vi Table of Contents Introduction 1 Part I Overview & Practical Considerations Chapter One: What is Aggression? 5 The Baby, the Bathwater, and Buddy s Behavior 6 Discussing Aggression with Clients 7 Chapter Two: Levels of Aggression 9 Bite Levels 10 Chapter Three: Types of Aggression 13 Offensive or Defensive? 13 Common Types of Aggression 13 Chapter Four: Case Selection and Education 17 The Case of the Overconfident Trainer 17 Take It or Leave It 18 Should I Stay or Should I Go? 19 Education: Are You Experienced? 20 DVDs and Books 21 Other Research Topics 21 Chapter Five: Legal Considerations 25 Insurance 26 Guarantees 26 Liability Contract 27 Sample Dog Training Services Agreement 30 Part II Pre-Session Considerations Chapter Six: Phone Screening 35 He s Really Sweet, But... 35 What to Ask 37 Checklist for Phone Screening 42
Chapter Seven: Other Phone Considerations 43 Unrealistic Expectations 43 The Instant Fix 45 Session Overview 46 Gauging Compliance 46 Ensuring a Safe Arrival 48 Chapter Eight: Advance Questionnaire 53 Client/Dog Relationship 53 Compliance 55 The Questionnaire 55 Behavioral Questionnaire 57 Chapter Nine: Scheduling 61 Who Should be Present? 61 Videotaping 63 The Sobering Story of Julie 64 Chapter Ten: What to Wear, What to Bring 67 What to Wear 67 What to Bring 68 Equipment to Avoid 75 Chapter Eleven: Two Approaches to Aggression 77 Meeting Aggression with Aggression 77 Modern Methods 78 Part III The Session Chapter Twelve: Making an Entrance 83 Reacting to Reactive Behavior 83 Bodies in Motion 85 To Treat or Not to Treat? 85 Chapter Thirteen: Taking a History 87 Leave that Doggy in the Window 87 Take Notice 88 The Art of Interviewing 89 Reviewing the Advance Questionnaire 89 Now What? 94 vii
viii Chapter Fourteen: Questionnaires 95 Resource Guarding 96 Handling Issues 98 Aggression Toward Unfamiliar Dogs 101 Aggression Toward Visitors 104 Chapter Fifteen: Topics to Discuss 109 Normal Canine Behavior 109 The Development and Modification of Aggression 110 Management and Liability 111 Reacting to an Incident 112 Canine Body Language 112 Human Body Language 114 Neutering 115 Equipment 115 Nutrition 116 Exercise and Mental Stimulation 117 Leadership Or, The Clint Eastwood Effect 117 Chapter Sixteen: Skills to Teach 121 Classical Conditioning 121 Operant Conditioning and Obedience Skills 123 Other Skills 126 Ending the Session 127 Chapter Seventeen: Written Assessment and Follow-Up Letter 129 Written Assessment 129 Follow-Up Letter for Clients 129 Veterinary Letter 130 Sample Assessment for Your Records 130 Sample Veterinary Letter and Assessment 135 Chapter Eighteen: Follow-Up Sessions 141 Review 141 Assess Skills and Progress 142 Put Skills Into Practice 143 Employing Your Own Dog 144 Indoor Practice 145 When to Terminate Training 146
ix Part IV What Do I Do If... Introduction 151 Chapter Nineteen: What Do I Do If a Client is Being Physically Harsh with a Dog? 153 Maintain Your Composure 153 State the Facts 154 Create Camaraderie 154 The Alpha Roll 155 Chapter Twenty: What Do I Do If I am Bitten During a Session? 157 Prevention 157 Swallowing Fear and Switching Gears 158 Bite and Release 159 Multiple Bites/Attacks 160 Should the Bite be Reported? 161 Chapter Twenty-One: What Do I Do If I am Working with a Client s Dog and a Stray Dog Approaches? 163 An Ounce of Prevention 163 Don Your Supertrainer Cape 163 Threats to Your Personal Safety 164 Chapter Twenty-Two: What Do I Do If I Have an Aggressive Dog in My Group Class? 167 Pre-Screening 168 Reactive Dogs in Class 169 Ten Tips for Class Management 169 In Case of Emergency 174 Growl Classes 174 Chapter Twenty-Three: What Do I Do If I Have to Break Up a Dog Fight? 175 Hands-Off Methods 175 Hands-On Methods 176 Chapter Twenty-Four: What Do I Do If the Client Doesn t Realize the Dog has an Aggression Issue? 179 The Tale of Thor 179 Red Flags 180
x The Discussion 180 The Sobering Six 181 Chapter Twenty-Five: What Do I Do If An Aggression Issue is Not Resolvable? 183 Refer it Out 183 Board and Train 184 Management 185 Rehoming 186 Euthanasia 187 Offering Support 188 Chapter Twenty-Six: What Do I Do to Avoid Burnout? 191 Reasons for Burnout 191 Try Something New 192 Get a Booster Shot of Enthusiasm 193 Strive for Balance 193 Other Activities 193 Relaxation 194 Talk it Out 195 Take Some Time 195 Chapter Twenty-Seven: Three Wishes 197 Resources 201