Dog Training Service
Aggression Assessment & Modification
Aggression cases require experience, patience, and a clear-headed approach. Whether your dog is growling at strangers, snapping at other dogs, or has a bite history, Malia provides thorough in-home assessments to identify the type and triggers of aggressive behaviour, followed by a structured safety and modification plan.
Understanding the type of aggression
Not all aggression is the same. Fear-based aggression looks different from resource guarding, which looks different from territorial behaviour or redirected frustration. The first session is a detailed assessment — I observe your dog in their home environment, gather a full behavioural history, and identify the specific triggers, warning signals, and thresholds. Getting the diagnosis right is everything. The wrong label leads to the wrong plan.
Safety-first management
Before any modification work begins, we put a safety management plan in place. This means identifying high-risk situations, implementing management tools like muzzle conditioning and barrier protocols, and making sure everyone in the household understands the safety rules. No one gets hurt while we work on the underlying behaviour. Safety is not optional — it is the foundation everything else is built on.
The modification process
With over 20 years of handler experience — including work with high-drive working dogs — Malia brings the calm, methodical approach these cases demand. Modification uses structured desensitization and counter-conditioning at a pace your dog can handle. We do not flood, we do not punish, and we do not rush. Progress is measured in small, consistent steps. Most cases require a minimum commitment of 8 to 12 sessions.
What to expect and when to reach out
If your dog has growled, snapped, lunged with intent, or bitten — do not wait for it to escalate. Early intervention gives us the best chance at meaningful improvement. I will be honest about prognosis from the first session. Some dogs can be fully rehabilitated. Others will always need management. Either way, you will have a clear plan and a professional in your corner.
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Ready to work with a trainer who gets it?
Book a session and let's start where the real challenges happen — in your home, on your street, in your neighbourhood.