Training Philosophy
At Beyond the Dog Kansas City, we have been treating dog reactivity and dog aggression for decades. We use the latest scientific research in dog behavior modification to create a unique, personalized approach for every dog we encounter. Our team of professionals is led by one of approximately 50 Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists in the country, Dr. Echterling-Savage. Whether your dog is barking on leash or showing aggressive behavior in the home, we utilize our collective 50+ years of experience to create a customized training program for each one of our clients. Our science-based dog training programs use a combination of classical counterconditioning and positive reinforcement and are proven to treat dog aggression. After analyzing the Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior that each client completes before training, our pre-training team under Dr. Echterling-Savage’s guidance will develop a step-by-step treatment plan to treat your dog’s problem behavior and accomplish all of your training goals.
In your personalized Kansas City dog training program, our trainers will come to your home and neighborhood to work with you and your dog to treat your dog’s aggression wherever it is occurring. Do you wish you could take your dog for a walk at Loose Park without them barking and lunging at other people and dogs? Or do you want your dog to be the ideal companion, from shopping at Town Center Plaza to spending time outdoors with family and friends without your dog barking? Is your dog’s barking, growling, or nipping at guests preventing you from hosting at your Mission Hill’s home? Our in-home Kansas City dog training programs uniquely allow us to address your dog’s aggression or reactivity regardless of where it’s occurring so you can get back to making lifelong memories with your beloved furry companion!
Training Programs
To treat reactive and aggressive dog behavior including but not limited to:
After decades of training thousands of dogs across four markets, we created a unique treatment for dog reactivity proprietary to Beyond the Dog. We take a functional approach to reactivity and treat it with behavior modification involving both positive reinforcement and classical conditioning. This specialized treatment allows us to discover the root cause of the reactivity to treat it accordingly. In a 2015 study conducted by our resident CAAB Dr. Echterling-Savage, behavior modification was supported as a highly effective method in treating dog aggression. After implementing an aggression reduction procedure using behavior modification, dog aggression was significantly reduced or eliminated across all environments in which the dogs were previously exhibiting aggressive behavior. At the conclusion of the study, researchers taught owners how to implement treatment so the behavior shift would remain even after the training program ended. According to Dr. Echterling-Savage, “Reactivity is one of the most common behaviors we treat at Beyond the Dog. After working with thousands of reactive dogs, I can confidently say my team can effectively treat all types of reactivity.”
The All-Inclusive Program for Dog Reactivity encompasses 20 training sessions across 5 intensive weeks with 2 follow-up sessions spanning a total of 22 training sessions over 8 weeks! After you submit your training contract and Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior, our pre-training team, led by Dr. Echterling-Savage, uses the information provided to craft your personalized dog training program. Then, your trainer will put your training plan into action! 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! This structure is designed to produce seamless learning and long-term behavior change. After the 5-week-long training, there are 2 follow-up sessions to support your progress. Please note that our indirect behavior assessments will confirm the severity of your dog’s behavior and if deemed severe you may incur a small additional fee.
If you are a pet parent with an insurance policy covering behavior modification, our reactive 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.
To reduce and eliminate mild dog reactivity or aggressive in 1-2 contexts such as:
Our team has analyzed reactivity in dogs for decades and has seen thousands of dogs become reactive on leash. Frequently, dogs may exhibit reactive behavior as a means of creating distance from people or other dogs. This behavior can be puzzling, especially considering that these dogs often engage in play with other dogs or greet strangers cheerfully when off-leash. Research by our resident CAAB Dr. Echterling-Savage and Dr. Reisner of the University of Pennsylvania supports that behavior modification is highly effective in treating aggression in dogs. According to Dr. Echterling-Savage, “Reactivity is our team’s specialty at Beyond the Dog. Treatment is incredibly targeted so that a little can go a long way.”
Our Executive Training Program for Dog Reactivity ranges from 9-12 hours of training across three to four weeks. After our pre-training team designs your program based on your dog’s Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior, your trainer will work directly with your dog for (2) 1-hour sessions and with you for (1) 1-hour session per week. Please note that our indirect behavior assessments will confirm the severity of your dog’s behavior and if deemed severe you may incur a small additional fee.
If you are a pet parent with an insurance policy covering behavior modification, our reactive 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.
Live outside of our Kansas City service area or want expert advice on all things dog reactivity from the comfort of your couch? Schedule a virtual consultation with our CAAB, Dr. Echterling-Savage, or one of our Kansas City behavior consultants under Dr. Echterling-Savage’s direct supervision! We will create a training plan customized to the specific needs of you and your dog to treat your dog’s reactivity. After your first virtual dog training session, you can schedule additional virtual sessions with continued expert advice to troubleshoot dog reactivity training scenarios and ensure training is properly maintained. Pricing for a 1-hour virtual consultation with Dr. Echterling-Savage is $375. Pricing for a 1-hour virtual consultation with one of our Kansas City dog behavior consultants is $150.
Reach Out
We’ll get back to you in two wags of a dog’s tail!
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