Aggressive Mastiff-Looking for Trainers
 

Hello, This is my first post and glad to find a forum like this to discuss doggy issues.

Three year old mastiff (180 lbs), who in the last few months has become aggressive with people coming home and while on walks around the block:cry:. Otherwise on trips to public places like Petsmart (where he has gone for training before), he is the sweetest mastiff ever:cloud9:.

Need a trainer to come home to train. Can anyone recommend one in the Mississauga area?

[url]http://www.cappdt.ca/public/jpage/1/p/Home/content.do[/url]

Check the [B]Find a Trainer[/B] section. Most say what their specialty is and some do work with aggression problems. One near me (he's moved and I don't know where to) does temperament assessments at the OSPCA closest to him and does specialize in dogs with aggression problems. You could ask local OSPCA and other shelters and rescues near you if they could recommend someone.

Ask your Vet, boarding kennel, dog training friends too. Be careful, it's easy for anyone to say they are a dog trainer and hang out a shingle. No credentials or licensing is required. But at least if they belong to CAPPDT there is some reassure of integrity and knowledge. Or if they come recommended by such a person.

Probably the first thing any good trainer is going to want to know is the state of his health. Thyroid problems can manifest with aggression. There are other health problems that might do so too so your first action is to get a Vet check, explain your concerns and a full blood panel done.

Good luck.