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If you’ve read anything about Sheila you’ll know she is a reactive dog. In addition to that, she has some other issues including minor resource guarding, and herding behaviors in inappropriate settings. All of these things not only make both of our lives difficult but they also take away from her quality of life. And of course, my number 1 priority is her well-being.
What is reactivity?
In the simplest terms, reactivity in a dog is an over-the-top reaction to outside stimuli. Some dogs are reactive to certain people (like men with hats) others are reactive to other dogs, and some seem to be reactive to everything.
For some dogs, reactivity is related to aggression, other dogs (like Sheila) have fear reactivity. Sheila has some general anxiety and lacks confidence in social situations. She is nervous when meeting new people and dogs and prefers very brief greetings and then plenty of space,
When she doesn’t get that space, whether it’s from a persistent person or a pushy dog, she will find a way to get it. With people that typically means she will cower, try to walk away, or will try to get under my legs. With dogs, if she can’t get the space she needs she may bark, growl, or air snap.
Honestly, this is a pretty appropriate response. She has asked for space by moving away, but the other dog persists, so she essentially “raises her voice” in dog language. But even though it is a valid reaction I would rather help her find the confidence to walk away without engaging. And definitely not “lose her temper” until the situation escalates.
I have done a lot of work with Sheila over the last 4 years and we have definitely seen improvement. But I can recognize the limits of my ability. I need professional dog training.
Enter the Calm Canine Academy
What is Calm Canine Academy?
The Calm Canine Academy is an online dog training team. They focus on humane methods and empowering the dog guardian to learn and work with their dog.
They are based out of the UK and New York with a team of trainers teaching private and group classes. They specialize in separation anxiety, reactivity, fear, and aggression.
Why Calm Canine Academy?
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a dog trainer. Kind of like finding a therapist, you may need to try a few before you find the right one. Having a clear idea of what you’re looking for will help you quickly narrow the search and set you and your dog up for success.
The two main things for me are their training methodology and their credentials.
Training methodology
My belief about training is that it should be as kind and compassionate as possible. I don’t really like labels like positive reinforcement or force free. They feel limiting and don’t fully describe my training and relationship with Sheila, but that’s the best description I have. I don’t punish my dog. I set her up for success. I pay her well for her efforts.
I treat her like a sentient being that is deserving of respect.
And because of that, I am picky about the companies I support, the products I buy, and the trainers I will work with.
Calm Canine Academy is aligned with me and my beliefs about how animals should be treated. They focus on positive reinforcement training and treat dogs with respect.
Credentials
The dog training industry is a hot mess. It lacks regulations, there are so many differing opinions, and some “trainers” are downright abusive. I want a trainer that is experienced, continues to learn and improve, and has a proven record. I’m not saying a trainer HAS to be certified to be great, but for an outsider, it’s good to have those things to look for.
Things like separation anxiety and aggression need a trainer that has specific education on those topics and CCA does. They’re also fear free certified! I love this because so many people in the pet industry might be great with “normal” dogs but aren’t as skilled at working with fearful dogs.
Their website also states that they put 50% of profits toward continuing education and training for their trainers which I think is amazing! As science and our understanding of behavior evolve it’s important for trainers to evolve as well. I love that they are dedicated to growth and staying on top of new information. It reassures me that we are working with Sheila using the most up to date methods.
Women supporting women
I love supporting female-owned small businesses as much as I can. CCA was founded by 3 women and has an amazing team of female trainers. No hate to male trainers but they always seem to get the most attention. There are so many awesome female and non-binary trainers out there that deserve more credit. ANd I love to see them coming together to create a resource for pets and their parents.
Initial consultation
My initial consultation was with Lauren via Zoom. I have plenty of experience with remote meetings but I’ve never had a virtual dog training appointment so this was a first! I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had filled out an intake form and I figured we’d go over that and maybe get more information about their training programs. But I actually got so much more!
The three sections
My consult had 3 sections. The behavior summary, the prognosis, and recommendations.
We went over my intake form and discussed Sheila’s behavior in more detail. I really loved this section! As the guardian of a fearful and reactive dog, it can feel very overwhelming. I carry a lot of guilt about what I might have done wrong raising her. Lauren gave me a lot of insight and reassurance.
We then discussed what Sheila’s behavior means for us and what we can realistically expect from training with CCA. I feel like I have more understanding of dog behavior and training than the average pet parent but I certainly am not a pro and there is so much more for me to know. Having Lauren break this all down in simple terms helped me see the big picture and for the first time in a long time, I felt like things might actually get better!
We then discussed recommendations. I have the option of private or group classes. After my discussion with Lauren, I think a group class will be best for us for now. I prefer to learn in a group setting. I like bouncing feedback off each other and having a sense of community. I’ve always been hesitant to attend group classes in person because of Sheila’s reactivity so I am so excited about a virtual option.
I’m planning on signing Sheila up for their Feisty Fido program! Sheila’s main focus will be her reactivity and confidence but this 8-week class will cover a range of behaviors.
Lauren also gave me a few really great training practices to help us improve our management and start counter-conditioning Sheila. They are simple games but I can already see how they will be beneficial to us.
Moving Forward
I’m so glad I took this step to start working with a professional. I love training with Sheila but as I said, when it comes to behavior and not just basic obedience and tricks, this is beyond my skill level. I’m really looking forward to working more with Lauren and the other trainers.
I’ll be sure to document our experience and Sheila’s (and my) progress.