What is the Humane Hierarchy?

Addressing behavior from a professional lens means approaching change from a systematic and humane process. While you can read a little about my training philosophy on my Frequently Asked Questions and in this blog post, generally speaking when looking at behavior change I will recommend you review the Human Hierarchy of needs for your dog.

This structure emphasizes physical and mental welfare, and changing behavior by setting up successful interactions with positive reinforcement driving preferred behaviors. I am always cautious before including any behavior in a training plan that may exacerbate frustration or distress for your dog, and will work to avoid creating fallout and mistrust in your training program.

Guild Hall is a client portal within my website - you’ll find classes and events available only to past and present clients there, as well as discounts on certain future services. You’ll also find recommended outlets for your dog, including sports, events, and sniffspot information.

“Your Canine Community” is my client Facebook group - a spot where you can find folks also working on similar challenges with their dogs, ask questions and share resources.

Your google drive is available to you to reference your contract and contact and care form, make updates to your dog’s care information, upload vaccination records, as well as share videos and photos with questions or for feedback!

Leo

Session Zero: 11/07/2024

Recommended Training Package: Character Creation Level 1 ($655)
Given Leo’s difficulty acclimating to strangers, I think it’s ideal to keep to just private sessions. The Character Creation package includes 4 sessions, which I think will give you and Leo a good baseline for evaluating next steps and moving forward. It also includes an online Drama Class geared specifically towards fear and reactivity.

I would recommend at least the first session in the set be completed virtually to go over additional skills to help set Leo up for success at our first session, which may be ideally done at a Sniffspot.

• Fear Reactivity/Aggression

  • With anyone outside of his circle in the home

  • With dogs and people outdoors

  • At the vet office

  In building behaviors to cope with Leo’s conflict and fear, we will initially teach skills in a low stress environment like home and expand them first to safe outdoor spaces or with safe people, before working off of true triggers. Because Leo’s threshold is both unpredictable and thin (he reacts intermittently but immediately) we want to solidify these behaviors carefully before taking them out.

  We will also address management protocols as we work through Leo’s program to prevent reactions where possible.

• Separation Anxiety Symptoms

  While this is not the focus of our sessions and given the onset of symptoms can hopefully be address in the confidence building work and behavior modification for addressing reactive and aggressive behaviors, it is something to keep in mind as a subject that may at a later date require referral.

• Handling and Possession Behaviors

  A lesser priority, but some discomfort/displeasure expressed with handling, as well as snatching behaviors and an inconsistent “drop.” Leo also prompts the “drop” cue by stealing items.

Sniffspots

Check out the Sniffspot App as a potential option for you and Leo to get some time out relaxing or training where you won’t be surprised by triggers. I have reviews of Sniffspots available in the client portal, and linked below.

Decompression Walks

The idea behind a decompression walk is that these walks are not for training, but instead are for relaxing and allowing your dog to be a dog. These walks should happen where Leo is unlikely to encounter triggers and where you feel comfortable having him on a longer line. It doesn’t have to be a big space like a Sniffspot or even take much time - often power lines or school fields are good spots for a short sniffy walk.

Calming Cap or Conditioned Blanket

Begin building a “chin” behavior so calming cap can potentially be used in the car and while walking out of the apartment building. Play with conditioning a blanket over his head as well as an intermittent option. Since Leo settles into walks more successfully later in the walk, we will work backwards and heavily manage the first portion of the walk.

Additional Recommendations:

I typically refer to Jackie Moyano or Tanzi Leary for Separation Anxiety Cases. In the case that we are seeing improvement with Leo’s reactivity but not his separation anxiety, these ladies are licensed specifically for education in addressing Separation Anxiety cases.