We have two different reactive dogs classes:
- Online Reactive Dog Class (reactivity to dogs, people, or other stimuli; 6 weeks plus Facebook group)
- In-Person Reactive Dog Class (reactivity to dogs only; 8 weeks) – not available during COVID
Online Reactive Dog Class
Does your dog lunge, bark, growl, or overreact to dogs, people, or other stimuli? Our online class will teach you how to handle the difficult situations that arise when you live with or walk a reactive dog. It consists of six online webinars, and is designed to help your reactive dog become more focused and confident. Registration in the course also includes access to a Facebook discussion group where you can pose specific questions about you and your dog.
This class is not only good for dogs that react to other dogs; it is also the only option for dogs that are reactive to people, including those coming into your home, dogs that have caused serious injury to others, or dogs spooked by trucks, balloons, bikes, or other indoor or outdoor triggers.
This class is available not only to local students, but also to students from outside the DC area.
We are using Zoom for our online Reactive classes.
In-Person Reactive Dog Class
Does your dog go crazy every time another dog appears on your walk?
Are you embarrassed by the hair-trigger lunging and barking?
Is your worst nightmare meeting up with an off-leash dog on a walk?
You’re not alone! We’re here to help.
This class gives you and your dog tools to go out and about without the stress you’re experiencing now. Your dog might not like other dogs, but by the end of the class, your dog will begin to look to you for guidance in challenging situations.
In our eight-week in-person Reactive Dog Class, you are able to take more time to achieve your goals. To succeed, you will have to do homework outside of class. You’ll come without your dog for the first two weeks in order to develop skills in class and practice with your dog at home. When you bring your dog to class you’ll have the support of our team to safely and comfortably enter and leave the training space.
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- Changing your dog’s emotional response to other dogs
- Management techniques
- Preventing your dog from practicing the behavior
- Removing your dog quickly and easily from unexpected encounters with dogs and other “triggers”
- Fun strategies to build your dog’s focus on you on walks
- Building your skillset to increase your confidence with your dog in public
- Reducing your dog’s overall arousal level
- Equipment to support your dog when walking on leash (without using choke, prong, or electronic collars)
See the Results:
Latte’s mom couldn’t take him for a walk without him making a scene every time he spotted another dog. Here he is on the last day of Reactive Dog Class.
Information for Both Classes:
Instructors:
Sarah Stoycos, KPA CTP (Laughing Dog Academy)
[email protected], 240-498-9920
Marnie Montgomery, PMCT4, CPDT-KA (Joyful Dog)
[email protected], 703-554-2384
Fees: $145 for online class; $295 for in-person class
Upcoming Classes
Please check Schedule at a Glance for days off and the last date of class.
If the box is empty, there are no classes currently scheduled, but you can join the wait list at the bottom of this page. During COVID, we have been running continuous Online Reactive Dog Classes.
Registration
Class fees help support the free programs and services provided by Your Dog’s Friend, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and supporting dog parents.
Join the Wait List
We email everyone on the list any time either class is scheduled. You can join the wait list here.
More Help for Your Reactive Dog
We have handouts on reactive dogs under behavior issues, as well as videos of our webinars on reactive dogs. We also have a list of positive trainers, divided by location, and veterinary behaviorists.
