Training Philosophy
What Is Reactivity and How We Treat This Behavior
Reactivity is a dog’s response to the presence of a person, another dog, or a stimulus such as a passing vehicle, characterized by barking, pulling, or lunging. This behavior can escalate quickly and get worse if not addressed from a young age. Fortunately, reactivity can be effectively treated through behavior modification training. We provide luxury dog training services, serving Kansas City, St. Louis, and Nashville.
For over 20 years, we have effectively addressed reactivity in dogs through science-based training methods. This includes the use of classical conditioning and positive reinforcement to long term success from training.
All of our programs are personalized to meet the unique needs of your dog, their behavioral history, and your training goals. After analyzing the Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior and meeting with you over virtual consultations, Dr. Kristyn Echterling-Savage will create a personalized treatment plan to address your dog’s reactivity and teach relevant obedience commands.
Benefits of Reactivity Dog Training
In this program, we will assess your dog’s behavioral history, your training goals, and your dog’s unique needs. We will then create a personalized program to effectively treat your dog’s reactivity.
We utilize science-based training methods, including classical and operant conditioning. Our training focuses on providing lifestyle restoration by addressing reactive behaviors, teaching socialization skills, good manners, and high-level obedience commands. We want you to be able to take your dog out for a walk at Loose Park without them barking and lunging at other people and dogs, and spending time outdoors with family and friends without your dog barking.
Training will take place both at home and throughout the Tampa Bay area, which allows us to teach your dog in the best environments for their specific needs, and to generalize skills across these environments. This will allow your dog to be more comfortable and prevent reactivity behaviors from worsening as your dog gets older.
Our training environments can include parks, hiking trails, shopping areas, and your home. Our training addresses reactive behaviors, including leash reactivity through parks, and reducing barking at strangers seen through the windows at home.
By teaching your dog to be comfortable in the presence of others and to be on their best behavior, you will be able to take your dog into previously stressful environments. This includes helping your dog to be comfortable at veterinary and grooming appointments.
Training Programs
We offer a virtual training package with one-on-one meetings with Dr.Echterling-Savage, our resident Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB). Dr.Echterling-Savage is one of only a few Board Certified Behavior Analysts who work in Applied Animal Behavior and one of approximately 50 CAABs in the country. With decades of experience that includes the publication of research papers on canine behavior, Dr. Echterling-Savage is at the forefront of her field, making her consultations a rare and invaluable opportunity for those seeking transformative results.
Dr. Echterling-Savage will meet with you virtually to discuss your dog’s reactive behavior, where she will develop an individualized training plan that meets your dog’s specific needs. Following your first meeting, Dr. Echterling-Savage will provide ongoing guidance and troubleshoot reactivity scenarios that ensure consistent progress in your dog’s training. This program runs for four weeks for mild cases and six weeks for moderate or severe cases.
This personalized board and train retreat focuses on addressing dog reactivity behaviors that can include growling, barking, biting, or lunging towards:
Depending on the distance from Tampa Bay, travel may be complimentary or require a small additional cost.
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.” Research shows that dogs learn better when trained across a variety of environments with different distractions, as this helps them generalize their skills. Our personalized training programs are taught in the home and in public areas, including parks, hiking trails, and farmers’ markets.
Training methods we use to treat reactivity include operant conditioning, which uses consequences and reinforcement to shape behavior, and classical counterconditioning, which uses positive associations to reduce reactive responses and manage triggers.
Our personalized training programs use scientifically proven training methods to address reactive behaviors in dogs. This includes a study titled “Effects of Caregiver-Implemented Aggression Reduction Procedure on Problem Behavior of Dogs” that was published by our co-founder and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), Dr. Kristyn Echterling-Savage.
During our Board and Train Program, your dog will be trained by leading experts in the field, while staying 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 hands-on experience teaching high-level obedience commands and addressing problem behaviors in dogs, including severe reactivity behaviors—Dr. Echterling-Savage also mentors and trains Beyond the Dog’s trainers.
Sean Savage is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) and Certified Professional DogTrainer – Knowledge Assessed (CDPT-KA). He has over 20 years of experience addressing behavioral challenges, teaching high-level obedience commands, and encouraging good manners.
Shelby Shipp is a dog trainer who supports our board and train programs. Before joining Beyond the Dog, Shelby worked as a veterinary assistant while completing her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. She has experience training dogs in obedience and manners, and addressing complex problem behaviors.
Our trainers work together to ensure your dog achieves exceptional results through personalized programs that use scientifically proven and effective training methods. While staying at their home in Tampa Bay, your dog will be part of the family, enjoying training sessions, playtime, and downtime.
Before beginning this training program, you will submit your completed “Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior” so that we can better understand your dog’s behavioral history and how to most effectively address problem behaviors and teach high-level obedience commands. Dr. Echterling-Savage will then meet with you over a virtual consultation to discuss your training goals, any concerns that you have, and to complete a personalized training plan for your dog.
Sean Savage will then come to your home to pick up and transport your dog to their home in Tampa Bay, Florida. While traveling to their home, your dog’s comfort and safety are our priority, with your dog either staying in the cabin with Sean during flights, or being in the car with him.
Your dog will then stay at their home for four weeks, while living as part of the family with dedicated training and leisure time. Training will occur both at home and throughout Tampa Bay, including parks, trails, shopping areas, farmer’s markets, and dog-friendly beaches to practice obedience commands, address reactivity behaviors, and to develop socialization skills.
Throughout the four-week retreat, you will have regular correspondence via phone, email, progress reports, and videos. At the end of the program, Dr. Echterling-Savage or Sean Savage will bring your dog back home, where your dog will have 4.5 hours of return and follow-up lessons. These lessons will teach you how to manage your dog’s newly learned skills, reinforce desired behaviors, and ensure long-term success in treating your dog’s reactivity.