Training Philosophy
Resource Guarding Towards People
Has your dog growled or snapped at you when you go to reach for their bone? Have you seen your dog stiffen or exhibit aggressive behavior when they are around food? If your dog is resource-guarding, we can help! Resource guarding can be directed at both people and other pets in the home. Oftentimes, there is confusion or even feelings of betrayal surrounding this behavior as it happens seemingly out of nowhere as there are a wide variety of conditions that bring on this aggressive behavior. Our team uses a unique system involving our Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, our Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior, and our pre-training team to assess and create a personalized treatment plan. Our unique process is one of a kind and specific to Beyond the Dog. Using our system, we’ve treated hundreds of dogs that show aggressive behavior around all different resources from bones to beds around the greater Kansas City area.
Resource Guarding Towards Other Dogs
Is your dog growling, snapping, or attacking your other dog? Does your older dog get territorial over food, toys, or bones whenever your new puppy approaches? Resource guarding towards other dogs in the home can lead to dog fights and other dangerous situations. If have two dogs fighting in the home over resources, our Kansas City in-home dog training program is for you. Led by Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling-Savage, your dog’s behavior will be thoroughly analyzed through the Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior and knowledge of our pre-training team. Through our unique process, we will create a personalized treatment plan for your dog. Our Kansas City in-home dog training programs are scientifically proven to reduce and eliminate dog aggression using a combination of positive reinforcement and classical conditioning. We will teach your dogs specific obedience behaviors to help manage your dogs’ behavior around resources and your other pets.
Training Programs
This Kansas City dog training program is specifically designed to reduce and eliminate resource guarding. Common instances of guarding that we treat include:
Resource guarding in dogs can stem from various factors such as genetics, breed, early upbringing, negative training methods, and interactions with other pets in the household. Unfortunately, if left unaddressed, this behavior tends to escalate. Our trainers utilize a blend of classical conditioning and positive reinforcement to address resource guarding, incorporating specific obedience training to manage your dog’s behavior around valuable items. Research conducted by Mehrkam et al. underscores the effectiveness of function-based treatment, combining classical and operant conditioning, in significantly reducing resource-guarding behaviors in dogs, with results enduring for weeks post-treatment. Through our approach, dogs learn to become less possessive of resources, eagerly anticipating interaction with their caregivers. According to our resident CAAB Dr. Echterling-Savage, “Resource guarding in dogs is a problem behavior that has caused my clients some of the most stress, confusion, and concern. Luckily, with proper function-based training, it is treatable.”
The All-Inclusive Program for Resource Guarding in Dogs 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 dog resource guarding 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.
Want to learn directly from our experts how to manage and reduce your dog’s resource guarding without leaving your couch? In our 1-hour virtual consultations, our CAAB, Dr. Echterling-Savage, or one of our Kansas City behavior consultants under Dr. Echterling-Savage’s direct supervision will provide expert training advice on exactly how to modify your dog’s behavior. After you complete the Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior, we will recommend one or multiple sessions with Dr. Echterling-Savage or with one of our other 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 Kansas City trainers is $150.
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