Reactive Dog Solutions | 4 Group and 4 Practice Sessions
Reactive Dog Solutions Program Overview
Cost: $360
Duration: 8 sessions
Structure:
4 Group Lessons (No Dogs Present): Learn the strategies and tools to understand and manage your dog’s reactivity.
4 Practice Sessions (With Your Dog): Individual sessions tailored to apply skills learned in group lessons in real-life situations.
Curriculum Details for Reactive Dog Solutions
Group Lessons (No Dogs Present)
Understanding Reactivity:
Explore potential sources of reactivity—whether known or best-guessed.
Learn to identify triggers and recognize early signs that your dog is stressed or uncomfortable.
Understand what it means for your dog to be “under threshold” (calm enough to learn).
Helping Your Dog Feel Better About Triggers:
Teach your dog that scary or overwhelming things predict good stuff (like tasty treats).
Practice pairing the sight of a trigger with food to create positive associations.
Building Communication Skills:
Learn how to use simple words or cues to help your dog understand that they’re safe.
Work on showing your dog that they can look at you for guidance and get rewarded when they stay calm.
Relaxation Techniques:
Discover different ways to help your dog learn to relax and self-soothe.
Practice techniques that encourage calmness, such as mat training or controlled breathing exercises.
Use these methods to create a foundation of calm behavior in everyday situations.
Creating a Plan for Success:
Put all the pieces together to help your dog navigate triggers in daily life.
Develop tools to keep your dog calm and feeling secure.
Discuss when consulting your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist may be helpful if additional support is needed.
Practice Sessions (With Your Dog) in the Enrichment Center
Held individually to create a safe, distraction-free environment for your dog.
Focused on:
Helping your dog associate triggers with positive outcomes (like food or play).
Encouraging your dog to look back at you when they see something that used to upset them.
Gradually working with triggers at a distance or intensity your dog can handle.
Applying relaxation techniques to help your dog stay calm in real-world scenarios.
Key Takeaways from Reactive Dog Solutions
Understand why your dog reacts to certain things.
Use positive reinforcement (like treats) to help your dog feel better about their triggers.
Teach your dog to trust you and look to you when they’re uncertain.
Gain tools and confidence to navigate challenging situations with your dog.
Learn relaxation and self-soothing techniques to build calm behavior over time.
Additional Resources for Reactive Dog Solutions
Meet Terra Ruiz, your Licensed Family Dog Mediator and Canine Relationship Coach, who will guide you through this journey.
Many of the methods used are inspired by TBTE methods, which focus on understanding and meeting your dog’s individual needs.
Learn more about your dog and their unique behavior through the Family Dog Mediation program, incorporated into this training series.
