Dog Behavior Consultation

• Anxious and/or Fearful?
• Aggressive?
• Easily Overstimulated?

Are you experiencing life changes?

• Expecting, have a new baby, or baby is now crawling or walking?
• Adding a new dog with small kids or other pets?
• Unsure how to manage kids and dogs together?
• Combining households with other pets who may not get along?

Our expert Dog Behavior Consultants are here to help you!

We have proven success with all types of behavior that is rooted in fear and aggression. Whether your dog is biting due to fear or territorial aggression, panics in certain situations, barks at every noise, or is out of control with new people or pets - we have the skills needed to help you and your dog. We work with specialized veterinarians who focus on vet behavior and can partner with your dog’s veterinarian to best help your dog.

What do your services include?

• Customized, individual services either in-person or virtually, to see your dog’s behavior where it’s happening
• Expertise to quickly identify what is driving your dog’s behavior
• Clear recommendations on how to improve your dog’s behavior
• Set you and your dog up for success with management and environmental changes
• Change how your dog feels about upsetting, scary or overwhelming situations
• Train your dog what to do instead of the unwanted behavior
• Follow-up support and optional additional services to help you succeed

• Yes. Aggressive behavior can be a result of fear or territorial aggression/guarding of what the dog feels is “theirs”.  We’ll create a plan to keep everyone safe while improving the behavior through a variety of specific recommendations. And we’ll teach you how to  train what you’d like your dog to do instead. Biting when handled; aggression toward people or other pets; resource guarding food, locations, or people; reactive aggression on leash or at windows; fence fighting neighbor dogs – these are all common problems we have experience and success with.

• We use well researched and proven methods that help your dog learn to relax and feel better about the things and situations that are frightening them. You will learn how to read your dog’s body language to understand how they are feeling, and how to set your dog up to succeed. We’ll train you in a scientific process called counter-conditioning so you can slowly change the association your dog has with scary things. And we’ll show you training exercises to help teach your dog go-to behaviors to use when things get scary so they feel more confident. Separation anxiety, car fear, noise phobia, stranger danger, generalized fear and anxiety – we have the expertise to help.

• Research in animal behavior science shows that the best results and most humane techniques involve positive reinforcement, and never physical punishment or intimidation. We adhere to the principle of using the least invasive, minimally aversive (LIMA) methods required while avoiding physical punishment. Think about it. How do you like to learn – with clear expectations and encouragement, or punishment when you don’t understand and make a mistake? Feeling safe and having a good connection with the people closest to you is key. That’s why we focus on helping dogs feel safe and by rewarding behavior you like. See our training philosophy and values.

• At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the rest of the world, we pivoted quickly to virtual meetings. An amazing thing happened – fearful and aggressive dogs weren’t upset by the presence of a stranger in their home. Clients were able to focus on learning instead of worrying about how their dog was reacting to the consultant. Clients and their dogs were able to learn what to do and how to do it with the help and support of a virtual trainer. Throughout our industry, it is now accepted that virtual services have big advantages for aggressive, fearful, and anxious dogs. If your dog isn’t upset by new people in the home, or you prefer an in-person service and are in our service area, we’re happy to provide that. Starting virtually and switching to in-person services once some foundations are in place can also be extremely helpful. And because in-person services add a travel fee, virtual appointments are more cost effective.

• We know that one size does not fit all, and offer three levels of Behavior Consultation. We can help you decide which level of service fits your needs and your budget. Email support is built into each level of service. Optional follow-up appointments are also available individually or in packages.

• Aggression toward humans, dogs and other animals in the home
• Fear or aggression with handling for grooming or vet care
• Reactivity, fear, or aggression when on leash, at fences, or windows
• Household destruction, chewing, or digging
• Dog-dog or dog-cat relationship issues
• Territorial aggression and resource guarding
• Separation anxiety and alone training
• Fear of noises, car rides, strangers
• Excessive barking
• Obsessive-compulsive disorders