Training Philosophy
Does your dog misbehave on the leash, barking at passersby and other dogs? Do you want to take your dog on calm, enjoyable walks along the Tampa Riverwalk or the Westchase Locale Market? Would you like your dog to be well-behaved and quiet when a guest is at your home? We can help solve these challenges, as aggression and reactivity are common behavioral issues that we address.
Reactivity refers to dogs that display behaviors such as lunging, barking, biting, or growling that are directed toward unfamiliar dogs, small animals, or people. This behavior can happen when your dog notices another dog or person, or it could take place in your home or neighborhood. At Beyond the Dog Tampa Bay, we are experts in treating reactivity and aggression in dogs, applying the latest scientific research in dog behavior modification to achieve lasting results. Beginning with our Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior, refined over 20 years and across five cities, we begin by determining the cause of your dog’s reactivity and how severe the behavior is. This information allows our Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling-Savage, and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Sean Savage to create a detailed training plan to address your dog’s reactivity behaviors.
Training Programs
Our program focuses on correcting and managing reactive and aggressive behaviors in dogs, including:
Beyond the Dog uses our unique behavior modification program to eliminate or reduce dog reactivity and aggression. Our 22-hour Reactive Training Program has been developed by our Co-founder and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling-Savage. Dr. Echterling-Savage conducted a 2015 study demonstrating that behavior modification is highly effective in correcting dog aggression, which has guided our approach using scientifically proven training techniques. Dr. Echterling-Savage explains, “The first step to helping your reactive dog is to determine why your dog is becoming reactive in the first place. Once dog reactivity has been properly identified, it is very treatable!”
Our 22-hour Reactive Behavior Training Program has been developed to treat your dog’s reactive behaviors and provide general obedience training. The program consists of private sessions with our behavior consultant, Sean Savage.
Before training can begin, we ask that you submit your completed “Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior”. This assessment will provide our Co-founders and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling-Savage, and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Sean Savage, with information to design a customized training plan that addresses your dog’s unique challenges.
Sean Savage will conduct private lessons at your home and various locations around the Tampa Bay area, depending on which environments best support your dog’s progress. Training sessions will be scheduled weekly, with each session lasting one hour. The final session of the week will focus on you, teaching you how to reinforce your dog’s learned behaviors. After the training program is completed, follow-up sessions will be scheduled to ensure ongoing success in addressing your dog’s reactive behavior.
Several Insurance providers, including Trupanion, will cover the cost of behavioral training if supervised by a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) or a Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist. Contact your insurance provider to see if they offer reactive dog training coverage.
This program is ideal for reducing or eliminating low-level reactivity concerning one or two distinct stimuli in one or two locations. Does your dog display any of the following behaviors? If so, our Executive Training Program can help address them.
Our team has spent over 20 years studying reactivity in dogs, working with thousands of reactive dogs on leash. Reactivity often emerges as a way for dogs to create distance from other dogs and people. This behavior can be confusing, as many dogs are comfortable meeting strangers and interacting with other dogs when off-leash. Behavior modification has proven highly effective in addressing reactivity, as supported by scientific research from our CAAB, Dr. Echterling-Savage. As Dr. Echterling-Savage explains, “For milder cases of reactivity, a little can go a long way. In my opinion, addressing reactivity is what we do best at Beyond the Dog”.
Our 16-hour Reactive Dog Training Program has been developed to address mild reactive behaviors over a 4 week period, consisting of 16 one-hour sessions. Before the training begins, we ask you to complete our “Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior.” This assessment will provide our Co-founders, Dr. Echterling-Savage, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, and Sean Savage, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, with valuable information to design a personalized training plan that addresses your dog’s reactive behavior.
Sean Savage will work directly with your dog during private one-hour sessions in your home and neighborhood. The location will depend on your dog’s progress and what behaviors need attention. At the final session of each week, you will attend a dedicated session to reinforce the behaviors your dog has learned.
Before starting reactive dog training, please note that several Insurance providers, including Trupanion, will cover the cost of behavioral training when guided by a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) or a Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist. Contact your insurance provider to see if they offer reactive dog training coverage.
This program offers two hours of virtual consultations with Dr. Echterling-Savage to address your dog’s reactivity behaviors. Additionally, it includes a personalized training plan and ongoing support for long-term success.
As one of the few Board Certified Behavior Analysts specializing in Applied Animal Behavior and among only about 50 CAABs nationwide, Dr. Echterling-Savage brings extensive knowledge to each session. Her comprehensive background includes a doctorate in the field, published research on canine behavior modification, and 25 years of hands-on training. Dr. Echterling-Savage will deliver expert guidance to help your dog make lasting improvements with their reactive behavior.
Our Reactive Dog Behavior Modification Package provides two hours of private virtual consultations with Dr. Echterling-Savage, our resident Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB). During your virtual sessions, Dr. Echterling-Savage will assess your dog’s reactive behavior and design a personalized training program that addresses your dog’s needs. After the initial meeting, she will continue to provide support, guiding you through behavior scenarios that promote ongoing progress.
The Resource Guarding Behavior Modification Package is available for $750, including two hours of virtual consultations and ongoing support.