Fear and Anxiety
From Anxious and fearful to Fear-less....
Does your dog struggle to settle when guests visit or growl when your child gets too close? Do they startle at the smallest sound or the sight of a bus? I’ve been in your shoes and know how frustrating isolating it can be. Imagine being able to host guests without drama, take your dog on trips, or enjoy walks free from constant worry.
I have deep empathy for sensitive dogs and their families. My experience with my own sound sensitive dog Maeve’s behavior journey in New York largely shapes how I work with dogs who are sensitive or have big feelings. It takes patience and understanding, and every dog is unique.
If you want to see real, long-term progress, having a solid plan and support is essential. You need both a coach and a cheerleader—and that’s me.”.
If you’re ready to book, just fill out the form at the bottom of the page. If you have any questions not answered here, feel free to schedule a 15-minute, no-obligation call.
The approach
Let’s say your goal is to stop your dog from pulling on the leash when startled, barking at visitors, or enjoy a peaceful brunch at a restaurant together. Instead of just focusing on tasks like polite leash walking or staying quiet, we’ll work on the essential life skills your dog needs to handle these situations—skills like self-soothing, emotional regulation, resilience, and relaxation. These abilities are crucial for dogs to thrive in a human-centered world and will help them manage challenges beyond the immediate moment.
Imagine toddlers learning to share, handle frustration, develop patience, and sleep on their own. It’s the same for your dog. Make sense, right?
You and your dog will learn new behaviors and practice teamwork, preparing you for any situation that comes your way. For some, this might require a small shift in perspective, but the great news is that you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your dog and discover new ways to connect as you work towards your goals.
How will we work on this?
Virtual behavior training is perfect for working with fearful and anxious dogs. If you’re new to online appointments, you might think that your trainer or behavior consultant needs to visit your home to be effective. That’s not the case. Even if we were to meet in person, we would still focus on and practice the foundational behaviors and skills you and your dog need to learn before venturing out into the world. Here are some advantages and benefits of virtual behavior training appointments to consider. (the terms virtual, online training, and coaching are used interchangeably here):
- Online appointments allow you and your dog to learn in a calm, familiar environment, increasing learning and retention. Having a stranger in your home may be difficult for fearful dogs initially.
- More cost-effective and flexible than in-home appointments, eliminating travel time and fees, and avoiding weather or COVID-related cancellations.
- Shorter wait lists for appointments.
- Easy scheduling means quick intervention and prevents undesirable or unsafe behaviors from becoming ingrained.
- We’ll be able to work together, even if you live in an area I can’t get to in person.
- You will be your dog’s handler from the start, fostering a stronger partnership between you and your dog.
- Family members can participate from different locations, ensuring no one misses training sessions.
- We can review home assignment videos together, catching important body language and details missed in real-time.
- Allows us to fine-tune essential skills before introducing triggers, resulting in more efficient training.
- Transitioning to in-person training becomes easier once essential skills and concepts are in place.
- I’ll get more authentic information from your dog, as I’ll be able to observe them without being in their environment.
- Safety measures such as muzzle conditioning can be addressed virtually, saving time and enhancing safety.
- Empowers you to actively participate in the training process, equipping you with necessary skills.
Initial consultation: assessment of training needs and goals. $350
Once we have scheduled a time, I will send you some questions about your dog to answer before the initial meeting. The questions will cover your dog’s problem behaviors, personality and preferences, health, previous training history, routines, etc. During the initial consultation we’ll discuss your training goals and the strategies we’ll will use to achieve them. You will receive initial recommendations for management and training, as well as an overall behavior training plan and assessment. If you choose a training program after the consultation, this initial meeting will be included in the program. The consultation lasts 1½ to 2 hours, takes place via Zoom, and can be a one-time appointment.
Stand alone 60 minute follow up appointments can be added for $225.
Training Plans
Fear Fading Foundations
A Six-Session Program for Anxiety Relief.
- An initial assessment of training and behavioral goals, with management, safety, and first steps training recommendations. This appointment is 90 minutes long and conducted virtually.
- Five 60-minute virtual follow-up appointments.
This plan provides you with a clear strategy for managing and reducing your dog’s fear and anxiety.
You and your dog will acquire and practice essential skills for navigating trigger situations, and you’ll learn ways to help your dog decompress and process stress, fear, and anxiety. We’ll also map out next steps.
From Fight or Flight to Fortitude
A ten-session program for anxiety and fear relief, resilience and confidence building, and real life skills.
- An initial assessment of training and behavioral goals, with management, safety, and first steps training recommendations. This appointment is 90 minutes long and conducted virtually.
- Nine 60-minute virtual follow-up appointments.
- Access to weekly online client support office hours for the duration of the program.
This program offers a clear strategy for managing and alleviating your dog’s fear and anxiety.
You and your dog will acquire and practice essential skills for navigating trigger situations, and you’ll learn ways to help your dog decompress and process stress, fear, and anxiety. We will help your dog gain better communication and coping skills through exercises, behaviors, and games that will boost confidence on both ends of the leash, that prepares you for applying your newfound skills in real life.
The program will be customized to your specific training goals.
Farewell to Future Fear
An Advanced Fifteen-Session Anxiety Treatment Plan
- An initial assessment of training and behavioral goals, with management, safety, and first steps training recommendations. This appointment is 90 minutes long and conducted virtually.
- Fourteen 60-minute virtual follow-up appointments.
- Access to weekly online client support office hours for the duration of the program.
This program offers everything in the ten session package, and is customized to fit your specific interest and goals.
It is ideal for dogs inherently fearful or anxious dogs who may be working through medicine trials, working with a behavior veterinarian, or have additional challenges that impact their behavior.
It’s also a great option if you’re bitten by the training bug and want to continue to learn ways to deepen your relationship with your dog, and delve further into learning two-way communication with them.
