Frequently Asked Questions
Program Questions
Which Track should I choose?
You can see a direct comparison of the Coaching Track and Pro Daytrain Track here.
How much does it cost?
For a full cost breakdown, see Service Area & Pricing.
I have two or more reactive dogs. Can this program work?
Reactivity training typically needs to start with one dog at a time. Later in their training, it is important to bring all dogs together. This is important even if your other dogs aren't reactive at all!
If multiple dogs are reactive, each dog may need the full program. It also is common that the reactivity is stemming from one dog, and the other dogs react to that. In that situation, one program where we start with the originator works well.
If you'd like to chat about that with your specific dogs, please either email me or schedule a phone call.
How do I get started?
Fill out the Intake Form here.
I process your form in 2-3 days and contact you with any questions I have. I want to make sure this program is a good fit for you and your dog!
I then send you a link to schedule and purchase your Intro Lesson. During the Intro Lesson, I discuss the scheduling of the Coaching or Pro Daytrain Track. You do need to complete the Intro Lesson before the term you want to enroll in. (For the Spring 2026 Term, this means before May 7)
Is this program for my dog?
If your dog has specific triggers they over-react to, this program is likely for you. It is ok if they are overly excited or show aggressive behaviors. It also is ok if they react to many triggers, or only some specific ones. It's also fine if you're not quite certain what those triggers are yet.
Because reactivity is so broad, it's easier to list a few things that this program is not designed for:
Strong aggression towards people. If your dog has a bite history against people, this is not the program for your dog. If your dog barks or lunges at new people but will then open up, the coaching track may be appropriate. Please contact me! (If the bite history is with something specific, like when injured, this may be fine.)
Reaction to prey animals. While often inappropriate in the pet environment, prey drive isn't over-reacting. It needs a different approach.
Conflict between pets in the same home
Conflict between the dog and a human in the home
Noise sensitivity. Noise sensitivity is when a dog is hypervigilant and reacts to most acute or new noises. Reacting to noises associated with triggers isn't noise sensitivity. That behavior would be a match with the program
Extreme fear/lack of confidence - this needs a different approach than this program
Only resource guarding. (Resource guarding is showing aggressive behaviors to keep possession of something of value.) If your dog has resource guarding tendencies, that is typically fine. The program is not designed to target resource guarding, but can work with mild cases.
Triggers that cannot be reproduced. A key component of this program is gradual increasing of the intensity of your dog's triggers. We can get creative! But if there is a hyper-specific trigger that your dog reacts to, it may not be a good fit.
Please contact me with specific questions
Scheduling Questions
Why do you schedule in "terms" and what is a term?
Think of each term like a semester at school. Everyone's tracks begin the same week. This streamlines my schedule, and ensures your dog's training is consistent. Once you begin, training is regular.
Intro Lessons are not constricted to the term schedule. This means you may be able to schedule your Intro Lesson and then have to wait for the next term to begin. I have designed the Intro Lesson to still be helpful and effective. Between the Intro Lesson and the Coaching or Pro Daytrain track, I am available for questions.
To see the dates of the 2026 Terms, click here.
We'll be gone for a week during a term. Is that ok?
I can generally accommodate some schedule changes. Any more than a week and it might be best to schedule for a different term. Please contact me to talk about that scheduling.
If you will be gone and your dog will be in boarding, I do not suggest continuing daytraining at that time. Boarding is generally very stressful for dogs and stress isn't great for learning!
What is a "mini track" and what makes the July and August Terms "mini terms"?
"Mini tracks" are three weeks long instead of 6. I offer the shorter tracks all terms. This offers some flexibility and a lower cost option. In my experience, three weeks is just enough to get the basics down of reactivity training. Then, you can continue training your dog independently.
The July and August Terms are mini to ease summer scheduling conflicts (both mine and yours!) If you would like to begin a full length track in July, you can continue into August, with a short break between.
Training Questions
Do you offer other training or just reactivity training?
Right now I am focused on reactivity training.
What's your training philosophy? Do you use e-collars and/or prong collars?
I am a LIMA (Least Invasive, Minimally Aversive) trainer. Some other training philosophy labels that likely fit me are "Force-Free" or "Purely Positive" (although that really is a misnomer!).
For a full discussion of what that means to me, and what that will look like in training plans, you can click here.
I do not include e-collars and/or prong collars or similar in my training plans. If you're currently using that equipment, that is ok! My goal will always be to phase out intentionally aversive equipment. Depending on the dog and the situation, it might not be my first priority. I take my cues from the dog and what is most critical to work on.
What training exercises will we learn?
The exercises and games you learn will depend on what works for you and your dog. Typical exercises and games are:
Desensitization and counter-conditioning, starting with low level triggers
More appropriate alternative behaviors that still meet your dog's needs
Pattern Games to build confidence and communication between you and your dog
Leash techniques and handling that reduce frustration
Games to teach arousal/excitement regulation
Exercises to teach recovery after large amount of excitement
Consent behaviors that allow your dog to communicate if they are ready
Play techniques that can help reduce frustration, and change your dog's emotional state
Management techniques for when your dog does react
Exercises to encourage your dog to read the dog body language and de-escalate their own
What is reactivity?
Reactivity doesn't have a universal definition, so here's mine:
A reactive dog has bigger responses than typical to specific triggers. These responses are detrimental to the dog's life.
Reactivity, while often used as a synonym for aggression, isn't always aggressive. Reactive dogs can show excitement, nervousness, anxiety, and/or aggression. Reactivity can look like a dog baring their teeth and growling when seeing another dog. Reactivity can also look like a dog jumping up, spinning, whining, and pulling hard when they see a person. The key is that the reaction is too much and creates stress in your dog's life, and yours!