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. We provide luxury dog training services, serving Kansas City, St. Louis and Nashville.
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
Our Touch Sensitivity Puppy Behavior Modification Package offers private virtual sessions 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’s expertise places her at the forefront of her field, providing consultations that are a rare and invaluable opportunity for those seeking transformative results.
Dr. Echterling-Savage will meet with you virtually to discuss your puppy’s touch sensitivity behavior, where she will develop a customized training plan that meets your puppy’s specific needs. Following your first meeting, Dr. Echterling-Savage will provide ongoing support and troubleshoot scenarios that ensure ongoing progress in your puppy’s training. This program runs for four weeks for mild cases and six weeks for moderate or 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.
We use science-based training methods to provide behavioral wellness. Training methods that we use include positive reinforcement, classical conditioning and cooperative care.
Our training focuses on teaching your puppy positive associations with being handled, which will lead to much easier veterinary and grooming visits, a more peaceful household, and making it much easier to handle your puppy.
During our Touch Sensitivity Puppy Training Program, your puppy will live and train with Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Kristyn Echterling-Savage, and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Sean Savage, at their home in Tampa Bay, Florida. During this time, your puppy will also train with our other Florida-based dog trainer, Shelby Shipp.
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 experience teaching dogs obedience commands, manners, and addressing mild to severe fearful behaviors. Dr. Echterling-Savage mentors and trains Beyond the Dog’s trainers.
Sean Savage is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) and Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). With over 20 years of experience training puppy’s, he teaches obedience commands and manners, while addressing a wide range of behavioral challenges including fearful behaviors.
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.
Throughout the four weeks of training, you will be kept updated on your puppy’s progress through correspondence, including virtual meetings, phone conversations, emails, and progress reports.
At the end of the four-week training period, we will take your puppy back to your home and provide 4.5 hours of return and follow-up lessons. These lessons will help achieve lasting results from training and teach you how to manage all your puppy has learned during training.
Before the program begins, Dr. Kristyn Echterling-Savage will meet with you for a virtual consultation, where you can discuss your puppy’s touch sensitivity behavior, your training goals, and any questions that you may have. We also ask that you submit your completed “Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior” questionnaire, so that we can better understand your puppy’s behavioral history.
Dr. Echterling-Savage will then develop a personalized training plan to address your puppy’s fearful behavior, provide obedience training, teach good manners, and support socialization.
Sean Savage, or one of our other trainers, will then pick up and transport your puppy from your home to Tampa Bay, Florida. We always prioritize your puppy’s safety, and during this travel, your puppy will always remain at their trainer’s side, whether it’s in the cabin or travelling in a car.
During the four-week board and train program, your puppy will live and train at the Tampa Bay home of Dr. Echterling-Savage and Sean Savage. Your puppy will be a part of the family, with private training provided throughout the day, along with play and relaxation time.
Training occurs both at home and throughout the Tampa Bay area, so we can most effectively treat touch-sensitivity behaviors and provide high-level obedience training across many different settings. This includes teaching your puppy to be comfortable with different distractions, including a wide range of people, dogs, and other stimuli. Training can occur at home and in public areas, including parks, shopping areas, hiking trails, farmers’ markets, and dog-friendly beaches. Every training session is developed to your puppy’s personal needs and is taught through a private training session, so that your puppy always has the trainer’s full attention.
During the four-week training period, we will keep you updated on your puppy’s progress, which can include virtual meetings, phone conversations, emails, videos, and progress reports.
At the end of the board and train program, we will bring your puppy back home, where we will provide 4.5 hours of return and follow-up lessons. During these lessons, we will teach you all that your puppy has learned, how to manage your puppy’s new skills, and how to achieve long-lasting results from training.