Reactive & Aggressive Dog Training, Salt Lake City

Every dog’s unique depending on their breed, age, and life experiences. At Sit Means Sit, we understand that training might be more work for dog owners struggling with challenging behaviors like aggression or reactivity. Whether your dog developed behavioral issues from a lack of puppy or obedience training, our expert dog trainers are committed to helping you improve your dog’s behavior with amazing training techniques and behavioral modification. What sets our professional trainers apart from other trainers is that they will develop a customized training plan to change your pup’s dangerous behaviors. Whether it is your first dog or for a family managing two dogs, we are excited to use training to turn Fido into your dream dog!

Experienced Dog Trainers

Our expert trainers at Sit Means Sit offer many classes and dog training programs. We provide top-notch training classes in Salt Lake for all dog and human teams. Puppy and obedience training are important for the well-being of your family canine by training them to get along with other dogs, new people, plus other important life social skills and manners.

Dog owners worried about their dog’s behavior might be interested in the reactive and aggressive dog training programs taught by our staff. The goal is to create a strong relationship based on confidence and trust, giving clients the security they need to take their pup safely out in public. Dogs with aggression or reactivity can join our doggy boot camp, where we work on the following behaviors:

• Stop barking
• Behavior issues
• Public settings
• When your dogs destroy things
• Fighting off bad habits like aggression, jumping, and barking
• Separation anxiety
• Leash -pulling
• Aggression towards other animals

We help your dog change their challenging behaviors using gentle training methods and positive reinforcement. Most owners notice a difference soon after pick-up when they are relaxed and calm in the family home. We also provide owners with ongoing support throughout the training process so your dog continues with their success. Contact us today to sign up for doggy boot camp!

Example Dog Training Program for Aggressive Dogs

Our dog training boot camp is usually the best option for dogs struggling with separation anxiety or aggressive and reactive dogs. We focus on basic commands, positive reinforcement, and behavior modification to help your dog move forward with confidence. There are other behaviors we might work on with pets in the day training sessions as well. Please check out all of the training options we offer!

However, boot camp is the most efficient training for clients with serious concerns. While we like to start out with a 5-day training program, your dog might need more training support to change their bad habits. The first 5 days allow our trainers to begin learning about your dog and building a relationship.

By working closely with a trainer to learn obedience and basic commands, your dog will gain helpful skills for getting over bad behaviors. Below we have explained what your dog’s schedule will look like each day while they get the most out of boot camp.

Phase 1

We are excited about our first meeting with your furry friend. While working through any anxiety that might occur during drop-off, our trainers will also observe their body language and start learning about their behaviors.

The success of this first meeting will establish the foundation for a trusting relationship between trainer and dog. Later, the trainer will use behavior modification and basic manners so your dog learns to behave around women, children, strangers, and other animals. But for now, we take things slow so they really understand the new behaviors we are teaching them.

Phase 2

On the second day, we move forward on how to begin training your dog. If your dog exhibits high levels of aggression or reactivity, we might begin muzzle training. This is for the safety of not only the trainer but will also protect the dog as well. From there, we can begin behavior modification and obedience training.

Our obedience program focuses on basic commands such as “heel,” “sit,” and “stay” as well as important leash manners. Not only does this training distract your dog from their triggers, but it also gives them confidence! Let us know if there is anything special we can train.

Phase 3

Once your dog has mastered their new obedience training, we can start to add in off-leash training. Your dog will learn amazing recall, plus be able to focus and listen when they are not tethered to a leash. In safe conditions, our trainers will practice these new manners in dog-friendly areas so your dog can learn to ignore distractions. We want our clients to be able to take their dogs for long walks around your busy neighborhood or on your favorite off-leash hiking trail with the security of knowing they will always come when called!

Phase 4

Using the muzzle as a training tool, we continue to generalize your dog to distractions. We teach them how to behave around other people and dogs, maintaining their focus and not becoming aggressive or reactive. Eventually, your dog will show calm manners while being behaved around former triggers.

Phase 5

As your dog’s boot camp wraps up, we continue to perfect their new good behaviors by practicing their obedience and basic commands. As your dog’s behavior remains consistent, we can take off the collar and see how they react. Eventually, when they go back home with their family, they should have no challenging behaviors and be able to handle any environment despite distractions.

At Sit Means Sit, we focus on positive reinforcement to help all pets, despite their behavioral concerns. This includes puppy training, getting along with other dogs, or a new rescue. Let us help you build a trusting relationship so you have the perfect family pet!