Training Philosophy

Canine Psychology Center, LLC

Does Your Dog Have Issues With Aggression?

If you need a professional to help with your dog's aggression or other unwanted behavior problem in Denver, CO, and surrounding areas, you can count on Suzi Schaefers of Canine Psychology Center to help you. Suzi specializes in handling extreme aggression and severe behavior in dogs, but can help with any dog, any age, any breed.. Contact CPC today to learn more about our services.

Thoughts on Aggression and Other Unwanted Behavior

Through years of experience, I have learned that aggression problems and other severe behaviors are a state of mind and not a specific breed issue. For instance, a Labrador Retriever can have just as serious of an aggression problem or another unwanted behavior problem as a German Shepherd or other 'dominant' or 'powerful' breed.

However, some breeds are much more powerful than others, mostly the Molosser breeds, and some were ORIGINALLY and specifically bred to fight and even kill or "catch". The more powerful the dog, the more damage it can inflict if it does choose to utilize aggression as a way to control its world.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT IF YOU OWN A MOLOSSER BREED OF DOG! Be sure to click onto 'Molosser breeds' near the bottom of that page.

Some of the canines with the worst habits and most aggressive, dangerous, and out-of-control behavior that I have worked with in 40+ years have been Labrador Retrievers and their mixes. Really! Next are the herding dogs and their mixes, like Australian Shepherds, Cattle Dogs, and Border Collies. And, back in the early 1990's the number one biting breed on record in the US was the Cocker Spaniel! Then, years later it was the Rottweiler. How does that serious statistic move so drastically from the Cocker to the Rottweiler, seemingly overnight? Because EVERY dog knows how to bite! Living inside the human home, almost every dog has canine bad habits, whether subtle or severe. Your dogs and my dogs are no exception.

I have learned that EVERY dog is a product of its environment. A dog that is not trained, not taught to be well-behaved, and not under genuine control is not only an unhappy dog but has the potential to become a dangerous dog, even if biting/aggression is not the problem.

No matter how much money, time, and energy are put into a dog's 'training,' the dog will still feel the need to make its own decisions in times of stress IF the dog doesn't have proper training or guidance.

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Many dogs do NOT make smart decisions in the human world and they often get themselves injured or killed, simply because a well-meaning owner didn't learn to effectively communicate with their cherished pet.

Please remember that if you choose to work with Canine Psychology Center, there is a chance that we might be 'managing' your dog's unwanted behavior versus 'fixing' the behavior. That will depend on several factors, including you!

Most canine bad habits CAN be broken, but changing a dog's perspective on life in general requires a lot of patience, and many of us have a difficult time achieving that in our own lives, let alone with our dogs. Humans, in general, are incredibly impatient and inconsistent, which can cause any dog to question our decision and abilities on a daily basis.

I Believe the 'Wolf Pack Theory' Works!

​​It is great to have a dog that can follow basic obedience commands such as, sit, lay down, stay, come when called, and walk nicely on a leash... but if your dog does not view you as a calm and confident leader, your dog may choose to not obey those commands in times of stress or distraction. You may then end up simply restraining your dog, instead of gaining your dog's focus.

It is important for dog owners to know that effective communication starts inside the home. Whatever happens inside your home with your dog will govern what happens outside of your home with your dog, as well as when 'outsiders' enter your home.

Many dogs take life very seriously, especially those that are born more insecure or fearful. If your dog 'thinks' you are not in control of the surroundings and the goings on, it may attempt to do so in an attempt to 'survive'.

If you want to change your dog’s unwanted or aggressive behavior, you must first be willing to change your own behavior, even if just a little bit. There is no way around this fact and anyone who tells you differently may not understand the seriousness of building a trusting and genuine relationship with your dog. Canine Psychology Center does understand and with 40+ years of experience training and rehabilitating aggressive and behaviorally challenged dogs, we can teach you, too!

In the Animal World, You Are Either a Leader or a Follower

Science has proven that most of today's domestic dogs are 99% gray wolf genetically, and they are hard-wired to think, act, and react like a wolf in a pack...and of course, we are not.

We cannot teach canines to think like humans, so humans need to learn to think like canines. Your dog may have bonded with you and may 'love' you, but still may not respect you. If your dog does not view you as a genuine leader, it simply will not trust your judgment, your decision making ability, or your ability to control your surroundings...it will continue to follow instinct instead of your wishes and will continue to make its own decisions.

Many, if not most dog trainers and behaviorists these days will tell you that the 'wolf pack theory' is outdated, 'old-school,' or harsh. Sadly, most of the trainers who say that may not have the experience necessary to fully rehabilitate an aggressive or behaviorally challenged dog. There's no need to be harsh or aggressive with your dog, but there does need to be a level of communication that your dog can understand.

Other trainers will often tell you that your dog needs more and more obedience training. They, and many veterinarians, will often tell you to have your aggressive dog placed on mind-altering drugs or even euthanized. They will often tell you to stay away from trainers and facilities that still practice 'natural' training methods. Often times, if they do take on an aggressive dog, many of those trainers will have their clients use food or other positive methods in an attempt to 'redirect' the dog's aggression. While this can work sometimes, it has been proven to be a less than effective method to change a dog's behavior on a permanent basis.

These trainers are one of the main reasons Canine Psychology Center is in business. Dog owners need a trainer out there who can truly change a dog's outlook in general without the use of food, clickers, bribery, and hours and hours of practice. Suzi Schaefers is that trainer! Canine Psychology Center not only teaches obedience training, but Canine Psychology Center teaches appropriate pack behavior in dogs and pack leadership in owners.

If you search the internet you will find a LOT of information out there that will tell you the 'alpha dog' theory AKA 'wolf pack theory' has been officially debunked…that it just does not work. Just like politics, religion, gun control and other hot-button issues, there is huge debate. Animal trainers, animal behaviorists, animal psychologists, animal communicators, and even every day dog lovers will debate the 'wolf pack theory' unendingly. Each one is absolutely certain that THEIR way is the best way, and that the 'wolf pack theory' simply does not work and is not necessary.

Many of these 'debunkers' seem to think those of us who DO believe in the WPT are too aggressive or rough with dogs in order to train them to no longer be aggressive. Canine Psychology Center also does not believe in being abusive or aggressive toward any dog. Any necessary leash corrections are short, sweet, to-the-point, and rarely need to be repeated. Whereas, the 'debunkers' will tell their clients to 'redirect' the AGGRESSIVE dog with food, clickers, lots of babbling, lots of body language, and lots of unnecessary and nagging work. These methods may seem to work at the time of the training session, but do they REALLY change a dog's outlook on other dogs, people or situations?

If you have an aggressive or behaviorally challenged dog, how many trainers have you worked with so far? Canine Psychology Center feels that rehabilitation is extremely simple and we have plenty of references available!

With all of that said, thousands of desperate dog owners who will NOT euthanize or give away their dangerously aggressive dog still need somewhere to go for help! Please contact Canine Psychology Center!