and the writing of this work was not done by one person. I had much help and support. My own dogs have been great and patient (if sometimes rather violent) teachers. It would be impossible to list all of the clients and dogs that made my learning experiences possible. There are some whose involvement and dedication made this book a reality, and improved the quality markedly.

Betty Owen. Without Betty this book would never have gotten finished. She has been there for me in so many ways, not just with emotional support and encouragement. Even though she has a demanding work schedule herself, she jumped right in and spent endless hours reading and re-reading and counseling me on all the business stuff the stuff that makes me want to dissolve into a weeping puddle of frustration. I would have despaired and scrapped this project a million times because of the business stuff if it werent for Betty. Thank you so much, Betty.

My daughter, Abbey, and my husband, Steve, graciously covered for me in so many ways while I lived in front of the computer, planned photo shoots, littered the dining room table with illustrations (and the floor around it with my not-so-great efforts).

Lori Saxe was always there to provide me with a sounding board. She helped me frame many ideas with a clarity I would not have achieved by myself. Lori was there as I tried to figure out new software programs (this is me, who cannot work a vending machine). It was not always pretty, but she stuck with me anyway. She ended up with the huge job of doing the Final Edit. Then, to help me meet deadlines, she spent day and night helping with the input of changes. It is thanks to Lori that this text is understandable and so all of you who read it think I am literate. I may not be, but Lori is. Thank you, Lori.

There ended up being numerous editors. Larry Woodward at Dogwise provided me with much direction and his editing shaped this book in many different ways, all for the better. His support and advice has been invaluable. His initial encouragement kept me going past the original Gee, I think Ill write a book stage. Thanks for your support and expertise, Larry!

My friend Mary Wilmoth, who has spent hours editing the very first versions of this, and for her encouragement along the way. Then, she got suckered in again at the middle gullible girl. Also her endless deletion of my passive voice (whatever that is, but it sure bugs the hell out of her). Even though I seemed too stupid to stop including this passive voice thing in the book, all Marys editing made the book read much smoother. Thank you, Mary!

Judy Smith did some of the editing. She wore out a couple of red pens. Her comment to me after one of the first editing run-throughs was: Are you sure English is your native language? I think that tells you all you need to know about the poor souls who helped with the editing. Judy did all this for me during a time when she didnt really have time to spare. Thank you, Judy.

Lonnie Olson was yet another editor. Obviously my dog training skills are far superior to my writing skills. Lonnie was one of several editors who started out at the beginning of the manuscript with tactful suggestions like: Suggestion here or Please re-word for clarity and by the end of the text was writing notes like: Try saying it in English using sentences. I got to the point that reading the editors sarcastic and original remarks was the only entertainment that kept me going at 2:00 AM when I was making the corrections. Thank you, Lonnie.

My current resocialization class is so awesome! These people are dedicated to making a change in their dogs behaviour and they are succeeding because of all the hard work they have put in. They spent classes enduring photo shoots. They have been willing guinea clients for experimentation with different techniques. Their contribution to this book is significant, because their input regarding the protocols and help in the development of the protocols is what will make your job easier when you are modifying the behaviour on your own dog. They have pushed the envelope with their dogs because I asked them to do so. Thanks for having faith in me! Big ovation for Marylu Gibbs &Misty, Lori Saxe & Data, Linda Lynch & Bailey, Dianne Stevens & Cotton, Jim Harris & Sunny. Thank you!

The photographers who made the text of the book come to life so clearly are dear friends. Joanne and her wonderful Service Dog, Willie, who accompanies her everywhere, always make any occasion more tranquil with matching sweet and patient natures. Sam brought photography equipment and dogs for me to torture with the muzzle and Halti photo shoots. Sam, with her great sense of humour, is an asset anytime, anywhere. With my ability to take any situation and, terrier-like, turn it into disorganized chaos, these women sorted it out and somehow managed to capture the exact images I had imagined, even though I was probably vague at times (ha!). Thanks also to Kathy Mazur and Amy Morris who clicked a couple of photos for the book as well.