McDonald Canine Academy
Dogs have always been a major part of Aaron McDonald’s life, and he’s always found them to be excellent teachers. As a canine behavior specialist and pet owner, he has learned relationship skills, persistence, consistency, focus and how to be transparent and honest in communication. In return, Aaron has spent 14 years seeking to improve dog-human relationships through the company he co-owns with his brother Kevin McDonald.
At the McDonald Canine Academy, both dogs and humans are trained, rehabilitated and undergo behavior modification. Whether the McDonalds are training a dog for therapy, service, protection or family life, both the dog and owner are positively affected.
Aaron remembers counseling a client through the therapy program after her father was murdered. She suffered from professional and personal relationship problems. After training with a pit bull named Flower, she learned how to assert herself at work and to avoid allowing others to take advantage of her.
The program simultaneously provides cognitive therapy for the dog and psychosocial therapy for the human while improving the person’s social skills, self-worth and overall attitude.
The similarities between a dog and a human child, Aaron said, influence the way he approaches training. Both are in need of boundaries, guidance and structure. Without these, dogs can grow up to have emotional disorders similar to humans.
“Poor behavior is created; they’re not born this way,” Aaron said.
When Kevin and Aaron are called to adjust a dog’s behavior, the owner must also change the behaviors that trigger their pet’s actions. Kevin knows this from experience, having gone through training as a client before becoming a canine counselor.
“We don’t fix dogs; we train people,” Kevin said with a laugh.
Essentially, the McDonalds teach owners the concept of human parenting skills, especially consistency. Aaron said changes such as a divorce or marriage, constant moving or a pregnancy might trigger behavioral problems in their dog. When upsetting changes or inconsistencies occur, the relationship can still be salvaged with training and counseling.
Each weekly session takes approximately one hour, and Aaron said about 98 percent of the McDonalds’ clients are successful in their program.
“I enjoy empowering people and saving their relationships with their dogs,” he said.
Dog training tips
• Do not wait until problems get out of hand to seek assistance.
• Be consistent in guidance; you are the solution to the problem.
• Have boundaries and don’t let your dog run your household or life.
• Teach right from wrong and how to make good decisions.
• Do not give in to every whim; learn the difference between wants and needs.
• Regulate food and water.
Many people might not recognize when their dog has a behavior problem. Take preventative measures early on if you notice some of these common symptoms: excitability, nipping, pulling, jumping, aggression, destructiveness, canine stress, housebreaking and anxiety.