Turning Fierce Dogs Friendly: Using Constructional Aggression Treatment to Rehabilitate Aggressive and Reactive Dogs (CompanionHouse Books)

Learn how to harness the power of worthwhile reinforcement to build safe, friendly behaviors in aggressive dogs. The positive training based, Constructional Aggression Treatment (CAT), as described in Turning Fierce Dogs Friendly, has proven successful for many pet owners and trainers around the world. As a functional approach to changing aggressive behavior, it offers a humane alternative to desensitization, counter conditioning, and distraction procedures. CAT typically produces long-lasting results in far less time than any positive treatment available, without the undesirable side-effects that are common with punishment procedures. The ultimate outcome is a once-aggressive dog that is now friendly.

Inside Turning Fierce Dogs Friendly:

Step-by-step instructions for performing CAT with aggressive dogs

Understand the normal behaviors of all dogs, of specific breeds, and of your own individual dog

How to be awake and aware of your dog’s behavior and your own

Discover your dog’s worthwhile reinforcement for safe, friendly behaviors

Advice for developing good observation skills and staying on task

The issues that can make or break successful aggression treatment: consistency, safety, and follow-through

Equipment, handling procedures, and preventing opportunities to practice undesirable behavior

When to call a professional