The Crisis of Unqualified Dog Trainers Treating Dog Aggression

For the audio version of these blog posts, tune into the USA Dog Behavior Podcast.

There’s an unspoken reality in the dog world when it comes to treating dogs with aggression issues toward dogs or even humans. It’s the problem of unqualified dog trainers taking on aggression cases they’re just not equipped to safely and properly handle.

The dog training industry is kind of like the Wild West. In most parts of the world, including the United States, literally anyone can call themselves a “dog trainer” or “behaviorist” without a lick of formal education or experience. One day someone is managing a coffee shop, and the next they’re charging $150 an hour to “fix” aggressive dogs with a shock collar in hand and a YouTube certification.

Now, don’t get me wrong—there are lots of talented dog trainers out there. In fact, some dog trainers absolutely can help with aggression cases, even if they don’t hold formal behavior credentials. But—and this is a big but—they need to:

1. Have significant, proven experience working specifically with aggressive dogs.
2. Possess a deep understanding of the behavioral science involved.
3. Never use aversive tools like shock collars, prong collars, leash jerks, or anything that relies on pain or intimidation.
4. Never use words like “dominance” or “correction” in their training materials or conversation.

The only methods that work long-term (and ethically) with aggressive dogs are those based on positive reinforcement, desensitization, and counterconditioning. These aren’t fancy buzzwords—they’re tried-and-true, science-backed approaches that help change how a dog feels, not just how they act. And when it comes to aggression, that emotional shift is the root cause of the behavior.

Dog aggression is not a beginner’s game. It’s complex. It’s dangerous. And it’s deeply misunderstood. Unfortunately, some trainers see aggression cases as a challenge, or worse, a way to make money. But without a foundation in canine behavioral science, their approach can make things much worse. I’ve worked with too many dogs who were made more anxious, more defensive—and yes, more dangerous—because someone with a nice website and a firm handshake promised they could “fix” them.

Here’s a red flag: if a trainer claims they can “cure” aggression, it’s time to walk away. That’s not how behavior modification works. Dogs aren’t broken vending machines that need a reset button. They’re complex beings with emotional and behavioral histories that can’t be overwritten by a shock collar or a stern voice in a week or two.

So how do you know if you’ve found the real deal, whether they call themselves a dog behaviorist or dog trainer?

Based on my experience—and backed up by years of working with aggression cases—there are three important overarching signs you’ve found someone effective:

1. They emphasize management and safety.

If a trainer doesn’t immediately talk about how to keep everyone safe—dogs, people, neighbors, delivery drivers—they’re not ready for this work. A qualified aggression specialist should be thinking in terms of risk management from day one. If your dog has a bite history, you need a trainer who’s going to discuss tools like muzzles (used humanely), gated spaces, and routines that prevent risky situations—not someone who jumps right into “obedience drills” with your dog.

2. They ask a lot of questions and develop a custom treatment plan for your dog.

Aggression doesn’t happen in a vacuum. A good behavior consultant will ask about your dog’s history, routines, health, triggers, environment, and more. If they seem to have a one-size-fits-all plan, especially one they’ve trademarked and printed on a flyer, it’s probably a red flag.

3. They do something other than teaching your dog, “sit, stay, down, and come.”

I’ve had countless clients tell me that the dog trainer they first saw about their dog’s aggression started to immediately work with their dog on obedience training. They tell me their dog already knew “sit, stay, down, come.” Behavioral issues like aggression aren’t “obedience” issues; they must be treated with specific behavior modification protocols.

Effective aggression treatment is part science, part art, and all about the individual dog. It’s not just about stopping a behavior—it’s about understanding where that behavior is coming from and helping the dog feel safer in the world.

Here’s the truth: You don’t treat aggression by dominating the dog into submission or scaring them into silence. You treat it by building trust, modifying behavior, and keeping everyone safe in the process.

So, dog owners:

Ask questions, lots of questions.
Listen to the words that dog trainers use when describing how they treat aggression.
Be skeptical of big promises and miracle cures.
Ask about the details of their treatment plan for your dog.

If your dog is showing signs of aggression, don’t wait. Aggression almost always gets worse over time for a number of reasons. Get help—but make sure it’s the right kind of help. The stakes are too high to trust your dog’s future—and the safety of other dogs and even humans—to someone who’s just making it up as they go.

For the audio version of these blog posts, tune into the USA Dog Behavior Podcast.