Leash reactivity is one of the most common and most frustrating behavior problems for dog owners.
One of the main challenges that prevents progress is that owners need to learn new training exercises and handling skills to be able to productively work with their dogs. Learning and becoming proficient in new skills takes time and and practice with an easy dog. Learning new skills with a difficult reactive dog can be almost impossible.
We can help you overcome this challenge by offering hands on training and exercise to get your dog out for positive, productive training and experience immediately while you practice basic foundation skills where it is safe.
As your dog’s behavior improves with our hands on training work and your handling and training skill improves, we gradually transition to controlled training setups and chaperoned public training practice until you are able to confidently continue managing and training your dog in public.
Owner Training Topics and Exercises
- Safety, management & avoidance, body language and thresholds, and gear (harnesses, head collars, gates, crates, muzzles, etc.)
- Mark and reward method, capturing behavior, feeding routines, and in-home enrichment.
- Leash handling skills, leash pressure, easy on leash, following
- Find it, Sit, Touch, and U-turn
- Sit-stay and Down-stay with distractions
- Settle/relaxation
Dog’s Training Exercises
- Desensitization at a distance with environmental reinforcement
- Engage-Disengage
- Mark and Move
Commitment
We recommend starting with a commitment of one private owner training session and at least one hands on training session per week. We can offer support for up to 5 sessions per week per client – an alternative to board and train programs.
The time it takes to achieve results varies – every dog and owner situation is different. Some mild cases may improve in just a few sessions. Extreme cases may take months of focused training and may require special handling and attention for life.
We recommend at least 6 weeks to complete the basic owner training plus an additional 2 weeks of chaperoned practice. Owners who already have some training experience may progress faster and some owners may require or prefer ongoing weekly or bi-weekly training practice. We can tailor the training program to best meet your personal schedule, budget, and your dog’s activity level and behavior.
Location
We prefer to work in public parks where we there is enough activity to train with and safe space to work at productive distances. Spring Canyon park in Fort Collins and Mehaffey park in Loveland are our top choices for the best training environment. For some severe cases, we may start training at your home location and may need to find less stressful locations before transitioning to busier parks.
For solo hands on sessions, owners will be responsible for dropping off and picking up unless we are able to schedule additional time to pick up and transport your dog.
Rates
We offer a discount rate of $75 per session for 2 sessions per week with additional discounts for up to 5 sessions per week. We recommend making a commitment of 8 weeks to complete basic training and transition practice but we do not require any long term commitment.
This program is suitable for reactivity to other dogs but may apply to dogs who are reactive to other animals or vehicles. If your dog is reactive to strangers or is reactive to handling, we can provide private owner training and coaching but may not be able to handle your dog for solo training sessions.
Contact us for a free phone consultation to find out if our reactive dog training program is a good fit for you and your dog.
