Does your dog bark, pull, or growl at other dogs or people? Do certain sights or sounds trigger anxious or aggressive displays? Our Reactivity Rehabilitation program is designed to help you and your dog overcome these challenges and build a foundation of trust and confidence.
This specialized program addresses the root causes of reactivity, providing you with the knowledge and skills to manage and modify your dog's behavior. We'll work together to create a customized training plan that considers your dog's threshold for individual triggers and reinforcement.
What is Reactivity?
Reactivity in dogs is an overreaction to certain stimuli, often rooted in fear, anxiety, or frustration. This can manifest in various behaviors, such as:
- Barking and Pulling: Excessive barking, growling, or lunging towards people or other dogs.
- Anxiety and Fear: Displaying signs of stress, such as panting, pacing, trembling, or hiding.
- Aggressive Displays: Early Signs of Aggression: These can include behaviors like growling, snapping, lunging, or stiffening of the body. While these behaviors may not always lead to a bite, they are important warning signs that your dog is feeling uncomfortable or threatened and needs help learning more appropriate ways to communicate.
Our Approach:
Our Reactivity Rehabilitation program combines a comprehensive approach that focuses on:
- Understanding Your Dog: We'll conduct a thorough assessment to identify your dog's specific triggers and type of reinforcement. We will work to understand the underlying causes of their reactivity.
- Behavior Modification: We'll implement proven techniques to desensitize your dog to their triggers and teach them alternative, more appropriate responses.
- Building Confidence: We'll focus on building your dog's confidence and impulse control by utilizing a reward based training program that incorporates clear communication, consistent expectations, and accountability. This approach helps dogs understand the expectations and make good choices, leading to increased confidence and a sense of security in their environment
- Owner Education: We'll empower you with the knowledge and skills to manage your dog's reactivity in various situations and reduce future incidents.
Skills Developed:
- Decreased Likelihood of reactivity: We'll work to reduce your dog's reactive tendencies towards people and other dogs, promoting safe interactions.
- Maintained Obedience with Distractions: We'll help your dog maintain focus and obedience even in the presence of environmental and social distractions.
- Impulse Control: We'll teach your dog to control their impulses and make better choices, even when faced with triggering stimuli.
- Enhanced Communication: We'll strengthen the bond between you and your dog by fostering clear communication and mutual understanding.
Benefits:
- Reduced Stress: Create a calmer and more relaxed environment for both you and your dog.
- Increased Freedom: Enjoy greater freedom and flexibility in your daily activities.
- Improved Socialization: Confidently navigate social situations with a well-behaved dog.
- Enhanced Safety: Minimize the risk of aggressive incidents and promote responsible dog ownership.
- Stronger Bond: Develop a deeper connection with your dog based on trust and understanding.
Note: For dogs with any type of bite history, we recommend a consultation with a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to the aggression. Please be fully transparent if your dog has any type of bite history.
