Aggression/Reactivity

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that.”
Martin Luther King

Or another way to look at it: “Using aversives to “fix” aggression or reactivity is like trying to put out a fire with a bucket of gas.”

Depending on your situation, an Initial Consultation may be available $150.00 for one hour. A $25.00 non-refundable deposit is required to book your appointment.

Privates (aggression/reactivity).
All dogs MUST start out with a minimum of 6 one hour, once a week privates with me. The first week is always without the dog. The remaining 5, one hour lessons are with you and the dog. You will receive a 27 page handout. During those 6 weeks you will:

  • Establishing foundation behaviors,
  • Learning to shape new behaviors,
  • Reading your dog’s body language properly,
  • Learning to interpret your environment, quickly and effectively,
  • Teaching you to set up safe and successful sessions,
  • Erecting a line of communication from both sides of the leash,
  • Learning how to properly set, raise or lower criteria,
  • Teaching you to be a more effective trainer overall,
  • Applying the counterconditioning and desensitization process properly
  • Understanding the causes of aggression, including the human factors
  • Breaking down behaviors into small approximations, always setting the dog up for success.
  • Staying focused and concentrating under pressure.
  • Turning off the environment and tuning into your dog.
  • Learning positive training techniques and foundation behaviors.

Privates are NOT for desensitization with other dogs or people (other than me of course). The owner will be expected to carry out the plan at home.
The first week is without your dog, the remaining 5 weeks are with your dog.

Cost:  $675.00 for the package, paid in full on the first week. A $25.00 non-refundable fee must be paid up front to hold your spot, which will then be deducted from the package price, when you come for your first lesson. There are no refunds once your lessons start and this includes week 1 without the dog.

If after the 6 weeks, we both decide that you and your dog need more training, the cost for the following 6 weeks will be $650.00 (all with your dog). At the end of the first set of 6 weeks, we’ll also reevaluate where you and your dog are at, as a team. We may then decide that an additional set of 3 weeks will also work. The cost for the 3 week package is $325.00. Either way is fine with me – I try to be as flexible as possible for you and your dog’s needs.

Zoom Rocks! I wanted to share this video, showing those of you that don’t live close, how well Zoom does in fact work for behavior issues. This dog and handler went through 6 weeks of working in the house, building those foundation behaviors in their home and this was our first foray into the real world (in this case, France!) I only cut a few parts that weren’t important – loading up treats, walking down stairs and talking about scheduling our next lesson. I hope you enjoy it and know that I truly don’t need to be there for you in person – Zoom works great – and you get to keep the recording to rewatch!

Refund Policy: There are no refunds once your lessons start. (This includes the first lesson) If you are unsure if positive training is right for you, please come and observe a class first. You have up to six months to use the lessons. Cancellation Policy: I’ll need 48 hours notice if you need to cancel a lesson, otherwise that lesson will be forfeit.

When availableR.E.W.A.R.D. Zone (Growl Class) – Six Week Increments
Class for aggressive or reactive dogs. 6 week increments, all classes with the dogs. Morning sessions from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m on Tuesdays (Tuesdays only when available) & Sundays. Prerequisite: minimum of 6 privates with me. See above.
Cost: $300.00

There are no more than five dogs in a class. In the beginning there are no more than one or two dogs out at a time. We will rotate dogs in small, short, successful sessions, always gradually building their tolerance and acceptance of their fearful object(s). We will help each other to be successful and glory in the successes of others.

To better understand the process, read the form below titled “print this” (“Reactive/Aggressive Dog Protocol”) before signing up for privates.

AGGRESSION IS JUST A BEHAVIOR AND BEHAVIOR IS MODIFIABLE.

This is NOT about muzzling the dogs, throwing them into a room together to “let them work it out.” Classes are set up so that the dogs do NOT “pop” off, do NOT aggress, do not bite. Everyone is as safe as humanly possible, everyone is calm. If your dog’s initial threshold for remaining calm is being 10 acres away, so be it! That is where we will start!

This program is all about setting the dog up to be successful, calm and focused on the handler. It is all about desensitizing and counter conditioning your dog to their own personal “provoking stimuli.”

NOTE for R.E.W.A.R.D. Zone (Growl class) Privates: Print these 3 forms:

1. AggressiveReactiveDogProtocol form, then

2. RegistrationForm (please be sure to read all 3 pages and sign and initial where indicated in red), and

3.  ChecklistAggression:reactivityand bring all three with you to the first private lesson. 

To hear Pam on DogCast radio, talking about aggression, click here

Here’s another radio show, in 2016. Click here to listen!

Pam on the PPG World Services radio show (with Drayton Michaels – I’m the 2nd speaker) – click here