• Reactive Dog Class •

Reactive Dog Class: Help for Your Feisty Fido

Upcoming Classes:

Wednesday, January 25, 2012.
(This 6-week class ends March 14th. No class Feb. 22 and March 7)

Choose a time:
Session A: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Register! (Only auditing spots are left)
Session B: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Register! (Only auditing spots are left)

Important Scheduling Info:
-- The first night of class is a seminar from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for both groups and is for humans particpants only (no dogs this class).

-- The final night of class is at 7 p.m. for both groups. This class, for all humans and dogs, will be held off-site.

Class Size: Limited to 7 dogs per class so don't wait to register.

Seminar Only:
You may register to attend just the seminar that is given on the first night of class from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (This seminar is included with registrations for working or auditing spots.) You will learn about reasons for reactivity, gain a better understanding of your dog's body language so you will have critical information about his emotional state of mind, and be introduced to some of the tools and techniques we will use to manage your dog's reactivity. Register Now

Audit Only:
You may register to attend without your dog and just observe. This also includes the first night's seminar. Register Now

See below for fees and instructor information.

What is a Reactive Dog?

Reactive dogs are not hard to spot. These feisty fidos may lunge at people or dogs that get too close. They may also bark loudly, and/or growl and some may even try to bite anyone foolish enough to get close. In the home, the reactive dog can appear threatening to visitors as he or she jumps, barks and stares. Reactive dogs tend to stress out their embarrassed owners as these owners try to keep visitors and passersby safe from their intimidating or noisy best friend. This aggression is fear based and this behavior is called reactivity. On the other end of the spectrum is the dog that's too afraid to go anywhere and will hide, tremble, or whine. If your dog can't calm down within a few seconds, he or she is probably a reactive dog.

There is no longer a need to feel lost or confused when your dog becomes reactive. This very special class will help you change or manage your dog that overreacts in new situations or with new people or other dogs. Your feisty Fido will learn how to feel more confident and comfortable in different situation and around other dogs. You will have new skills to utilize in these once-stressful situations so you will realize that you can relax as well since you will know what to do and how to avoid or manage the triggers that were once unpredictable. You will learn to read your dog and communicate on a different level.

In the Reactive Dog class you will:

• Acquire the tools you need to understand and handle your dog with confidence.

• Learn what your reactive dog is doing, why he's doing it, and how to change it.

• Teach your dog to relax and trust and overcome fear and anxiety, the root of his or her reactivity.

• Develop a better working relationship with your dog.

• Learn how to decrease the stress in your dog and teach him or her confidence and focus. With decreased stress real learning can begin.

• Learn calming and management techniques, coping responses, and emergency escape exercises.

Come work with your dog in a controlled, supportive environment with a small group of dog owners who understand your issues because they share them. In class, the dogs will be separated from each other by the use of visual barriers. Slowly, as you gain skills and your dog gains confidence and starts to shed fears, the individual dogs will begin to work together from a decreasing distance. The counter-conditioning and desensitization training and handling techniques are personalized for each dog's emotional readiness and needs.

The Reactive Dog class is initially held indoors. As the dogs and owners gain skills we move to a secure, fenced area outside and finally graduate to a more real-life environment.

This is a 6-week class. The initial class is for owners only (no dogs). Sign up for a working spot or just audit (observe) the class.

Top two images below: Dogs initially work behind visual barriers and then come out with supervision and instruction, and to practice new skills..
Bottom image: Graduation night. The dogs are comfortable being near one another and walking together in a real-life situation.

 

Instructor: Dr. Lisa Radosta, board certified veterinary behaviorist.

Assistant Instructor: Mindy Cox, B.S., CPDT-KA

Course fee (for full 6 weeks) per dog or auditor:
Working spot with dog: $195 for 6-week class.
Fee to audit (without dog): $125.
Fee for 2-hour seminar only (included with full 6-week registration): $45

CLICK HERE to find out what to bring to the Reactive Dog class.

CLICK HERE for the Behavior Questionnaire. After you register you will need to return this to us as soon as possible.

Secure Online Registration

Printable Mail-In / Fax Registration (online is preferred)