behaviorist or trainer?? (to help dog that is nervous/aggressive with strange dogs)

I have a rescue dog that is very nervous of strange dogs and very aggressive towards them. Meeting family members dogs we had initial aggression but after about fifteen minutes was running around and playing with them. He also tries to escape every opportunity he gets, at the weekend he escaped from my parents garden and straight into next doors, a bit of a shock for their collie especially when my dog went straight for it's throat. Which would help me solve my problem easiest a dog trainer or a behaviourist? (both a bit thin on the ground in my immediate area!)

i would def go for a behaviourist!!! contact your vet and make sure they are registered with apbc, the dog trainers in my area are awful they have no understanding of dog behaviour when i got my dog he was a nightmare cos he was a trained guard dog and was trained to attack anybody who gave him attention! i taught him be on a house line on his bed and a great leave command aswell drumming people b4 they came in the house that they had to ignore the dog and that ignore meant !dont look,touch or speak to him!!!,your dog is so fearful you must makesure that you do not put it in a position were it feels threatened

Personally I would think that a combination should be sought. There has to be someone around that is doing training with behaviour modification incorporated into it.
Have you thought about sending your dog to a good training facility for a few weeks with the emphasis on solving this problem? or is that not an option? I know some people dont like the idea of their dogs going away for training....its just a thought though.

Angela Stockdale is in Minehead - she specialises in aggression

A search on the name will bring up her website and contact details

i would go to ur vet and ask to be referred. most good behaviourists will only work on veterinary referral.
I would also imagine a behaviourist will incorporate dog training into it, whereas a dog trainer isnt necessarily clued up on behaviour

I read this is not a good idea because they will learn to do whatever they have been trained to do for the person who trained them and where they were trained but not neccesarily do the same at home for you, as I said just what I heard and dont want to go off topic but may need to be considered if Juli was thinking of sending him to somewhere like this.

Hope you get this problem sorted and welldone you for giving a rescue dog a second chance!

Thanks for all advice given, have sent off a few enquiring e-mails and am just waiting for replies. He is such a loving dog with humans and loves his cuddles, i hate to see him react so badly to other dogs, it gives people such a negative view of him.

I have been to her.... would not ever go back

I agree with you in as much as it takes a lot of research in finding a good reputable facility. If the trainers/behaviourists are doing their job correctly though then there should be emphasis on the dog being worked through the major problems and then to ensure the owner has a full understanding on how to work with the dog and handle the situations that she comes across in everyday life....with follow ups and the owner being able to contact the trainer after the course has finished should there be any problems or concerns on the owners part.....any facility that does not cover all this is not doing the job properly....in my opinion.

It may be helpful as well to gain some knowledge as a back up.

There are some good books available although of course they don't offer a cure!

James O Heare's Canine Aggression Workbook
Click to Calm by Emma Parsons
Dogs are from Neptune by Jean Donaldson
Fight! by Jean Donaldson

The second book is interesting as it was written bysomeone who had an aggressive dog and it details some of what she went through. Some of the books may be a bit "behaviouristy" but if you are into that it won't put you off.

Something many owners find very helpful is TTouch