Excitement-Based Reactivity Program
6 weekly sessions
Some dogs are not aggressive, they are just overwhelmed, over-aroused, and unable to control their excitement around certain triggers. This program is designed for dogs who bark, pull, lunge, jump, whine, or lose focus around other dogs, people, bikes, scooters, wildlife, or busy environments.
The Excitement-Based Reactivity Program focuses on helping your dog build calmness, impulse control, handler engagement, and better decision-making in real-life situations. Across 6 weekly sessions, we work at your dog’s current skill level and gradually build their ability to stay connected and responsive around distractions.
Program Structure
Step 1: Assessment, Triggers and Training Plan
We begin by assessing your dog’s current behaviour, triggers, and level of arousal. The aim of this first session is to understand why your dog is reacting and what skills need to be built first.
Step 2: Engagement and Calm Foundations
Before we expect your dog to make better choices around distractions, we need to build strong engagement with the handler. This session gives your dog a clearer job: notice the world but stay connected to the handler.
Step 3: Lead Communication and Arousal Control
Many reactive dogs escalate because they hit the end of the lead and do not know how to respond to pressure, frustration, or excitement. The goal is to create clearer communication and reduce the feeling of chaos when triggers appear.
Step 4: Trigger Work at a Safe Distance
Once the foundation skills are in place, we begin controlled exposure to your dog’s triggers at a distance they can manage. The focus is not to force your dog close to triggers, but to teach them how to stay calm and responsive around them.
Step 5: Real-Life Handling and Distraction Practice
In this session, we start applying the skills in more realistic walking or public environments. This session helps owners learn what to do in the moment, not just in a controlled training setup.
Step 6: Progress Review and Long-Term Plan
The final session focuses on reviewing progress, strengthening the skills learned, and creating a plan for ongoing success. By the end of the program, you should have a clearer understanding of your dog’s triggers, how to manage their excitement, and how to continue building calmer behaviour in everyday life.
Our Excitement-Based Reactivity package includes:
Unlimited phone / virtual support during the program – $750
