Training Philosophy
Does your dog avoid having their collar grabbed? Do they snap at you if you try to wipe their paws? Does your dog flinch or stiffen at your touch sometimes and not others? Your dog might be touch-sensitive. Dog touch sensitivity is frequently seen when dogs are having equipment put on or taken off, being disturbed while resting in a comfy spot, or being handled during a veterinary examination or at the groomer. Touch-sensitive dogs might show aggressive behavior such as growling, snapping, or biting in response to being touched. They also might shy away from the handler while looking in the opposite direction. If this is the behavior you recognize in your dog, our Austin behavior consultants can help! We have treated hundreds of touch-sensitive dogs. Each one of our science-based dog training programs were designed using the latest research in dog behavior. Touch sensitivity is highly correlated with resource guarding so it is quite common for dogs to exhibit aggressive behavior for both reasons.
Led by Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling-Savage, our pre-training team will work with you to identify exactly when your dog is engaging in touch sensitivity and the severity of the behavior. Then, using our Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior, our team will develop a step-by-step treatment plan, directly targeting your concerns. We allow each dog to go at their own pace with training while still producing major behavioral shifts due to the effectiveness and efficiency of our programs. Your Austin trainer will go through various training exercises with your dog such as mock grooming and veterinary examinations, collar touches, and more to address your dog’s aggressive behavior. Your dog will also learn relevant obedience commands that you can use in everyday life. After enrolling in your Austin dog training program, you will see a difference in your dog’s behavior as early as the first week and the behavior will be significantly reduced or eliminated in as little as one month.
Training Programs
Our All-Inclusive Training Program is for Austin dog owners looking to treat their dog’s touch sensitivity. We reduce or eliminate touch-sensitive aggressive or fearful behaviors in a variety of contexts including but not limited to:
We reduce or eliminate aggressive dog behavior due to touch sensitivity with a unique comprehensive treatment, including cooperative care, classical counterconditioning, and positive reinforcement. We help Austin dogs create positive associations with being handled in the contexts that previously elicited fear. Research conducted in a 2019 study by Stellato et al. supports counterconditioning as a highly effective method in reducing fearful behavior in dogs that were experiencing fear at veterinary examinations. According to Dr. Echterling-Savage, our resident CAAB, “Contrary to popular belief, sedatives can make veterinary visits more difficult for touch-sensitive dogs in my experience. Behavior modification with proper management is the superior method to treat dog touch sensitivity.”
The All-Inclusive Dog Touch Sensitivity Training Program is specifically designed to reduce or eliminate touch sensitivity. It encompasses 20 training sessions across five intensive weeks with two follow-up sessions, spanning a total of 22 training sessions over eight weeks! Our pre-training team will craft your dog’s training program based on the Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior. Your trainer will work with your dog one-on-one for three 1-hour sessions during the week. The fourth session each week is dedicated to your training! After the five-week-long training, there are two follow-up sessions to support your progress. At the end of your Austin dog training program, your trainer will give you detailed notes on everything to practice with your dog to maintain their level of training post-program. Please note that our indirect behavior assessments will confirm your dog’s behavior and goals. If your dog’s training program requires additional oversight from our Animal Behavior Experts, a small additional fee may be required.
If you are a pet parent with an insurance policy covering behavior modification, our touch-sensitive dog behavior modification is likely covered. When behavior training is under the direction of a CAAB or a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, most companies with behavior policies such as Trupanion will cover behavioral training.
In need of professional advice regarding your dog’s touch sensitivity but prefer virtual dog training? We offer 1-hour virtual training sessions where you will have the opportunity to speak with Dr. Echterling-Savage or one of our other behavior consultants under her direct supervision. Our team will create a personalized plan to help with your dog’s aggressive behavior. After reviewing the Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior, we will recommend one or multiple sessions with Dr. Echterling-Savage or with one of our other qualified behavior consultants. Pricing for 1-hour virtual consultations with Dr. Ectherling-Savage is $375. Pricing for a 1-hour virtual consultation with one of our behavior consultants starts at $150.
Reach Out
We’ll get back to you in two wags of a dog’s tail!
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