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Dates: October 27, November 3, November 10, and November 17
Time: Saturdays at 7:00 AM
Duration: 4 Weeks
The holidays are exciting for us, but for many dogs they can be overwhelming.
Guests coming and going, disrupted routines, decorations, travel, family gatherings, and increased activity can make even the most well-intentioned dog struggle. For dogs that already experience big feelings about the world around them, the holiday season can feel like one giant trigger stack.
Whether your dog barks, lunges, fixates, vocalizes, shuts down, or becomes overwhelmed around people, dogs, movement, or new environments, this class is designed to help both ends of the leash better understand what is happening and how to work through it.
This is not a socialization class. Dogs will not be greeting one another. Instead, we will focus on helping dogs learn how to feel safer, make better choices, and navigate the world without feeling responsible for everything happening around them.
A Sneak Peek Inside the Group Class Curriculum
Week 1: "My Dog Isn't Giving Me a Hard Time. They're Having a Hard Time."
Before we can help our dogs, we need to understand them.
If you've ever wondered why your dog seems perfectly fine one moment and completely overwhelmed the next, this week is for you. We'll discuss what reactivity actually is, why it happens, and how stress can build long before the barking, lunging, or shutdown occurs.
We'll cover:
Understanding reactivity and what it is (and isn't)
Identifying your dog's triggers
Learning stress signals and body language
Recognizing trigger stacking
Building management strategies that prevent rehearsal
Week 2: "Can We Please Keep Our Brain Online?"
Many reactive dogs struggle because their emotions take over before they have a chance to think.
This week focuses on helping dogs stay connected to their handlers before they reach the point of overwhelm. You'll learn how to recognize when your dog is approaching threshold and what to do before things unravel.
We'll cover:
Engagement around triggers
Creating successful distance
Teaching dogs how to disengage
Recognizing threshold before it is crossed
Building confidence and predictability
Week 3: "The Art of Minding Your Own Business"
The goal is not for your dog to love everyone.
The goal is for your dog to learn they don't need to have an opinion about everything.
Whether it's another dog, a passing jogger, a stroller, or your Aunt Susan showing up unexpectedly for Thanksgiving dinner, we'll focus on helping dogs learn how to exist around distractions without feeling responsible for them.
We'll cover:
Neutrality around dogs, people, and movement
Advocacy skills for handlers
Environmental management
Pattern games and confidence building
Helping dogs make calmer decisions
Week 4: "Holiday Survival With Big Feelings"
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means guests, food, excitement, travel, and a whole lot of opportunities for dogs to feel overwhelmed.
During our final week, we'll put everything together and focus on practical strategies that will help both dogs and owners navigate the upcoming holiday season with more confidence and less stress.
We'll cover:
Guests entering the home
Managing holiday gatherings
Preventing overstimulation
Creating safe spaces and decompression opportunities
Building a realistic plan moving forward
This class is designed to provide owners with practical tools, realistic expectations, and a better understanding of the dog in front of them. Progress is not measured by perfection. Progress is measured by helping dogs feel safer, more confident, and more capable of navigating the world around them.
All equipment and training tools are welcome. Training should fit the individual dog and handler team. If you have questions regarding equipment, I'm happy to help guide you.
Small group format • Limited to 5 teams
Dates: October 27, November 3, November 10, and November 17
Time: Saturdays at 7:00 AM
Duration: 4 Weeks
The holidays are exciting for us, but for many dogs they can be overwhelming.
Guests coming and going, disrupted routines, decorations, travel, family gatherings, and increased activity can make even the most well-intentioned dog struggle. For dogs that already experience big feelings about the world around them, the holiday season can feel like one giant trigger stack.
Whether your dog barks, lunges, fixates, vocalizes, shuts down, or becomes overwhelmed around people, dogs, movement, or new environments, this class is designed to help both ends of the leash better understand what is happening and how to work through it.
This is not a socialization class. Dogs will not be greeting one another. Instead, we will focus on helping dogs learn how to feel safer, make better choices, and navigate the world without feeling responsible for everything happening around them.
A Sneak Peek Inside the Group Class Curriculum
Week 1: "My Dog Isn't Giving Me a Hard Time. They're Having a Hard Time."
Before we can help our dogs, we need to understand them.
If you've ever wondered why your dog seems perfectly fine one moment and completely overwhelmed the next, this week is for you. We'll discuss what reactivity actually is, why it happens, and how stress can build long before the barking, lunging, or shutdown occurs.
We'll cover:
Understanding reactivity and what it is (and isn't)
Identifying your dog's triggers
Learning stress signals and body language
Recognizing trigger stacking
Building management strategies that prevent rehearsal
Week 2: "Can We Please Keep Our Brain Online?"
Many reactive dogs struggle because their emotions take over before they have a chance to think.
This week focuses on helping dogs stay connected to their handlers before they reach the point of overwhelm. You'll learn how to recognize when your dog is approaching threshold and what to do before things unravel.
We'll cover:
Engagement around triggers
Creating successful distance
Teaching dogs how to disengage
Recognizing threshold before it is crossed
Building confidence and predictability
Week 3: "The Art of Minding Your Own Business"
The goal is not for your dog to love everyone.
The goal is for your dog to learn they don't need to have an opinion about everything.
Whether it's another dog, a passing jogger, a stroller, or your Aunt Susan showing up unexpectedly for Thanksgiving dinner, we'll focus on helping dogs learn how to exist around distractions without feeling responsible for them.
We'll cover:
Neutrality around dogs, people, and movement
Advocacy skills for handlers
Environmental management
Pattern games and confidence building
Helping dogs make calmer decisions
Week 4: "Holiday Survival With Big Feelings"
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means guests, food, excitement, travel, and a whole lot of opportunities for dogs to feel overwhelmed.
During our final week, we'll put everything together and focus on practical strategies that will help both dogs and owners navigate the upcoming holiday season with more confidence and less stress.
We'll cover:
Guests entering the home
Managing holiday gatherings
Preventing overstimulation
Creating safe spaces and decompression opportunities
Building a realistic plan moving forward
This class is designed to provide owners with practical tools, realistic expectations, and a better understanding of the dog in front of them. Progress is not measured by perfection. Progress is measured by helping dogs feel safer, more confident, and more capable of navigating the world around them.
All equipment and training tools are welcome. Training should fit the individual dog and handler team. If you have questions regarding equipment, I'm happy to help guide you.
Small group format • Limited to 5 teams
