Reactive Dog
Group Class
7-Week Reactive Dog Training Group Class
Location: Our Braxton, MS Farm
Only minutes from Jackson, MS
Dates: Every Saturday at 11 AM central time
from Oct. 5th - Nov. 16th, 2024
Class limited to only 4 owner/dog teams!
How Do I Know This Class Is For Me & My Dog?
Do you have a dog who barks, growls,& lunges at other dogs or strangers and you aren’t sure where to start with training?
Is the conflicting dog training advice you’re getting overwhelming?
Do you need a place to train your dog with supervised expert guidance?
Do you want to learn skills beyond sit and about your dog’s behavior, needs, and welfare?
Are you ready to step beyond management to start seeing change in your dog’s reactive behaviors?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, this is the reactive dog group class for you!
Join us at our Braxton, MS farm (only minutes from Jackson, MS) in October 2024 for this one-of-kind dog training experience that you and your dog won’t soon forget!
How Will This Class Help Me & My Dog?
Our classes offer you the unique ability to introduce your dog not only in a dog training class setting, but our 11-acre farm with chickens, wildlife, farm sights, staff, and more.
We teach skills you actually need to live with your reactive dog at home. Tried of doing military-style heeling and stay drills you will never use again? We focus on life skills like observing your dog’s behavior, handling skills, and most importantly, developing confidence to navigate the world.
All activities in class will receive personalized feedback from your trainer. Meaning that we will cater our advice to you and your dog’s learning needs.
We focus on teaching owners how to understand and work with their dog - even after class ends. Learning never stops. Therefore, it is extremely important owners know the basics of how to train their own dog to keep the skills fresh at home.
Class is taught by the only dog trainer in Mississippi who is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and holds a Master’s degree in Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare. We will make sure you receive the most up-to-date information on dog behavior and training in an understandable format.
We are empathic and supportive. We know that owning a reactive dog is no easy task. We are here to support you through the ups and downs.
Class Accommodations
Whether you are a senior, disabled, neurodivergent, or just anxious/nervous about class, we hear your specific needs and support you on your training journey. We have years of experience working with a variety of people, a service dog/therapy dog training background, and neurodivergent staff members. If you need accommodations, please let us know before class starts so, we can work together to make sure you have the best experience possible.
Can’t afford class? We understand it’s ruff out there right now. However, the importance of starting proper dog training sooner rather than later doesn’t change. Due to this, we offer several financial assistance options for this class. Please read about our sliding scale program and scholarships for those in urgent need.
Reactive Dog Class Details - Where, How Much, Who, When?
TAUGHT BY? Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA
CLASS START DATE AND TIME? The first class starts Saturday, Oct 5th, 2024 at 11 AM Central Time (course classes run every Saturday for seven weeks straight at 11 AM central time.) Graduation day is Saturday, November 16th, 2024 at 11 AM central.
Class times are subject to reschedule due to inclement weather because this class heavily relies on practice outdoors. Generally, that means adding an additional week onto class on the usual day of the week if we are rained out or the temperature is above 90 degrees or below 40 degrees.
Please plan for this possibility when signing up and reserve a couple of additional Saturdays after the intended graduation date as “reschedule dates”.
There are no additional make-up days as students are provided homework videos to practice at home should they miss class.LOCATION? In-person at our Braxton, MS farm: 726 Pinola Braxton Rd. Braxton, MS 39044 (only a short distance from Jackson, Ridgeland, Florence, Richland, Mendenhall, Meridian, Brandon, Pearl, Flowood, and Madison, MS.)
COST? $300 per dog/person team for the 7-week course (1-hour Reactive Dog Owner Orientation seminar without dogs & six1-hour group classes with dogs, plus a starter training kit & access to pre-recorded homework videos to help you at home. As well as a free copy of our Human Anxiety & Its Impact On Dog Training & Behavior webinar recording.) - limited to 4 dog/owner teams.
Not financially available to you? Please read about our sliding scale program and scholarships for those in urgent need.ORIENTATION? All students are required to attend the 1-hour Reactive Dog Ownership Orientation. This orientation is attended without dogs on Oct. 5th, 2024 at 11 am CT. This orientation can be attend virtually or in-person. Virtual attendance must be logged before Oct. 11th, 2024 and attendance will be confirmed by staff.
Reactive Dog Orientation will cover topics about how to setup your dog for success, what to bring with you to class, handler training exercises, management techniques, best practices for training reactive dogs, and what to do if your dog becomes overwhelmed during class. In-person attendees will get a tour of the Braxton, MS farm. Your training kit will be given to you then.
Orientation must be attended to continue in class and it is not optional. No refunds are issued for class spots wasted by non-attendance of orientation, so schedule wisely.PRE-REQUISITES? Dogs should know some basics like walking on leash, responding to their name, and sit/down and basic recall for best results. All dogs joining this class must be 5 months or older and be up to date on vaccines, up to date on flea and tick prevention, and dewormed in the last six months. Proof of vaccines is required.
While the dogs in class are “reactive” dogs who bark at their triggers, any dogs with bite, attack, or fight histories with humans or animals are not appropriate for this class.
Owners should feel confident they can safely handle their dog in a group setting. Dogs and owners will be set up to succeed, but we do not recommend students with lack of confidence in their handling skills join this class before taking some private sessions beforehand.
Human attendees must be 18+. Students may bring one other person with them to watch the class or assist them. Please let us know in advance, so they can sign the needed paperwork and we can prepare a seat for them.
PLEASE NOTE: This class is for healthy dogs with no significant prior injuries or health concerns.
Required Items For Our Reactive Dog Training Class:
Are you ready for class? Check the equipment list below to be sure!
Low profile dog bed or mat (Needed by week #1)
Regular well-fitted harness or our favorite, the Balance Harness (Needed by week #1: We prefer the harness have both a front and back clip with no martingale-style “anti-pull” mechanisms. Need help conditioning the harness before class? Read here.)
Regular 5 to 6-foot leash (Needed by week #1: No retractable or bungee leashes please. We recommend a soft rope snap leash like these: 1/2 inch for large/med dogs or 3/8 inch for small dogs.)
High-Value Treats and/or Toys (We recommend CloudStar Chewy Tricky Trainers, A Better Treat, or some food from this list your dog really, really likes.) (Needed by week #1)
Poop bags (Needed by week #1)
Water & water bowl (Needed by week #1)
Optional Items:
Treat Pouch (Needed by week #1)
Well-conditioned basket muzzle, if you are working on muzzle training (No nylon/groomers muzzle as they can cause dogs to overheat.)
*Note: This class is taught using positive reinforcement based methods. For safety, no prong/pinch collars, choke chains, slip leads, or e-collars (stim/shock/vibrate/sound) will be allowed in class. Please remove any invisible fence collars before class as well. If you cannot safely handle your dog without these tools, you will be better suited for our private training programs instead. Well-conditioned basket muzzles may be worn if the owner would like additional practice training with a basket muzzle on in a muzzle-welcoming environment.
About Your Dog Trainer:
Lauren Tsao has years of professional hands-on experience working with a variety of dog training cases from puppy training to dog aggression using positive reinforcement-based training methods to get results and foster desirable behavioral changes. Lauren has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare, which she applies to her work with animals and their owners. Additionally, she’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), AKC Approved Level 3 FIT DOG Instructor, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), and Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI). She was voted Mississippi’s #1 Positive Dog Trainer by SniffSpot in 2022. Read more about her here.