Dog reactivity is our specialty and our passion. We can’t wait to help you and your dog enjoy a more peaceful life together!
Living with a dog who has reactivity to other dogs is frustrating, embarrassing, stressful, and exhausting. We know this first hand. We know what it’s like to schedule walks to avoid other dogs, to hide behind cars until your neighbor and their easy-going pup stroll on by, to hold your breath around blind corners, to come home near tears because it’s just so hard.
We know what it’s like, and we know how to help.
Our Dog Reactivity Program
Dog reactivity at its heart is not a behavioral problem: it’s an emotional problem. When your dog sees (or hears!) another dog they have an emotional response that causes them to behave in a certain way. At Birch Bark, instead of only caring about what’s happening on the outside, we shift focus to changing what’s happening on the inside. When your dog no longer experiences extreme fear or rage at the sight of another pooch, their behavior will naturally become calmer.
We know what it’s like, and we know how to help.
“You gave us freedom and confidence. Thank you.”
-Martina, mom to Charlie and Lucy
In addition to changing your dog’s emotional experience of other dogs, we will coach you on:
- Using humane, pain-free equipment
- Leash handling skills for safety and control
- Foundational work to build engagement
- Learning to read your dog’s body language
- How to calm you dog after an incident
- Best practices for prevention
- How to keep yourself calm in stressful situations
“We are so happy that we found you! You have changed our lives tremendously. We can’t ever thank you enough!”
– Heather & Violet, moms to Apollo & Kylo
The Reactivity Program
Step 1: The Consultation
All in-person services will begin with a 90-minute consultation. In this session we will lay the groundwork for success with your dog: we will take an objective look at your dog’s current behavior, the challenges you face, and map out a plan to help you reach your training goals. In addition to planning the “long game” of a training program, we will provide you with some immediate steps you can take to see positive movement in behavior.
Step 2: Private Training
After the initial consultation, we will begin working through your training plan and toward the goals we set together. Training sessions are tailored to suit and support the lives, needs, and learning styles of both humans and dogs. Private training offers individual and customized coaching to help you learn how to read and understand your dog better, build trust in each other, and navigate stressful moments with confidence and grace.
Once we’ve laid the groundwork in private training, you will build on your new foundation in ReactiviTeam sessions.
Step 3: ReactiviTeam sessions
ReactiviTeams are semi-private lessons for no more than 4 dog-handler teams that feature: individual coaching on working with your reactive dog, other dogs to safely practice around, and a supportive community of other pet parents who share your frustrations and goals!
These lessons are not a multi-week class, but open-enrollment style sessions to allow for greater schedule flexibility and the opportunity to work around a greater variety of dogs, with a strict limit on the number of dog/handler teams to ensure plenty of individual attention, space between dogs, and everyone’s success!
| Initial Consult 90 minutes | $240 |
| Private Training sessions 60 minutes | $180 |
| ReactiviTeam sessions 60 minutes | $125 |
Private Training & ReactiviTeam Packages
Packages are always customized to your dog and your needs.
The number of sessions recommended will vary depending on the goals we set together or the severity of the behavior concern. Sessions are typically held weekly or biweekly in your home, with email support and troubleshooting available between sessions.
Samples packages:
| 4 private + 2 Team sessions | $955 $15 savings |
| 8 private + 3 Team sessions | $1740 $75 savings |
“Lindsey is a miracle worker!”
– Sydney, mom to Bruno