Fear, Anxiety, Aggression

Easton, Oxford and St Michaels, MD

INCLUDING LEASH REACTIVITY

Behavioral Training for Big Feelings

Dogs with issues at home include guarding resources, not getting along with other pets, or exploding when someone is at the door.

Or they may be difficult to take out in public because they get upset seeing other dogs, people who look different, bike riders; or hearing UPS trucks, barking, etc.

Dogs with big feelings often display aggressive behaviors. They need professional behavioral training, not obedience training—and you need to know how to understand and help them!

I know how distressing, frightening, and embarrassing it can be to see your lovable companion just freak out in certain situations. You may be worried about the risks for your dog, for yourself, and for others who might get hurt.

I CAN HELP

  • “Lisa was very sensitive to our dog's particular needs. She gave us many tools and techniques to help with Grace's leash reactivity. She is quite knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. Grace really liked her!”

    MM

  • “We have seen remarkable progress over six weeks, especially in walking without pulling, and how to get their attention when there are distractions. The harnesses have been very effective, and they both are using the calming mats.”

    M&LB

  • “Lisa was a wonderful resource and a kind, caring and empathetic trainer.”

    KC

When dogs feel better, they behave better.

When we can lower stress and tension (physical, mental and emotional), dogs are able to calm down and think— instead of reacting to their triggers.

We also want to look at easy ways to increase enrichment, by meeting more of their species/breed/individual needs.

The goal is for your dog to feel safe, confident, and more connected with you, able to handle situations that are challenging now.

Behavior modification starts with management (preventing exposure to triggers amap during training) and meeting more needs (enrichment).

Then we teach new and stronger foundation skills, how to relax more, and what To Do in those difficult situations. These are alternative behaviors to replace the reactive habits.

And as their skills and confidence grow, those scary or super-exciting events become cues to turn to you, or are just ignored. What a difference a holistic approach can make!

Relief for your dog means relief for you!

Get my help to improve your life

Initial Consult—Alone or Before Training

At our Consult, I’ll get more information about your dog’s history, routine, environment, preferences, and details on his/her behavior issues. We’ll also discuss your lifestyle and goals so I can make recommendations that meet your needs, as well as your dog’s.  

Consult-Only Option

1.5 hour consultation: $165

Consults can take place by Zoom or in person at your home (extra fee for travel outside Talbot).

After collecting more information, I’ll explain my perspective on what’s going on (and what isn’t), how to manage challenging situations right now, and other ways to make life safer and easier immediately.

I will also outline the best ways to use enrichment and skills training, should you decide to go forward to achieve long-lasting behavior changes.

And I will follow up later by e-mail to check on your progress.  

Included will be a few enrichment items to support better behavior right away and helpful handouts.

The First 4 Training Sessions

4 sessions + enrichment, calming products: $595

If your dog’s behavior isn’t severe (no bites) and has been going on for only a few weeks or months, 4 sessions may be enough to see significant improvement. (We can add on more if necessary.)

I’ll work with you and your dog to change those negative underlying feelings and teach the skills they need to behave better.   

I’ll also provide you with the right training gear plus enrichment and calming products (as appropriate), to help the process along.

You’ll be supported between lessons.

Subsequent Sessions
4 for $495

If your dog’s behavior includes a bite history and has been going on for many months or years, we will need more sessions and more practice, at the dog’s pace, to make significant and lasting improvement.

Each set of sessions builds on the ones before.

It’s difficult to predict how long change will take. It always depends on the individual dog and the guardians’ ability to manage the problem and provide enrichment between sessions.

We really need to go at the dog’s pace to teach the skills and practice them consistently under the right conditions.  

There are no quick fixes and no guarantees. You will be working with an ethical, positive, professional trainer.

Other issues?

If your dog is pulling on leash with occasional barking or lunging, please visit my Leash Walks page.

Living in a household with babies or young children? Please consult a Family Paws Educator. For more information and a directory, visit Family Paws.

Am I the right trainer for you and your dog?

We are probably a good fit if you . . .

  • prioritize a great relationship with your dog

  • would love for your dog to be calmer so they can learn how to make good choices on their own

  • want to understand canine body language, to know how your dog is feeling

  • are keen to actively participate in your dog’s learning journey, together

  • are eager to learn kind and fun ways to help your dog become well-behaved and more connected

We are probably not a good fit if you . . .

  • prioritize obedience, regardless of how your dog is feeling

  • will try anything you that seems to work instantly, including prong or shock collars, spray bottles …

  • don’t have the time or patience to help your dog learn the skills they need

  • insist on correcting unwanted behaviors instead of blocking them and teaching alternatives

  • don’t want to use food for training because dogs “should want to please you”

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Please have your dog in a crate, another room, or outside when I arrive. I don’t need to see what they normally do at the door, whether it’s aggression or over-excitement. Let’s start now to change that habit with good management (prevention). If aggression is a concern, we may need to meet outside.

  • I come to your home on a schedule we agree on. The first couple of sessions will be weekly, and then we can switch to every two weeks so you have more time to practice.

    We need a quiet space, without kids, television, or other distractions. Please have a water bowl nearby.

  • There are no guarantees when it comes to future behavior.

    What I can guarantee is that behavior will improve with your consistent management and implementation of the plan for your dog, keeping in touch with me for support when you need it.

    And also with your promise that no aversive tools or techniques will ever be used with your dog, by anyone.