A program for dogs with special needs

Do you worry about your dog? Do you know that your dog is incredibly lovable, but worry because you see them having bouts of anxiety or agitation/aggression or other emotional pain?

Help is right here. It is called Step-UP Socialization.

How do we know this? Because so many owners have come to us deeply concerned with the behavior of their dog. And because, through Step-UP Socialization, so many of those dogs have blossomed into happy members of our cageless community. They have then become better adjusted at home and in public.

Step-UP Socialization is a structured behavior shaping program. It is customized to the needs of each individual dog. In this program we provide additional leadership, nurture and guided socialization that these dogs need to change and heal.

In our classes, anxious dogs acquire confidence that dispels anxiety. Dogs that trembled or hid, even peed, whenever they saw a stranger become confident and trade fear for joie de vivre.

Dogs that appear aggressive learn socially acceptable ways to greet and play. Emotional pain is supplanted with trust. They give up counter-productive behaviors in order to focus on behaviors that win them playmates and friends.

Very often, we are able to show owners that their dog's problem is driven by fear of the unfamiliar or poor choices the dog is making in social behaviors. We are also able to show them that these can be changed through a structured program.

If you have a dog with special needs and would like dog classes, we can help. You can have a happier dog that is more fun to live with. Contact us at 703-566-1166.