Obedience training teaches your dog to perform specific cued behaviors, while behavior modification addresses your dog’s reaction to a particular person, place, or thing.

​

A common error is to address a presenting behavior without treating the underlying cause. Eliminating a dog’s aggressive behavior like growling, lunging or shallow bites will not resolve his aggression – it will only suppress the obvious signals. The dog will still experience the same emotions but loses his ability to communicate through warning signals. This is often the case when a dog “bites out of the blue” – he was previously punished for growling.

 

Behavior modification investigates why your dog reacts the way he does, as well as what triggers his response. When we know what is triggering your dog to react and why, we can intervene and address the underlying cause.

 

HOW DO I KNOW WHETHER MY DOG NEEDS OBEDIENCE TRAINING OR BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION?

If you’re interested in training your dog to perform cues like Stay, Come, Heel, etc., then obedience training will help you reach your goals. Behavior modification addresses issues like fearfulness or aggression. R+K9 can help whether your dog needs obedience training, behavior modification, or both!

​​​

It all starts with an evaluation with Connie Moss, IAABC-ADT, LFDM-W. Evaluations are $150 at our facility or $200 at your home. The location will depend on the issue you want to address. 

​

To request an evaluation, please fill out this form.