Growly Dog Class - Training & Management for Fear Aggression, Leash Aggression, etc.

Is your dog a Feisty Fido? This class is for dogs in the Seattle area who, for whatever reason, aggressively growl, bark, or lunge at other dogs. Whether your dog is being fearful or angry, this six-week class for aggression at our facility in Seattle will help you manage and train your dog.  If your dog barks but is friendly, you might consider the Barky Dog workshop. If your dog reacts aggressively toward people, then you and your dog will need private behavior sessions with Grisha Stewart or Mireille Baumoel instead of the class.

In the first one-hour session of your Growly Dog class in Seattle, we will meet without dogs to discuss our dog-friendly and practical techniques for modifying and safely managing your dog's reactivity.  We have reactive student dogs come in pairs to sessions 2-4 and then all 6 dogs at sessions 5 & 6.  That means you will attend 6 sessions total: 3 times with your dog and 3 times without your dog. This format allows you to concentrate on learning the skills you will need and also gives you and your dog hands-on practice. As a class, we will discuss the dog's individual aggression/fear problem and do behavior modification activities with the dogs of the day. We are very careful about safety and dogs are kept calm throughout the sessions.

In the Growly Dog class, you will be able to touch base with people who are dealing with the same sort of aggression issues that you are, which can be very comforting.  You don't need to be a 'dog psychologist' to rehabilitate your dog, but it helps to learn how to read dog's body language to make sense of unpredictable aggression. This class will teach you reward-based techniques for minimizing/alleviating your dog's aggression and improving the quality of life for your dog-human family, including how to safely introduce your reactive dog to other dogs. 

Our Growly Dog classes will teach you how to use Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) a technique that developed by the owner of Ahimsa Dog Training, Grisha Stewart, MA, CPDT-KA. BAT is a low-stress way to help your dog gain confidence and social skills. You can use the links here to learn more about this unique, reward-based training method. Our classes use cutting-edge training methods that build confidence. We avoid punishing behavior, which may lead to more unpredictable aggression, and teach the dog what to do to get his/her needs met without aggression.

You will learn skills for teaching your dog to pay attention to you, even when there is another dog present. Includes a FREE book, Behavior Adjustment Training: BAT for Aggression, Frustration, and Fear in Dogs, written by Ahimsa's owner, Grisha Stewart ($17.95 value), a free dog training clicker, a free digital download of our 50+ page Dog Training Handbook, and access to our networking group to help you find other dogs to practice with. During your 6-week class, you can also drop into our ongoing manners classes and regular workshops for free, on a space-available basis (without your dog, except for the Nose Work class for reactive dogs).

Growly Dog Training Class Limit: 6 dogs.