Below you’ll find a list of specialized classes that focus on helping dogs that are reactive, fearful, etc. Many of the classes listed here were recommended by Team DINOS , while others are listed here due to a request from a trainer who offers this type of class.
Please keep in mind that every dog is an individual and there are many types of DINOS, so what works for one DINOS family, may not work for another. Almost all of these training centers offer private lessons, so if the classes aren’t the right fit for your dogs, please consider an individual consultation. There are also many, many excellent trainers who do not offer classes. However at this time, only group classes are being listed here.
This list is only intended to be a starting place to help families connect to the various resources that may be available to them in their communities. For more information on choosing a trainer who works with reactive dogs, please see this interview.
Finally, there are quite a few classes listed that are for pit bulls only. These classes exist, not because pit bulls are different from other DINOS, but because pit bull guardians are working extra hard to change public perceptions of our dogs (that’s my little man in the photo!). Many pit bull organizations now offer free or low-cost training classes for that reason.
This list is always expanding, so be sure to check back and if you’d like to recommend a class or trainer please let me know: info@notesfromadogwalker.com
Please note: Being included in this list is not an endorsement by DINOS™ or this website.
ONLINE CLASSES
Animal Building Blocks Academy by Grisha Stewart
Your End of the Lead by Janet Finlay of Canine Confidence
S.A.N.E. Solutions for Challenging Dog Behavior from Kathy Cascade
UNITED STATES
CA Berkeley: BAD RAP Pit Ed Classes (pit bulls only in classes, great training info on website for all dogs)
CA Fresno: Instict Professional Dog Training offers Reactive Dog classes and Treadmill lessons
CA Long Beach: spcaLA offers Inappropriate Agility for dogs that need space from other dogs
CA Sacramento: Chako Pit Bull Rescue & Advocacy offers Reactive Dog classes (pit bulls only)
CA San Francisco: The SF SPCA offers Reactive Rover classes
CA San Francisco: Pawsitive Tails offers Drama Queens & Divas classes for reactive dogs
CA San Mateo: Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA offers Shy Dogs and Bark & Lunge classes
CA San Jose: Marthina McClay, Our Pack offers Pit Bull Training Classes (all dog breeds welcome)
CA San Leandro: Braveheart Dog Training offers Confidence Building for Marshmallows classes
CA Santa Cruz County: Living with Dogs offers Reactive Rover classes
CO Boulder: The Humane Society of Boulder Valley offers a Grumpy Growlers class
CO Denver: Kari Bastyr, Wag and Train offers Reactive Rover class
DC Washington: Spot On Training offers Bully Breed Manners and Reactive Dog classes
DC Washington: Humane Rescue Alliance offers Reactive Dog Class I, II, and III
FL Jupiter: Lucky Dog Sports Club offers Reactive Dog classes
FL Naples: Train Positive offers The Reactive Dog and VIP Pit Bull classes
GA Atlanta: Canine PhD offers Reactive Dog and Reactive Agility classes
IL Oswego: FlyDogs Training offers Rowdy Rover classes
KS Lawrence: Game Dog Guardian, Pit Bull EDU (pit bulls only)
MA Boston area: Vera Wilkinson, The Cooperative Dog, offers Rowdy Rover classes
MA Holbrook: Spring Forth Dog Services offers Reactive Dog class
MA Sharon: Maplewood Dog Training offers Stop. Think. Change class for fearful, reactive, or aggressive dogs
MD Rockville: Your Dog’s Friend offers Reactive Dog Class
ME Bath: Mr. Dog Training offers Reactive Rover class
ME North Yarmouth: Tree Frog Farm offers Confident Canine for shy dogs
ME Portland: Gooddogz Training offers Holy Rollers Class for dogs that are reactive to wheels and BAT clinics
ME Saco: Finish Forward Dogs offers Behavior Modification classes
MN Golden Valley: Animal Humane Society offers Reactive Rover classes (multiple locations)
MN Minneapolis: Fetch Dog Training offers Calm Confident Connected classes
MN Rochester area: Paws Abilities offers reactive Dog/Growl Class
MO Blue Springs: Dog Obedience Group offers Fearful Fido class for dogs afraid of dogs and/or people
MO Liberty: ABC Pet Training offers Stop Over Reacting Dog classes (note: they are not listed on website. Contact for info)
MS Gulfport and Biloxi: Dawgma offers Finding Doggy Zen classes for anxious dogs
MT Missoula: Mackenzie Cole at Sit Happens offers Calm Under Pressure classes
NC Cary: All Dogs Allowed offers reactive dog classes (contact for details)
NJ Belvidere: Pamela Dennison, Positive Motivation Dog Training offers Growl class
NJ North: Fernando Camacho, FernDog, offers Dogs on Location class
NJ Sandyston: Holistic Behavior Solutions offers Reactive Rover classes
NY Brewerton: CNY Pet Training offers Beast on a Leash classes
NY Kingston (and Amenia): Hot Fuzz Dog Training offers Reactive Rover classes
NY New York: Wag the Dog offers Reactive Dog and Control Unleashed classes
PA Carlisle: Fieldwood Training Center offers a Reactive Dog Class
PA Pittsburgh: Misty Pines offers Growl classes and an Intro to Treadmills class
PA Pittsburg: My Aunt Penny offers classes for Reactive and Fearful/Shy classes.
PA Philadelphia: Carol Siegrist, Dog Training in the City offers Reactive Dog classes
OH Bedford Heights: Carol Peter, Cold Nose Companions Dog Training offers a class called Chill!
OH Cincinnati: Training Tracks offers Growly Dog classes
OH Columbus: PosiDog offers Leash Reactivity Rehab
OH Holland: Toldeo Dog Training offers Reactive Rover and Shy Souls classes
OR Portland: Synergy Behavior Services offers Reactive Rover classes
SC Charleston: Lori Willimont Duncan + Cindy Carter of Mindful Manners offer classes for reactive dogs
TX Austin: Buddy’s Chance Dog Training offers a class called FAR (Fearful, Aggressive, Reactive)
TX Austin: Canine Center for Training and Behavior offers Confidence Building for Fearful and Reactive Dogs
TX Houston Dr. Lore Haug offers a Reactive Dog class
TX San Antonio: Karen Pearce Training offers Pit Bull training classes in prep for CGC
UT Holladay: Calling All Dogs offers Feisty Fido and Confident Canine classes
UT Salt Lake City area: A Dog’s Journey offers Reactive Rover classes
WA Kent: Jennifer Schneider of Pick of the Litter Dog Training offers Feisty Fido classes
WA Seattle: Ahimsa Dog Training offers Growly Dog and Troubled Teen classes
WI Mukwonago: For Pet’s Sake offers Shy Dog classes
CANADA
Calgary, AB: ImPAWSible Possible offers Fiesty Fido classes and social club
Red Deer, AB: The Academy offers Reactive Dog classes
Burnaby, British Columbia: Custom Canine Teaching offers help with aggression and other behavior issues
Black Creek, British Columbia: Jane Neve at Canine Conduct offers Growl classes
Nelson, British Columbia: Jeanne Shaw at Love 2 Play offers Reactive Dog classes
Holland Landing, ON: Dogsmart offers Reactive Dog Working Group
Mount Albert, ON: Good as Gold offers Reactive dog classes
Toronto, ON: Toronto Center for Canine Education offer Cranky Canine, Shy Dogs, Frustrated Fidos and other classes
UNITED KINGDOM
Banstead, Surrey, UK: Dog socialization groups offered
Cardiff, South Wales, UK: Cardiff Canine Citizens offers Prickly Pooches classes
Cornwall/Devon, UK: AniManners offers Reactive Dog Rehab (not currently listed on website, please contact)
Edinburgh, UK: Joanne Drysdale offers Reactive Rovers classes
Hednesford, Staffordshire, UK:Sheila Harper Limited offers Reactive Dog classes
Hook, Wootton Bassett, UK: Walkies and Talkies offers Reactive Dog classes
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