Behavior Modification
We have experience successfully treating many common behavioral problems including aggression directed at other animals or people, fearful, shy, reactive or nervous dogs, dogs who guard objects, food, or humans, and dogs with separation distress or anxiety. Training typically involves a combination of behavior modification protocols for pets, and management changes for owners. You can expect some behaviors to be modified quickly and others to take many weeks or months.
Marge Rogers, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA is the only trainer in the area certified through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in behavior modification. Helping your dog overcome fear, aggression, anxiety and other behavioral issues requires different skills than teaching him to sit, come, and walk on a leash. It’s important to understand why your dog is behaving the way he is so we can work to modify his behavior. Marge will work with your veterinarian, when appropriate, and create a customized behavior modification plan for you and your dog. Click the links below for additional video examples.
We offer different training packages to meet your needs, your dog’s needs and your budget.
GETTING STARTED – 6 Sessions (7 hrs)
Professional Fees: $770
All of our training packages start with a 2 hour introductory session that includes an overview of the science of how dogs learn, how to humanely modify their behavior, dog body language, and when children are involved, dog-child safety. After we’ve answered all your questions on those topics, we’ll begin working with your dog. Some dogs are so worried or anxious or worried around people (that’s why you called us), that we have to spend time getting the dog comfortable with our presence. We may coach you through some of the training exercises or we may continue to work toward helping your dog feel comfortable around us
INTERMEDIATE BEHAVIOR TRAINING – 8 Sessions (9 hrs)
Professional Fees: $975
Once your dog is comfortable enough to work with us, we teach foundation skills for impulse control and owner focus. These skills create a shared communication and are confidence building for your dog. One of the reasons our owners are so successful is that we give them the tools to help their dog . when we are not there. Once the foundation skills are in place, we start working specifically on the behavioral issues at hand.
INTENSIVE TRAINING – 14 Sessions (15 hrs)
Professional Fees: $1520
This training package is for dogs with a bite history, debilitating fears or anxiety. We will often work in concert with your veterinarian to come up with a behavior treatment plan. If working with your dog is beyond your comfort and skill level, we can “jump start” your training by doing initial or more difficult training ourselves. As professional dog trainers, our mechanical skills and knowledge enable us to make progress faster than if you were doing all the training on your own. This option is also good for owners with busy schedules -we can train while you’re at work. “Transfer sessions” are required to ensure the things your dog learns to do for us he can do for you, too. We can customize this plan to meet your needs
Veterinarians who specialize in animal behavior advise against using punishment-based training (e.g. shock, prong, and stim collars) to modify behavior. While that may temporarily suppress the behavior, the behavior often gets worse over time. Perhaps you’ve experienced that already.
