Reactive Dog Training
in Grand Rapids, MI
Compassionate, force-free help for dogs who struggle on leash.
If your dog barks, lunges, growls, or "loses it" when they see another dog, a stranger, a bike, or a skateboard, you are not alone and you are not failing as a pet parent. Reactivity is one of the most common challenges I see, and it's also one of the most misunderstood.
As a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) with a Master's degree in Education (M.Ed.), I've worked with many clients with reactive dogs to help their families build a stronger bond, acquire new coping skills, and how to channel their big feelings positively.
Why Work With Me?
In my experience, reactivity isn't about a "bad dog" or a stubborn dog. Reactivity is often rooted in fear, frustration, overstimulation, or a lack of coping skills. I combine my training certification with my education background to create sessions that are:
- Force-Free & Fear-Free We will never use physical force or intimidation. Instead, we use positive reinforcement, management, and clear communication with your dog.
- Rooted in LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) My methods are endorsed by leading professional organizations including CPDT, APDT, and IAABC.
- Customized to Your Dog Every reactive dog has a different trigger threshold, history, and learning style. Your plan will be built around yours.
- Education-Focused My goal is to help train both you and your dog. I want you to understand the "why" behind every game and technique we practice together.
What Causes Leash Reactivity?
Reactivity can stem from a variety of underlying causes. In my work, I've seen behavior rooted in:
- Fear or anxiety around unfamiliar dogs, people, or environments
- Past negative experiences (a bad encounter with another dog, etc.)
- Lack of early socialization
- Frustration from wanting to greet but being restrained by the leash
- Genetics or breed tendencies toward heightened alertness
- Pain or discomfort that lowers a dog's tolerance for stress
Understanding the root cause of your dog's reactivity is the first step toward supporting real, lasting change.
Private, 1:1 In-Home Sessions
Group classes aren't always the right fit for a reactive dog — and that's okay. I offer private, one-on-one training sessions held in your home (or another location we agree on together), so your dog can learn in the environment where they actually live, walk, and encounter their triggers.
Working in your home and neighborhood means:
- Training happens in real-world conditions your dog encounters every day
- No stressful car rides or unfamiliar facilities to add to your dog's arousal
- I can observe your home setup, routines, and local walking routes to tailor a plan that fits your life
- You get personalized coaching in the spaces where you need it most
What to Expect From Each Session
Each 60-minute session includes hands-on practice, education, and troubleshooting. Depending on where you are in your journey together, sessions may include:
- Assessing your dog's specific triggers and threshold distances
- Teaching foundational skills like engagement, disengagement, and pattern games
- Practicing loose-leash walking and calm passing of triggers
- Counter-conditioning and desensitization techniques
- Equipment recommendations — harnesses, leashes, and management tools
- Real-time coaching on body language — both yours and your dog's
- Homework and training plans tailored to your family
Choose the Support Level That's Right for You
All sessions are 60 minutes and take place in your home (or another location we agree on together). Payment plans are available for multi-session packages.
Multi-Session Package Bonuses
When you invest in a multi-session package, you'll also receive:
- Unlimited email/text support between sessions for questions and celebrating wins
- Videos of behaviors practiced in session so you can review techniques at home
- Video and text submission for feedback — send clips of your dog's progress for personalized guidance between visits
Real Progress Takes Time — and That's Okay
Reactivity isn't "fixed" overnight. There are a lot of puzzle pieces to reactivity, and it takes time to build these skills as a team. We look at the whole dog and assess for breed-specific enrichment outlets, decompression preferences, pattern game reinforcers, and more — to help you and your dog make progress toward your goals.
Many of my clients see meaningful shifts in their dog's behavior within the first few sessions: calmer responses to triggers, faster recovery time after a reaction, and owners who feel more confident and less anxious on walks.
You Don't Have to Keep
Dreading Every Walk
With patient, science-based, force-free training, real progress is possible — for both you and your dog.
Schedule Your First Session