Training Philosophy
What is Touch Sensitivity in Puppies and How Do We Treat This Behavior?
Touch sensitivity is when a puppy is overly sensitive to touch by showing signs of abnormal fear or aggression when handled in certain situations. These situations could include your puppy snapping at the veterinarian during a routine exam or growling at the groomer when they try to take your puppy’s collar off. All dogs can by squirmy, but if they try to bite when being restrained, then they might be touch-sensitive.
When a puppy’s nipping or growling is reinforced, the behavior is likely to continue because the fear behind it remains. Even if punishing a puppy’s aggressive behavior (like nipping or growling) makes it stop for a while, the underlying fear may not have been addressed, which can cause the behaviors to return unexpectedly.
When treating touch sensitivity we use science-based methods that support your puppy’s wellbeing by addressing the underlying causes of the behavior. These training methods include positive reinforcement, which uses rewards to reinforce desired behaviors, and classical conditioning to create positive associations through experiences.
For more information on touch sensitivity, you check out this blog written by Dr. Echterling-Savage where she explains the touch sensitivity progression in puppies.
The Benefits of Puppy Touch Sensitivity Training
Our team, led by Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Dr. Kristyn Echterling-Savage and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Sean Savage, use behavioral wellness based training methods that have been developed over more than 20 years addressing fearful behaviors in puppies.
It’s very important that touch-sensitivity behaviors are addressed early, or this behavior will often get worse as a puppy gets older. Fortunately, behavior modification training teaches your dog positive associations with being touched, which reduces fear based responses such as snapping, growling or biting.
When treating touch sensitivity, you should see positive results within the first week and after completing the program, your dog will be more calm and confident during everyday situations. These situations include inside the home, during vet and grooming appointments and in common occurrences such as taking your puppy’s collar off and wiping their paws.
Training Programs
This program aims to address your dog’s touch sensitivity through personalized training plans developed through virtual consultations with Dr. Echterling-Savage, while providing ongoing guidance and support to promote long-term success.
This training program is provided by Dr. Echterling-Savage, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a PhD in Behavioral Psychology, specializing in animal behavior. She has over 20 years of experience treating touch sensitivity and has published research on canine behavior modification. As a leading expert in her field, she offers extensive knowledge and support in addressing puppy problem behaviors while mentoring owners to ensure long-term success.
This program begins with you and Dr. Echterling-Savage meeting via virtual consultation to discuss your dog’s behavioral history, challenges, and your training goals. She will then develop a personalized training plan that addresses all of these issues to treat your puppy’s touch-sensitivity behavior and teach relevant obedience commands.
Dr. Echterling-Savage will continue to provide guidance, troubleshoot any behavior scenarios, and meet for further virtual consultations through the four to six-week program. This will help ensure lasting success in training and increase comfort with touch and in the presence of others. This program is designed to run for four weeks for mild cases of touch sensitivity and six weeks for moderate to severe cases.
This program will teach your puppy socialization skills, obedience commands, and treat touch sensitivity through behavior modification training that includes teaching positive associations with being handled. Training scenarios will include, but are not limited to:
Program Includes:
Depending on the distance from Tampa Bay, travel may be complimentary or require a small additional cost.
Our training methods have been continuously refined over more than two decades to effectively treat touch sensitivity in puppies. Our co-founders, Dr. Echterling-Savage, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, and Sean Savage, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, have addressed hundreds of puppies with complex touch-sensitivity challenges.
Our personalized training programs use scientifically proven training methods that focus on providing behavioral wellness. These training methods include classical conditioning, cooperative care, and positive reinforcement, which teach positive associations with being handled.
Our trainers are mentored and trained by two leading experts in the field, Dr. Kristyn Echterling-Savage and Sean Savage.
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. With over two decades of hands-on experience teaching dogs high-level obedience, manners, and addressing problem behaviors, she has extensive knowledge in how to address touch sensitivity behaviors while ensuring long-term success.
Sean Savage is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). Sean has over twenty year of experience teaching socialization skills, obedience commands and addressing a wide range of behavioral challenges.
Before training begins, we ask that you submit your completed “Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior”, so we can better understand your puppy’s behavioral challenges and your training goals. Dr. Echterling-Savage will meet with you for a virtual consultation to discuss this assessment, understand more about your puppy’s needs, and answer any questions that you may have. She will use this information to create a personalized training plan that best meets your puppy’s unique needs and delivers the most effective results.
Dr. Echterling-Savage and Sean Savage will pick up and personally transport your puppy from your home to their home in Tampa Bay. During their stay, they will live as part of the family and learn through structured and unstructured training sessions throughout the day and night. Training sessions will occur in the environments that best meet the needs of your training goals, with sessions at your home and throughout Tampa Bay, including hiking trails, dog-friendly parks, restaurants, farmer’s markets, dog-friendly beaches, and shops. By training your puppy across a diverse range of environments and distractions, your puppy will learn how to handle any situation. Your puppy will also meet a diverse range of people and other dogs, which will improve their socialization skills.
Throughout the training program, you will receive regular correspondence, including phone and video calls, general updates, and notes to keep you informed of their progress. At the end of the four-week wellness retreat, Dr. Echterling-Savage or Sean Savage will return your dog home. They may work alongside another trainer to teach you how to maintain your puppy’s newly learned skills and behavior through 4.5 hours of return and follow-up sessions. With these lessons and detailed training notes, we will help ensure long-term success in your puppy’s training so that they can enjoy going out on adventures with you.