Reactivity & Aggression Packages
Scheduling for June - in person and virtual options
Photo by Jenn Feagles Photography
What does it look like? Behaviors associated with aggression are varied and can present in a number of ways including barking, growling, lunging, snarling, snapping, biting and more. While these behaviors can be scary to see, there are a lot of things we can do to help your dog. Aggression is not a personality trait, but rather it is behavior(s) a dog may exhibit when in specific situations or environmental contexts, often due to stress about a concern or threat involving a person, dog or other stimulus.
What will we do? In order to treat behaviors associated with reactivity or aggression, we first have to identify WHY the behavior is occurring, and treat the underlying root cause(s), not just the symptoms. This typically requires detailed discussions about your dog including your past and present observations, your dog’s medical and behaviorial history and more. We’ll even discuss how genetics and how where your dog came from can impact behavior in the short and long term.
Once we identify the cause(s) of your dog’s behavior, we will develop a detailed Safety & Managment Plan and then a reward-based Behavior Change Training Plan. Behavior Change Plans are tailored to each individual dog and family, and focus on addressing and treating the root cause(s) of the behavior, concentrating on management, and training and reinforcing desired behaviors.
How long will it take? The recommended Behavior Change Plan depends on a variety of factors including how long the behavior has presented, the severity of the behavior (including bite history), early learning history, your lifestyle and preferences, how much time you can dedicate to your dog’s treatment plan and more. All dogs are individuals and progress at their own pace, but some general recommendations and timeframes are listed below for getting started. Please choose a package from the drop down menu below or contact me if you are unsure of where to begin or have questions before getting started.
4-6 sessions - For dogs exhibiting mild behavior in response to a single stimulus, dogs with lower level bites or no bite history, young dogs, when the behavior is easily predicted and/or when the family is experienced in treating fear, aggression or anxiety using reward based methods and equipment.
8-10 sessions - *These larger packages are discounted. For dogs exhibiting moderate to extreme behavior in response to one or more stimuli, dogs who have caused injury to other dogs or people, older dogs, when the behavior is harder to predict or when the family is inexperienced. Larger packages are typically recommended for conflict within multi-dog households, resource guarding and for any aggression in a home with children.
All training packages include:
Supplemental materials including written treatment plans and recommendations, how-to documents with step-by-step instructions, tip sheets, demonstration videos and more.
Unlimited email/text communications throughout your training package.
Feedback and coaching on video submissions.
Motivational and emotional support throughout your training package. While much of my education is for dogs, I also really love humans and will be with you every step of the way. I know how hard this can be and have been there myself!
Please contact me if you are unsure of where to begin or have questions before getting started. Full payment is required in order to hold your session dates.
