Pet To Pal Podcast · October 26, 2026 · 28 min

What Happens in the First 72 Hours With an Aggressive Dog?

Can aggressive dogs be rehabilitated? And what can protection training teach us about canine behaviour? On this episode of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matt Maltese sits down with Yunus of Apex Canine Canada to discuss working with reactive dogs, serious aggression cases, and dogs considered “unfixable.” We explore the importance of trust during the early stages of behaviour modification, what the first 72 hours with a new dog can look like, and why some dogs need time to decompress before training can progress. Yunus also explains how understanding canine drive through bite work and protection training can influence the way trainers approach behavioural cases. We discuss realistic expectations for board-and-train programs, transferring results into the home, and helping owners maintain long-term progress. Beyond training, we talk about building Apex Canine Canada, running a professional training facility, learning from mentors, dealing with online criticism, overcoming imposter syndrome, and scaling a business without sacrificing quality. In this episode: Working with reactive and aggressive dogs Fear, confidence, drive, and canine behaviour The first 72 hours of a board-and-train program Bite work and its potential applications in behaviour training Owner education, structure, and long-term management Building a dog training business and developing a team Follow Apex Canine Canada on Instagram: @apex.canine.canada Hosted by Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training, Toronto, Ontario. Follow the Pet To Pal Podcast for more conversations about dog training, behaviour modification, and the canine industry.