Training Philosophy
What is Fearful Behavior in Puppies and How Do We Address This?
We define Fearful behavior as a combination of body signals, reactions, and actions a dog experiences in response to perceived threats and stress. Does your puppy seem to be scared of everything? Do they refuse to leave the house or flatten to the ground on walks? If your puppy experiences fearful behaviors during walks, we recommend checking out our blog written by our co-founder and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling-Savage, which discusses fear related behaviors that can occur during walks.
Unfortunately, when fear-based behavior goes untreated in a puppy, it can worsen into aggressive behaviors as the puppy matures into adulthood. Fortunately, fearful behaviors can be treated through behavior modification training. We treat fearful puppy behavior through science-based training methods to support overall behavioral wellness. This includes a proprietary combination of classical conditioning, which teaches dogs positive associations with experiences, targeted obedience, and socialization.
The Benefits of Fearful Behavior Puppy Training
Our team, led by Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Dr. Kristyn Echterling-Savage and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Sean Savage, use science-based training methods and over 50 years of combined training experience to treat fearful behaviors.
The main goal of our science-based puppy training program is to help your puppy gain confidence and eliminate the fear and anxiety from their daily life. Your puppy will be trained in a variety of environments so that, after training, they can approach new situations with confidence. Your puppy will be trained in a variety of different environments. All of our training sessions are conducted one-on-one, so your puppy is most effectively trained through a personalized program that meets their unique needs.
Training Programs
In our Fearful Puppy Behavior Modification Package, we offer private virtual sessions with Dr. Echterling-Savage, our Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB). Dr. Echterling-Savage is one of only a few Board Certified Behavior Analysts specializing in Applied Animal Behavior, with only around 50 CAABs in the country. With decades of expertise, including published research on canine behavior, Dr. Echterling-Savage is a leading expert in her field, making her consultations an exceptional opportunity for those seeking transformative change.
Dr. Echterling-Savage will connect with you virtually to evaluate your puppy’s behavior, developing a training program that addresses your unique needs. After your initial meeting, Dr. Echterling-Savage will continue to offer guidance and troubleshoot fearful behavior scenarios, ensuring ongoing progress in your puppy’s training. This program runs for four weeks for mild cases and six weeks for moderate or severe cases.
In this personalized training program, we will address your puppy’s fearful behaviors that can include:
Pulling on the leash, cowering and stiffening when exposed to:
Uncontrollably shaking, flattened ears, and trying to rush back inside the house or car when in the front yard, outside, or when in crowded places.
Having difficulty following commands such as sit, stay, and place because of fearful behavior.
Depending on the distance from Tampa Bay, travel may be complimentary or require a small additional cost.
We address fearful behaviors using a function-based approach, which helps us identify the underlying causes so we can create the most effective training program. Our science-based training methods include classical counterconditioning, in which we pair positive rewards, such as treats and praise, with stimuli that cause
fearful behavior. Through repeated pairing exercises across multiple sessions, your puppy will develop more positive associations, reducing or eliminating fearful behavior.
During this program, your dog will live and train with Dr. Echterling-Savage and Sean Savage at their home in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Dr. Kristyn Echterling-Savage is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a Ph.D. in Behavioral Psychology, specializing in animal behavior. She has over 20 years of experience training dogs, including treating complex behavioral challenges. As well as training, she also and mentors and trains Beyond the Dog’s trainers.
Sean Savage is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), who has over 20 years of experience in training manners, obedience, and addressing complex behavioral issues.
Before the retreat begins, Dr. Echterling-Savage will meet with you for a virtual consultation to discuss your training goals and your dog’s behavioral history. We will also ask that you submit your completed “Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior” to provide further insight into your training needs.
Dr. Echterling-Savage or Sean Savage will transport your dog from your home to their home in Tampa Bay, where your dog will live as part of the family, with dedicated training time and leisure time. We will train your dog through one-on-one private sessions, which will take place at their home and throughout the Tampa Bay area, including dog-friendly beaches, parks, shops, hiking trails, and farmer’s markets.
We use a function-based approach to treat fearful behaviors, which helps us to address the causes of the problem behavior. We use science-based training methods such as classical counterconditioning, where we pair positive rewards, such as treats, with stimuli that trigger fear. Over time, this will help your dog build positive associations, which can reduce or eliminate the fearful behavior.
Throughout the program, you will receive regular updates on your dog’s training, including emails, calls, videos, and photos. At the end of the four-week board and train wellness retreat, Dr. Echterling-Savage or Sean Savage will return your dog home for 4.5 hours of return and follow-up lessons. These lessons may include support from another Beyond the Dog trainer. These lessons will teach you how to manage their new skills and ensure success in their training.