You Don't Have To Live Like This.
Calm Is Possible.
Reactivity Training in Kitchener–Waterloo–Cambridge.
What Is Reactivity?
Reactivity isn’t “bad behaviour” — it’s an emotional overflow.
It happens when a dog feels unsafe, overwhelmed, excited, frustrated, or unsure how to handle something in their environment.
This can look like barking, lunging, pulling, whining, freezing, biting, or picking fights.
None of it is about dominance or stubbornness — it’s your dog saying, “I can’t handle this.”
Reactivity can show up on walks, at the window, at the door, or when visitors are around.
And because your dog’s nervous system reacts faster than they can think, it can feel sudden, intense, and completely out of your control.
The good news?
Reactivity is highly responsive to the right support, calm routines, and training that teaches dogs how to feel safe, not just how to “behave.”
Types Of Reactivity?
Leash Reactivity
When the leash limits movement, pressure builds — and bursts as barking or lunging.
Dogs who are friendly off-leash may react strongly when they can’t choose how to approach, sniff, or move away.
​People-Directed Reactivity
Unfamiliar people — in public or at home — trigger uncertainty, fear, or territorial instinct.
This may be broad (“any stranger”) or specific to appearance, movement, or context.
Dog-to-Dog Reactivity
Other dogs trigger big feelings — frustration, uncertainty, or protective instincts.
Some dogs are selective: calm with familiar friends but reactive to specific sizes, breeds, or play styles.
Barrier Reactivity
Windows, fences, and gates block your dog’s ability to explore or retreat, so frustration explodes at the trigger.
Because the trigger always leaves, the barking feels “successful,” reinforcing the cycle.
Resource-Based Reactivity
Your dog reacts when someone approaches their valued items or people.
This isn’t dominance — it’s emotional safety. Guarding behaviours are early communication, not misbehaviour.
Motion & Noise Reactivity
Fast movement or sudden sounds activate the chase or startle reflex.
Bikes, kids running, skateboards, vacuums, or storms can all spike arousal instantly.
Environmental & Context Reactivity
Sometimes it’s the environment itself — crowds, vet clinics, nighttime walks.
New or unpredictable settings raise arousal, lowering your dog’s threshold.
Household Reactivity
& Guarding
$1,750
Duration: 8 weeks
For: Dogs who struggle with barking, guarding, or reactivity toward visitors, sounds, or movement within the home or yard.
This program is ideal for families who need professional support rebuilding calm and safety in predictable contexts where triggers can be recreated safely several times a week.
Your trainer handles the structured work during the week, ensuring your dog practices calm recovery and communication under threshold, while you learn how to maintain those results with confidence and clarity.
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Program Structure:
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3 × 60-minute Day-Training sessions per week
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1 × 60-minute Coaching session per week
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3 On-Demand troubleshooting sessions available after program completion (usable within 2 months)
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Weekly online Q&A drop-ins (optional)
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Weekly written or video recaps for consistent feedbac
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Focus:
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Reduce barking, guarding, and in-home reactivity through predictable exposure and recovery
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Create calm routines for greetings, movement, and noise sensitivity
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Rebuild trust and communication between dog and guardian
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Teach handlers to identify and diffuse early signs of stress before escalation
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Why it works:
Reactivity thrives on unpredictability.
Frequent, controlled sessions provide your dog with safe opportunities to rehearse calm behaviour instead of panic.
By managing exposures professionally and guiding you through real-life routines, we replace fear with understanding — creating a household that feels safe again for everyone.
Environmental & Social Reactivity
$2,100
Duration: 12 weeks
For: Dogs with fear-based, leash, dog-to-dog, or dog-to-people reactivity.
This program is ideal for families who want lasting behavioural change through consistent, professional handling and clear communication between dog and guardian.
Your trainer works hands-on four times a week to install calm, predictable responses, while you learn how to transfer that progress into your daily routines with confidence.
​
Program Structure:
-
4 × 60-min Day-Training sessions per week
-
1 × 60-min Coaching session per week
-
3 On-Demand troubleshooting sessions available after program completion (usable within 2 months)
-
Weekly online Q&A drop-ins (60 min)
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Weekly recaps and progress tracking
​
Focus:
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Reduce fear, leash reactivity, and social outbursts
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Build safety and predictability in changing environments
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Strengthen recovery skills and handler orientation
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Support calm generalization and emotional resilience
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Why it works:
Fear and social reactivity require massive repetition under threshold and controlled generalization across environments.
Four professional sessions per week ensure steady progress without the emotional “resetting” that happens when sessions are too far apart.
The additional troubleshooting sessions prevent relapse — especially important since reactivity relapse rates can exceed 60% if not maintained.
This consistent rhythm allows the three pillars of behaviour change to unfold naturally: safety, new associations, and resilience.
