In-home and virtual training for reactive and aggressive dogs across New Hampshire.
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Lunges, barks, or growls at people or other dogs
Reacts suddenly on leash or around specific triggers
Struggles to calm down once aroused or overstimulated
Seems unpredictable or constantly “on edge” in certain situations
Displays escalating warning behaviors like snapping or air biting
Is manageable at home but difficult in public or unfamiliar environments
If so, you’re not alone — and this behavior is more common than many owners realize.
Reactive and aggressive behaviors don’t come from a dog being “bad” or dominant. They’re often the result of overwhelming emotion combined with a lack of impulse control and regulation. With the right approach, these patterns can be changed, and many dogs go on to live calmer, safer, and more predictable lives.
Reactive and aggressive behavior isn’t about dominance, stubbornness, or a dog trying to “take control.” In most cases, it’s driven by overwhelming emotion or impulse and a lack of regulation. When a dog doesn’t have the ability to slow themselves down internally, reactions escalate quickly — often faster than anyone can intervene.
Many dogs labeled as aggressive are actually operating in a constant state of stress. Triggers stack, arousal builds, and without strong impulse control, that pressure spills out as barking, lunging, snapping, or biting. Addressing the behavior alone, without addressing regulation, often leads to short-term suppression rather than real improvement.
This is why one-size-fits-all solutions and punishment-based approaches so often fail. They may interrupt behavior temporarily, but they don’t teach a dog how to remain calm, predictable, and safe when stress shows up. In some cases, they make reactions more volatile over time.
Our approach focuses on building regulation first. By strengthening impulse control and emotional regulation, dogs gain the ability to stay engaged and responsive even in challenging situations. As regulation improves, reactions decrease, decision-making improves, and behavior becomes more stable and manageable — not just during training, but in everyday life.
Initial Assessment
We start by understanding your dog’s triggers, environment, history, and current responses so we can identify where regulation and impulse control break down.
Custom Training Plan
From there, we create a personalized plan focused on impulse control, emotional regulation, and safety in real-world situations.
Structured Exposure & Skill-Building
Dogs are guided through carefully planned scenarios that build tolerance and control without overwhelming them or suppressing behavior.
Ongoing Owner Coaching & Support
We provide clear guidance and feedback so you always know how to handle situations and support calmer behavior between sessions.
Long-Term Stability & Safety
Our goal is lasting improvement — helping dogs respond with greater predictability and control as environments and routines change.
Free 15–20 minute phone call
Our reactive and aggressive dog training programs are designed to provide structure, clarity, and support throughout the process — not just during training sessions. Each program is customized to the dog and household, based on behavior history, triggers, environment, and safety needs.
Rather than relying on short-term fixes or one-time training, our programs allow time to build impulse control, emotional regulation, and reliable responses in real-world situations. Training may include a combination of in-home and virtual sessions, depending on what best supports safety, consistency, and progress.
Between sessions, owners receive clear guidance so they know how to handle situations confidently and consistently. This includes practical strategies for managing triggers, reinforcing calm behavior, and preventing escalation while skills are being built.
Our focus is on steady, meaningful improvement and long-term stability — helping dogs respond with greater predictability and control as environments and routines change, not just temporarily suppressing behavior.
Yes. In many cases, reactive and aggressive behavior can improve significantly, and some dogs go on to experience full resolution of their reactions. Progress depends on factors like history, consistency, and environment, but with the right approach, meaningful and lasting change is very achievable.
Yes. We regularly work with dogs that have shown escalating warning behaviors or have a bite history. Training is always approached thoughtfully, with safety, management, and regulation prioritized so progress happens at a pace the dog can handle.
Safety is a priority in every reactive and aggressive dog training case we work with. Training is designed to reduce risk, prevent escalation, and build more predictable responses over time — not push dogs into situations they aren’t ready for.
We focus on clear structure, thoughtful progression, and owner guidance so everyone involved understands how to manage situations safely while skills are being built.
Behavior change doesn’t happen overnight, especially when reactions are driven by stress and emotion. While progress often begins early, lasting improvement comes from allowing enough time to build regulation, reliability, and safe responses rather than rushing results.
Medication decisions should always be made in consultation with a veterinarian. In our experience, many reactive and aggressive behaviors can be improved or resolved without medication through well-structured behavior modification focused on regulation and impulse control. When medication is used, it should support training — not replace it.
Yes. In addition to separation anxiety, we work with a range of behavior concerns including reactivity, fear-based behaviors, leash issues, and impulse control challenges. You can learn more about our full range of services on our dog training programs page.
Free 15-20 minute phone call
