Understanding Behavioral Therapy
Over the last twenty years, I have been blessed by the companionship of dogs. The one thing that remains true is each dog has its own distinct personality, just as you have yours and I have mine. With this in mind, let’s begin…
My Behavioral Modification Therapy experience developed over a twenty year span while volunteering at the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), having my own pack of six, and serving the hundreds of dogs I have helped rehabilitate. Abandoned, physically or verbally abused, pre/post-surgery dogs all have one thing in common: the stress induced into their lives leads them to live in fear. By using massage, I developed a special technique revolving around sensitive touch that serves as a method to reduce stress. In calming the dog down, he or she becomes open and receptive to a personalized Behavioral Modification Therapy plan.
Ultimately, the most important training in behavioral modification is for the owner, who needs to understand and adapt to their dog’s distinct personality. All too often, dog owners confuse loving their dogs with letting their dogs behave any way they choose. Loving your dog includes consistent training so he or she behaves appropriately and safely in the world of humans. This will create a more peaceful existence for the dog and human, leading to a more HEALTHY, HAPPY, LOVING dog.
Joseph Rivera, founder and owner of Angels on Four, developed this technique while working with the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) as a volunteer dealing primarily with unruly dogs from breeds such as Pit Bull, Rottweiler, and German Shepherd. These so-called "bully breeds" need special support and training in the behavior modification regimen, and Angels on Four provides this support through gentle and sensitive touch. Especially after injury or surgery, a dog is more defensive and stressed, So calming the animal down through sensitive touch helps to bring the stress level down so that the dog can calmly behave in a less destructive manner.