Turning Fierce Dogs Friendly: Using Constructional Aggression Treatment to Rehabilitate Aggressive and Reactive Dogs

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 

Kellie Snider conducted the Constructional Aggression Treatment (CAT) research as her MS thesis under the direction of Jesús Rosales-Ruiz, PhD. at the University of North Texas. CAT has been featured in seminars across the US, Canada and in England. A best-selling DVD on CAT was sold in 9 countries.