SPECIALTY BEHAVIOR
Having a dog with serious behavior issues can be a stressful and challenging experience for humans (and dogs). At Dogsmartz, we specialize in working with dogs with serious behavior issues and many of us share our homes with dogs just like yours.
You may feel like you have exhausted all avenues, but we encourage you to speak with us to see how we can help you. With the area’s first Certified Canine Behavior Consultant and Certified Trainers and our extensive background with aggression, fear and anxiety, our expertise is unmatched.
Dogsmartz is the leader in behavior, and we understand behavior. Behavior issues are not obedience issues. Behavior issues are related to many facets including fear and anxiety. Whether your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, dog reactivity (aggressive displays) or has bitten you or someone else, contact us.
Our methodology is science-based, using pain-free and Fear-Free techniques. We believe there is never an instance that you need to inflict pain to train a dog. That is a fallacy that has been debunked by countless ethologists, veterinary behaviorists, and trainers. You may ask why we don’t use equipment such as shock collars, tens collars, prong collars, bark collars, or choke collars? Because they are not necessary and they are used as suppression methods. Suppressing the response to a situation (shock the dog to stop the growl) does not change the reason the dog is reacting. Changes are what a human will see. The behavior still exists, it just does not show itself the way it previously had. So, the risk is that it will resurface in other ways and damage can be done that is unrepairable.
Our strategy is to work as a team with you, your dog, and your veterinarian to develop a plan to manage and/or modify behaviors. We will provide you with an honest evaluation and a clearly defined plan to help you work with your dog. In many instances, private, one-on-one training will be recommended however in certain situations our specialized behavior classes may be most conducive to the issues at hand.
Our goal is to change the way a dog sees a situation where we can. It is important to note that there are some behaviors that must be managed for safety, but our job is to provide you with an honest assessment and a realistic plan.
Behavior issues can be complex and time consuming. Let us help you as you embark on helping your dog live a better life.
If a class is not conducive for you or your dog, we offer private training. Please click here to see what our private training entails.
Call 330-707-4160
or email receptionist@dogsmartzunleashed.com to register.
Refer a friend and receive
a $10.00 off coupon for any class.
Fearful & Shy Dog
Level 1 - Fear of People
6-week class
Cost: $190
This class is designed for dogs that are fearful (shy, timid, apprehensive) with people. We work on teaching your dog how to become comfortable being present with a stranger, approaching and greeting him/her. We do this in a way that allows your dog to move forward or retreat when HE/SHE WANTS to. We teach owners how to read and understand their dogs’ signals. This helps bridge the gap in communication between owners and their dogs. In addition, we work on small confidence building exercises to help your dog's overall confidence throughout the class. It is not uncommon for dogs in this class to repeat it to further their practice and work with strangers.
If your dog is only fearful of dogs, we recommend first evaluating your dog at our facility to determine the best plan for helping your dog. The first class is a REQUIRED two-hour class that is just for humans (the human training!) and the remaining 5 weeks are with dogs, 1 hour per class.
For dogs that are fearful of noises, objects, and environments but not people, we recommend our Confidence Building class.
Effective June 19, 2024: Due to the energy levels and restrictions of these classes, and for general safety, children under the age of 16 are not permitted to attend Get Control or Fearful and Shy classes.
Fearful & Shy Dog
Level 2
4-week class
Cost: $150
This class is for dogs who have completed Level 1 and owners that would like to continue to practice building his/her dog’s confidence with people. Now that they have foundational skills, we can start to push them a little bit further out of their comfort zones by adding in more challenges for each dog’s individual needs; with the potential goal of having barriers at half height by the end of the 4 weeks. This class is limited to 4 dogs.
Effective June 19, 2024: Due to the energy levels and restrictions of these classes, and for general safety, children under the age of 16 are not permitted to attend Get Control or Fearful and Shy classes.
Fearful & Shy
Vet Visits and Handling
7-week class
Cost: $205
This class is for dogs who have gone through Fearful & Shy Dog Level 1 or privates. The vet office can be a scary place, even for dogs who love people! We teach you the practice of cooperative care to make visiting the vet as stress-free and safe as possible. This class will include your very own stethoscope, otoscope, and scratch board so you can continue working with your dog even after class has ended. All dogs are required to have a basket muzzle prior to the start of week one, as we will acclimate your dog to wear one throughout the weeks. By the end of the 6-week class, the instructor will be engaging in mock exams with you and your dog.
Please note: There is a set skip week in between weeks 4 and 5, so the total length of the class is 7 weeks; with class meeting for 6 weeks.
Effective June 19, 2024: Due to the energy levels and restrictions of these classes, and for general safety, children under the age of 16 are not permitted to attend Get Control or Fearful and Shy classes.
Fearful & Shy Dog
Agility and Games
6-week class
Cost: $160
This is a class for Fearful & Shy dogs that have completed Confidence Building Level 1. We will teach them agility at their pace, done in a quiet and controlled manner. We take our time getting them used to the equipment (some designed specifically for fearful dogs). For the first few weeks, dogs will be rotated between pieces of equipment to work on. The last couple of weeks the dogs will get to run their own courses of what they are comfortable with. Please note: this class is quiet and controlled. This is only for dogs that are fearful and shy of people, objects, noises, or environments.
Effective June 19, 2024: Due to the energy levels and restrictions of these classes, and for general safety, children under the age of 16 are not permitted to attend Get Control or Fearful and Shy classes.
Confidence Building
Level 1
6-week class
Cost: $170
Confidence Building is a class for dogs that are apprehensive, unsure, or fearful of objects, surfaces (i.e flooring), obstacles (i.e. stairs), some noises, or general environments. We work to help the dogs by gradually exposing them to surfaces, objects, and obstacles in a way that is fun and safe while also helping them develop great problem-solving and coping skills! This class can make a significant difference in your dog's ability to navigate the world!
If your dog is fearful of people also, we recommend our Fearful and Shy class, first.
If your dog is only fearful of dogs, we recommend first doing an evaluation to determine what is best for your dog. However, we often recommend this class to help your dog become more comfortable.
Confidence Building
Level 2
6-week class
Cost: $170
Confidence Building Level 2 is a continuation of level one and will focus on even more challenging exercises. We will introduce exercises to help your dog problem solve, help with sound sensitivity, and include more balance and obstacle work! Students must have completed Confidence Building Level 1 at DSU.
Outdoor Confidence Building
4-week class
Cost: $149
This is a great class to continue your work on building your dog’s confidence. This class is held outdoors in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. We tackle obstacles outdoors (natural and man-made) and work to find ways to help dogs become more comfortable working outdoors. Climbing and balancing on rocks, backing up on to tree stumps and curbs, interacting with objects in the environment, and more! This is a 4-week class. Confidence Building Level 1 is a pre-requisite for this class.
Reactive Dog
Level 1
6-week class
Cost: $235
This class is for dogs that show reactive behavior (barking, lunging, growling, etc.) towards other dogs and / or humans. All dogs work to develop appropriate skills when seeing other dogs and people.
Please note: An evaluation may be required to determine if a class setting or private training would be the best option.
The setting is carefully controlled to help your dog. The first class is approximately an hour and a half and is a human-only class. The remaining 5 weeks of class are with you and your dog.
The class will be divided up into individual times spots to maximize your dog’s learning potential. Your dog will not be in the room with other reactive dogs at this stage. It is far too stressful for them and can stunt learning foundation skills. They will work with neutral dogs and around people who understand your dog's body language.
*Reactive class does not address dog / dog issues within the household, resource guarding or prey drive (wildlife or cat). For these behaviors, please see private training.
Effective June 19, 2024: Due to the energy levels and restrictions of these classes, and for general safety, children under the age of 18 are not permitted to attend Reactive Dog classes.
Reactivity and impuslivity can look similiar. Click here to learn the difference.
Reactive Dog
Level 2
4-week class
Cost: $170
This class is a 4-week class and is a continuation of Reactive Dog Level 1 class. This class furthers practice with skill sets learned in level 1.
Effective June 19, 2024: Due to the energy levels and restrictions of these classes, and for general safety, children under the age of 18 are not permitted to attend Reactive Dog classes.
Reactive Dog
Level 3
4-week class
Cost: $170
This is the third level of our Reactive Dog class. Each class is 45 minutes long, once a week, for 4 weeks. The work done in this class is all about increasing the difficulty of the situations that your dog can learn to be successful in.
Dogs work in closer proximity and there is more motion and activity-maybe even doing some introductions to confidence building work together. We may also start to develop this class into more of a typical class as it progresses.
Effective June 19, 2024: Due to the energy levels and restrictions of these classes, and for general safety, children under the age of 18 are not permitted to attend Reactive Dog classes.
Reactive Dog
Car Work
4-week class
Cost: $110
This 30-minute class focuses on skills for dogs who are reactive to cars or to people/dogs while inside the car. This is a 4-week class.
COMING SOON: Reactive: bike, skateboard, stroller, and remote cars.
Effective June 19, 2024: Due to the energy levels and restrictions of these classes, and for general safety, children under the age of 18 are not permitted to attend Reactive Dog classes.
Reactive Run Thrus
Level 1
4-week class
Cost: $110
This 30-minute class focuses on outside practice for dog work, using the skills learned in Reactive Dog class or reactive privates in more real-life scenarios. This class also works on decreasing the distance between your dog and another dog.
Dogs must have taken a Reactive Dog class or had a reactive private session before taking this class.
Effective June 19, 2024: Due to the energy levels and restrictions of these classes, and for general safety, children under the age of 18 are not permitted to attend Reactive Dog classes.
Reactive Run Thrus
Level 2
4-week class
Cost: $110
This 30-minute class focuses on outside practice for dog work, using the skills learned in Reactive Dog class or reactive privates in more real-life scenarios. This class also works on decreasing the distance between your dog and another dog. Reactive Run Thrus Level 2 is held offsite.
Dogs must have taken a Reactive Dog class or had a reactive private session before taking this class.
Effective June 19, 2024: Due to the energy levels and restrictions of these classes, and for general safety, children under the age of 18 are not permitted to attend Reactive Dog classes.
Handling Sensitivities & Veterinary Visit Prep
4-week class
Cost: $120
Does your dog dislike having his/her paws touched? Maybe he/she pulls away or growls when you, the groomer, or veterinarian are cutting his/her nails? Does he/she shy away from being brushed? Having his/her ears cleaned or mouth area touched? Maybe it's just overall handling and restraint?
All these scenarios (as well as many more) are handling sensitivities. Some dogs show signs very young, and others develop these as they get older: sometimes by just one scary experience. But there is hope! Dogs can be desensitized and visits to the vet and groomer can be far less stressful for you and your dog. With a unique approach, we work to have the dogs build up a level of comfort to allow handling by letting them choose to participate in the training. Yes, we let them make the choice, and what we have found is that it works! Letting dogs decide when to proceed allows for a much less stressful experience with handling and gets far better results than forcing the process. Let us teach you the skill sets and with a commitment on the owner's part, handling issues can be helped. Don’t let your dog continue to be stressed out with grooming or handling tasks.
This is a 4-week course.
Doodle Do's
4-week class
Cost: $120
If you have a doodle and are looking for a fun class, come join our Doodle Do’s class! This class will focus on polite greetings, loose leash skills, attention work, no bark cues, interactive games, and so much more. This is a 4-week class.
Get Control
6-week class
Cost: $160
This is an impulse control class. Many dogs cannot control their arousal levels in certain situations. This, for example, can result in barking when they see other dogs or people. You could also have dogs who jump on people, pester their owners for attention, put their paws on counters, steal things, and pull on their leash. Dogs are born with poor self-control, and it is up to us to teach them! This class works on teaching dogs patience, how to calm our dogs down when they get excited, and how to help them remain in an overall more relaxed state of mind. The first class is humans only. The five remaining weeks will be with dogs.
Effective June 19, 2024: Due to the energy levels and restrictions of these classes, and for general safety, children under the age of 16 are not permitted to attend Get Control or Fearful and Shy classes.
Reactivity and impuslivity can look similiar. Click here to learn the difference.
Please note: If your dog barks or lunges at people and/or dogs, please let us know. This will allow us to determine the best class for you.
Get Control - Level 2
6-week class
Cost: $160
In this class, we will continue to challenge your dog’s impulse control with new games/exercises. We will also build on skill sets learned in level 1, such as wait, drop it, counter surfing, loose leash walking, and polite greetings.
Prerequisite: Dogs must have taken Get Control! before this class.
Effective June 19, 2024: Due to the energy levels and restrictions of these classes, and for general safety, children under the age of 16 are not permitted to attend Get Control or Fearful and Shy classes.
Get Control - Level 3
6-week class
Cost: $160
This 6-week class is only for those who have taken Get Control, or at a trainer’s recommendation. In this class, we will focus on different walking and greeting techniques/cues learned in level 1. The first two weeks of class will be held at one of our locations, to review and refresh skill sets. The remaining four weeks of class will be held offsite. This will allow your dog to practice skills in a more unpredictable and challenging environment.
Prerequisite: Dogs must have taken Get Control before this class or be given a trainer’s recommendation.
Effective June 19, 2024: Due to the energy levels and restrictions of these classes, and for general safety, children under the age of 16 are not permitted to attend Get Control or Fearful and Shy classes.
Conner
"Conner is not our first Rottweiler but he’s our first Rottweiler from an Amish breeder. He was 3-1/2 months old when we adopted him. Not only didn’t he have any socialization but we’re pretty sure he was never held or, possibly, even touched. We signed him up for a puppy class at a local pet store. We had trouble even getting him in the door but once he was inside he did ok. Even with the puppy class he was still very anxious & fearful. If a plane, or even a flock of birds, would fly overhead he would run to the house with his little stubby tail between his legs. Our back yard is fenced in but if he saw a car or Amish buggy go up the road he would run to the front of the fence yipping and running along the fence line. We tried walking him on the road but he lunged out of control at everything that passed us so we started taking him to walking trails. One particular time there was a kid’s bike laying on the ground and for some reason that sent him over the edge. He had his ears pinned back and was extremely anxious so we headed back to the car. He wouldn’t get in the car so we had to pick him up & put him in it. Then once we got home, he wouldn’t get out of the car or come into the house. Once we did get him in the house, he ran around the house sniffing the air & whining. It was so bad, we thought maybe someone was in the house or something was on fire & he was smelling smoke. But all was good. For the next day, we had to pick him up & carry him outside to go potty. As soon as he was done, he would run to the house to get back in, literally quivering he was so scared. It was at that point we knew we needed some serious help. We had heard about Jenny so we gave her a call. She came out to the house & met Conner & our other dog, Izzy. She immediately saw that, while Conner loved his big sister, he did bully her. She gave us some exercises to let him know that Izzy came first. She then gave us exercises for the outside work with cars & buggies. Jenny not only met us at the house but also at Linden Point several times to continue working with him & cars. The first time our 1-year-old grandson came to the house, Conner was so anxious he ran around him, panting & jumping and was a bundle of nerves. I called Jenny in tears not knowing what to do and feeling so helpless & hopeless. She calmed me down & just kept working, not only with Conner but with us on how to handle his fear & anxiety. Jenny was so very patient with all of my texts & calls. And, believe me, there were many. We also took him to a confidence-building class that she offers. At first, we thought he’ll never do any of those things. Not only did he do them, but some of them he did on the first try. He still has his “Conner Days” but they are few & far between. We can now walk him up & down our road and, more importantly, have our grandchildren over. He’s great with vehicles although Amish buggies are still a work in progress. Words cannot express how grateful we are to Jenny. As much as we love Conner, he made our lives extremely chaotic and stressful. Thanks to Jenny, we now have a great “little man” and life is so much happier & easier."
Gemma
"Gemma came to us very scared, timid, and deathly afraid of men. I acquired Gemma in college and my vet told me he was almost positive she was from a puppy mill. When I got Gemma, she was the only puppy of her breed in the house. She was extremely dirty and it took three baths to get all of the dirt off of her. The man I got her from said he would keep her in the basement, in the dark, with newspapers when he would leave the house. Gemma started off OK, but we started to notice some severe behavioral issues. She was extremely afraid of, yet aggressive towards, men. She would not go within 6 feet of them and as soon as she saw a man she began barking. We could not wear long sleeves around her because she would begin to attack us; biting, barking, and becoming "hysterical." We think this is because the man we got her from always wore flannel shirts and she made that association when we wore long sleeves. We were at a loss of what to do when we found Jenny. Gemma has taken Confidence Building as well as Fearful and Shy Dog and other classes that have approved her behavior IMMENSELY. Gemma can now go up to a man she does not know, sniff him, and walk away. She does not attack us and is actually quite a sweet dog! She takes treats from men and knows a lot of commands. She has even learned some fun tricks like "touch" and turning on a press light. Gemma loves going to school and using her brain. In fact, when she took Fearful and Shy Agility she thrived. She was the only dog that got to use the A-frame too! We are beyond proud of how far Gemma has come and could not have done it without Jenny and her team. In fact, Gemma thinks Jenny is her very best friend! Thank you Dogsmartz, you made Gemma a real "gem" of a dog!