Reactive Dog Program
Beyond just obedience - Behavior Training for real change of how your dog feels about other dogs
When out on a walk and you see another dog approaching, do you tense up - knowing that your dog is about to lose it? If barking, lunging, spinning and refusing to acknowledge your existence is your dog’s reaction- you’re not alone! These dogs are reactive. While typically not outright aggressive to all other dogs, on-leash anxiety or frustration can cause an uncontrollable situation.
This program is designed for you and your dog - you’ll both be students. You’ll learn management skills to get out of difficult situations, and the training skills for long-term behavioral change. The dogs will have the opportunity to practice calm responses to other dogs in carefully controlled situations. We will help your dog learn self-control, focus and that other dogs predict good things.
Our training includes both behavior modification and obedience skills. They key to lasting change is helping your dog learn to feel better about seeing other dogs. We’ll use a mix of food rewards, praise, games and other social interaction to build better associations. Then we can use seeing other dogs as the start of a game - to check in for a reward each time your pup sees a dog!
Shifting what other dogs mean to something neutral or a cue to check in with you means you no longer have to run the other way and hide on walks. The obedience skills we teach in the program are to help with communication and navigating our human world - not to mask or cover up how your dog is feeling around other dogs. We’re looking for deeper change so your dog can feel relaxed and confidant out in the world with you.
Our in person lessons will include practice around calm, neutral dogs at a comfortable distance.
Heather Ross, CPDT-KA, CCBC-KA
From looking calmly…
…to choosing to look away
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$850 Includes five 1 hour in person sessions, email support as much as needed throughout, access to the full online course, and a written summary of skills/homework from each session.
Our first lesson will focus on foundation skills and marker words.
At our second lesson, we’ll practice seeing one of my non-reactive at a comfortable, controlled distance so you can both learn how to work together.
Our third lesson is usually at a local park to practice your new behavior modification skills in the ‘real world’
Our training together isn’t just during our lessons together. Sending videos of your practice at home, asking questions, sending updates, all help me as your coach guide you and make steady progress. This support is unlimited, and is the best way to learn how to be your dog’s guide for a calmer walk together.
Ideally we schedule each meeting about 1-2 weeks apart. Plan on about 2-3 months to learn the program. This doesn’t mean your dog will be perfect in that time - but that you’ll have a great tool box and understanding of how to help your dog navigate the world with you.
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$850 Includes three 1 hour in person sessions, four Zoom lessons, email/text support as much as needed throughout, access to full online course, and a written summary of skills/homework from each session.
We’ll start with an online meeting where I can learn more about your goals and your dog’s individual needs and begin training with the key foundation skills we’ll be building from.
Our next lesson will be at our private training location in Ben Lomond. We will practice each step together at a comfortable, controlled distance to one of my non-reactive dogs so you can both learn how to work together.
At our second lesson, we’ll meet out in the ‘real world’ to practice putting everything together.
Each lesson together we’ll be adding new training skills to build towards our goals. Since every dog is different, the specific training program is always tailored to exactly what your dog needs. We’ll be covering marker words, counter conditioning, engagement, loose leash walking, training games, recall, leash/long line handling and more.
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$450 Includes five 50min Zoom training sessions, email/text support as much as needed throughout, access to the full online course, and custom training summaries after each lesson.
What you’ll learn
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We’ll use marker words to build a common language together for clear training. You’ll learn to read your dog’s body language and cues for how they’re feeling to help them when they need it.
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With behavior modification training we’ll change what other dogs mean. Instead of being a trigger that causes fear and/or frustration to your dog, we can teach they that predicts good things coming from you!
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How to look away from other dogs. Dogs become a cue to Check In with you
Program FAQ
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Yes! The training we use helps dogs who are reactive based in fear, and frustration. Both are a type of overarousal, and based in uncomfortable emotions. With behavior modification training we can change those associations and build a better, calmer emotional response.
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Yes. We use lots of food, fun and play to reward our dogs and teach them new skillsets. Our training is motivation based.
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Not exactly - your reactive pup may need some support from you to navigate our human world that isn’t set up well for dog/dog interactions.
Some dogs prefer to have some personal space (just like us!) - we can teach them that they are safe and can stay calm and focused around other dogs outside of that bubble, and we can decrease the size of that bubble.
Our goal is for you and your dog to be able to venture out on walks, hikes and adventures together.
Let’s get started!
Note: Please get in touch to schedule our first lesson together before purchasing the In Person or Hybrid training program.