Dog Aggression Specialist

About Angela:
an aggressive dog is an unhappy Dog
 
 

What is aggression?
Some people may consider a growl and/or a snap as aggression. Others would say it is not aggression until the dog bites. Whatever your definition, if your dog's behaviour is a problem to you then it is a problem that needs resolving.

 

Why are dogs aggressive?
How long have you got? I'm writing an entire book on the subject. Basically aggression is a survival strategy for dogs who find themselves in a situation they cannot cope with.  Most aggression is caused by fear. Happily a far less common cause of aggression is predatory behaviour i.e. the instinct to hunt and kill.

 

It's never the dog's fault, always the owner's.
True or false?
Even the most caring owners can inadvertently reinforce a dog's anti-social behaviour. However, you must not blame yourself for your dog's problem and feel it is all your fault. It pays to remember you are only human.

 

Why do you need somebody like me to
help you?
Hopefully you don't. But if your dog's aggression is beyond your control it may become a danger to

yourself, or other dogs or people. At best your dog will be regarded as a 'nasty' dog. At worst, the aggression will escalate and could lead to the destruction of your dog.

How do I work?
Initially I will assess your dog in a one-to-one meeting. Once I have determined your dog's temperament and identified the underlying reason for his problem, I will design a program specifically for you and your dog. When the time is right you can both join one of my Rehabilitation Support Groups where your dog will meet and socialise with other dogs and people in a supervised and safe environment. Communication and understanding are the key to any successful relationship.  Any form of physical or mental force, or punishment are in direct opposition to Angela's  philosophy.

My approach focuses upon your relationship with your dog and how to communicate successfully within it. It nurtures a relationship based on mutual trust and respect . In short , a true partnership.

Will your dog be punished?
NO
in capital letters. All my training is reward based and I operate in the spirit of understanding and co-operation. No choke chains, no force. 

Can you can teach an old dog new tricks?
Do not feel that your dog is a hopeless case if he has had a problem for some time, or is an older dog.  A little understanding and training can work wonders. And give you and your dog the freedom to live a happier, fuller life together.

Do I work with other animals?
I also work with horses in terms of handling and behavioural problems. Having spent many years taming and re-homing feral cats, I also deal with feline aggression.

What are my qualifications?
There is no definitive qualification for canine aggression trainers. I only wish there were. Having said that I have learnt from the best dog experts in the world - the dogs themselves .

Some Notes on my Background
 
 
 
 
Started out as veterinary nurse. progressed onto working with behavioural problems with practice clients in 1985.
Formed my own animal rescue centre only admitting dogs due for destruction. I successfully re-homed over three hundred dogs. This earned me the ' Animal Country ' award, present by Sarah Kennedy and Desmond Morris in 1995
Address all types of aggression including stock chasing. My dogs are specifically trained for this work, as are my sheep.
Pioneer of Canine Communication Classes using Teaching Dogs, in the UK. These classes are specifically designed for socialising dogs with aggression problems.
 
 
 
 
 
Have long studied pack behaviour, in both my own pack of dogs and in free running rescue shelters internationally.
Work closely with Royal Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals , Guide Dogs for the Blind, National Canine Defence League and Battersea Dogs Home.
Work closely with Rescue Shelters in other countries, including Japan and Italy; primarily advising on kennel stress management and rehabilitation of aggression problems.
Run extensive workshops on aggression for the public and dog trainers in the UK and Europe
 
 
 
 
 

I am proud to be an Associate of Robin Walker, MRCVS.

Robin was a highly valued member of the the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, up until his retirement earlier this year.

   
Lectured at Southampton University on Canine Aggression .
Worked as TV consultant for 'Absolutely Animals'.
   
Currently writing commissioned books on GSDs and also canine aggression. Have produced an internationally recognized video on Canine Communication .
   
 

© 2005 Angela Stockdale. All Rights Reserved l E-mail: angela@canine-coaching.com l Tel: 01643 851599