The initial focus in training is aimed at establishing calming exercises on a training mat. These Mat Work exercises serve as the cornerstone of the training, establishing focus, relaxation, impulse control while building an aptitude for learning and connection.

Puppies and/or highly toy motivated dogs will also engage in structured games that provide healthy outlets for their natural energy. These games are designed to support key behavioral goals, such as emotional regulation, trust, communication and thinking through high stimulation scenarios. By using toys in training, your dog will have a fun and productive way to channel their energy while building important skills related to their behavioral well-being.

As your dog begins to demonstrate fluency these exercises can then be used to regulate emotional responses related to behavioral challenges in the home. For example, learning to be calm and relaxed with separation, people, outside sounds, activities or with other resident animals. Mat Work exercises can also be used for dogs that resource guard by building trust and communication when your dog is in possession of valued resources (ie. food, toys or socially significant space).  

During this time the trainer would observe and identify your dog’s individual needs on a day to day basis to make more customized recommendations for management and training. These skills can then be transferred and implemented in your dog’s home environment for continued growth.

This 3-Week program allows for the same strong foundation of calm, focused, controlled behavior described above. The third week of training would then begin the process of expanding calm, focused, controlled behavior to the outside environment through Heel Work. Heel Work helps generalize this calm connection to situations where a mat is not available. This will help your dog to be calm and confident at your side when distractions or challenges are present.

Heel Work training starts in a low level distraction environment (the living room and/or yard) and gradually builds to higher levels of difficulty as your dog shows readiness.

This third week of training would also allow time for Mat Work to be generalized to novel environments, like the park or a cafe, where your dog would be exposed to new sounds and sights. This lays the groundwork for building calm, confident behavior in different contexts.

In addition, the trainer’s careful observation of your dog’s behavior patterns within the home, and as your dog is exposed to new environments, will allow for recommendations that will support your dog’s long-term growth and well-being. 

The 4-week program offers a comprehensive training plan. This allows time to deepen development of skills related to emotional regulation, including calming exercises within or around the home, systematic exposure to triggers or distractions outside the home and training that improves recovery. Recovery training will teach your dog how to come back to a calm baseline more readily if or when they become stressed, excited, frustrated or guarded.

In week 4 your dog will be introduced to Recall training to help your dog learn to come away from high-arousal distractions and return to you when called. When practicing recall your dog will be learning to return to their training mat or to your side (heel position) to teach your dog to settle as needed. As with any skill set the training begins with manageable distractions and gradually builds to higher levels of difficulty as your dog shows readiness.

By integrating Recall with Mat Work and Heel Work, your dog’s learning becomes scaffolded, building a cohesive set of skills that reinforce one another. This layered approach not only sets the stage for calm, focused behavior but also creates a foundation that will sustain itself over time. This will give both you and your dog confidence when faced with real-world challenges.

This fourth week would also allow time for your dog to practice their new found skills in natural environments or through enrichment activities that highlight your dog’s natural strengths. The selected activity would align with your dog’s age, physical, behavioral and developmental needs.

A longer duration of training is highly recommended for dogs that exhibit more severe anxiety, fear, reactivity, hyperactivity, or aggression. This extended stay allows for the time necessary to reset, rebuild, and heal, providing a more comprehensive and therapeutic approach to addressing deeply rooted behavioral issues. During this time, your dog will receive consistent support and training. They will learn foundational skills covered in the 2-4 week programs, but with a stronger emphasis on establishing a calm baseline. This calm foundation is crucial for optimizing learning and growth, particularly as we begin to gradually and systematically integrate the training into situations that may be triggering for your dog.

Throughout the extended stay, your dog will learn and practice healthier coping strategies that enable them to manage stress, frustration, and arousal more effectively. These new skills will help transform day-to-day challenges into opportunities for connection and understanding, rather than points of conflict or frustration.

This extended training period provides the necessary time and space for your dog’s nervous system to reset, while giving them the tools they need to face real-world challenges with confidence. By the end of the program, you will see significant progress in your dog’s behavior, setting a clear path for a healthier, happier, and more harmonious life at home.

Individualized Training: Your dog will receive expert, one-on-one training designed specifically for their unique needs in the home of a behavior specialist. This personalized approach ensures a solid foundation while directly addressing any specific challenges. Working in a focused, controlled environment, the training will be gradually built up with increasing distractions, providing the right level of support at every stage to set your dog up for lasting, positive behavioral change.

Go-Home Session: At the end of your dog’s stay, there will be a Go Home Session. This session can be done in person at pick-up, or we can arrange a Zoom session 1-2 days before your dog returns home. During the Go Home Session, we’ll have a detailed discussion about the training progress and next steps. Some owners prefer the Zoom option as it allows for a more focused conversation in a quiet, distraction-free environment. The time and location of this session needs to scheduled prior to your dog’s board and train.

Follow-Up Support: In addition to the Go Home Session at pick-up, each dog will receive a follow-up session for every week of training beyond the initial two weeks. For example, if your dog stays for three weeks, you will receive one follow-up session. If your dog stays for four weeks, you will receive two follow-up sessions. These follow-ups help ensure a smooth transition and continued progress as you implement the training at home. Follow up sessions are one-hour in length and are conducted by zoom. The focus of these sessions will be how to maintain and effectively use foundation skill sets to work through real world challenges. 

Continued Growth: Practicing the training for just 10 minutes once or twice a day after your dog returns home will lead to exponential growth in their behavior. These brief, consistent sessions will help reinforce learned skills, while also enhancing your connection and communication with your dog. The more consistent you are with routine practice, the more confident your dog will become in offering desired behaviors with real world challenges.