Are you getting discouraged with clients not following your plan or losing them to the "other" trainers? Is the problem client compliance...or could it be your behavior plan? In this episode, Lisa looks at common mistakes all consultants make at some point (including her) and how to avoid them.

1. Stranger-Directed Aggression Starts March 30th

A listener asks if dogs that display stranger-directed aggression are being "protective," like so many of our clients think. Lisa answers and shares a story of a scary incident that involved her childhood dog and a would-be predator.

Stranger-Directed Aggression 3-Part Series for behavior pros - Starts March 30th

Many behavior consultants use a common bite scale to determine whether or not to take certain cases. In this episode, Lisa discusses why that's not an accurate assessment of risk and shares details about the dog who launched her journey into the world of dog behavior.

The 3-part online series, Stranger-Directed Aggression for Professionals, starts March 30th. Listen to this episode for a code to save 20% off registration (ends 3/1).

Resources

When do you refer a client to their veterinarian for behavior meds? How do you know if they are working? Where is the line when it comes to discussing meds? In this episode, Lisa discusses the tricky subject of behavior medications and our role as behavior consultants.

Resources

Stranger-Directed Aggression Series

Behavior Medications: First Line of Defense or Last Resort?

Blackwell's Canine and Feline Behavior

Explore the five components of muzzle training and how to break them down to prevent early mistakes from becoming big meltdowns later.

Stranger-Directed Aggression For Behavior Professionals Starts March 30th!

Teaching A Chin Rest

Muzzle Training: Movement

Django: Muzzle + Chin Rest

Have you ever heard a dog's behavior described as "arousal"? What IS arousal, anyway? Lisa discusses what arousal is, what it looks like, and what it means for aggression cases.

Links:

Mouthing, Mounting & Mischief Webinar

LA Animal Services Employee Mauled By Dog

It's not uncommon for Lisa to be the 2nd or 3rd behavior consultant hired on an aggression case. What are clients paying for, why do they stop working with a consultant, and what are the 4 stages every behavior program needs to support clients and help them meet their goals?

Resources:

Mentoring Services

Book: Telling Ain't Training

Part 2: The practical side of working with resource guarding cases.

Resource guarding behavior. What is it, what does it look like, and what are the variables involved in each case? Also, are lap guarding and space guarding real things? Lisa breaks down the many factors in these cases and dispels some common prevention myths.

Aggression is a term that can't be easily defined. In one reference book, there are over 30 definitions! To avoid confusion or misunderstandings, Lisa defines terms like aggression, reactivity, and predation, in order to avoid misunderstandings in future episodes.

Animal Behavior Desk Reference