Individualized Dog Training & Behavior Help
Group classes aren't the right fit for every dog—or every problem.
Our individualized dog training and behavior services in Pittsburgh are designed for dogs who need a more personalized approach. Whether your dog needs better manners or is struggling with a persistent behavior problem, we'll help you understand what is happening and create a practical plan for moving forward.
Every individualized service begins with a scheduled initial phone call. This conversation helps us understand your goals, your dog's history, and whether individualized dog training or behavior intervention is the appropriate place to start.
Schedule Today Your Initial Call
Individualized Dog Training
Better manners can make everyday life easier.
Individualized dog training is a good starting point when your dog needs help developing practical skills and better manners.
Jumping on people, pulling on the leash, ignoring cues, excessive excitement, poor impulse control, and other unwanted behaviors can often improve when dogs learn more appropriate ways to navigate everyday situations.
Our training focuses on the behaviors you want your dog to develop—not simply on suppressing the behaviors you don't like.
Individualized training may be appropriate when you want help with:
-
Leash manners
-
Jumping and greeting manners
-
Impulse control
-
Basic obedience and responsiveness
-
Household manners
-
Focus and attention
-
Other everyday skills that make living with your dog easier
Behavior Intervention
When emotion drives behavior, training alone may not be enough.
Some behaviors persist because they connect to a dog's underlying emotional response. Fear, anxiety, frustration, or other emotional states can contribute to behaviors such as reactivity toward dogs or people, aggression toward humans, resource guarding, or other concerning behaviors.
These situations require more than teaching a dog to perform a different behavior on cue.
Behavior intervention involves looking at the bigger picture: what triggers the behavior, how your dog responds, what your dog is communicating, and how we can change the situations and expectations surrounding the behavior.
Because these cases are more complex, behavior intervention requires a more thorough plan and a greater commitment from the owner. Progress often depends on changes to routines, management, the environment, expectations, and how people respond to the dog's behavior.
Behavior intervention may be appropriate for:
-
Reactivity toward dogs or people
-
Aggression toward humans
-
Fear and anxiety
-
Resource guarding
-
Significant handling or grooming difficulties
-
Persistent behaviors that haven't improved with basic training
-
Other behaviors that interfere with your dog's ability to function comfortably in everyday life
Individualized dog training and behavior intervention are by appointment.
Not Sure Which One You Need?
You don't have to diagnose your dog's problem before contacting us.
Start with the initial phone call. We'll talk through what you're seeing, ask questions about your dog's history and circumstances, and determine whether individualized dog training, behavior intervention, or another approach makes sense. Check out our philosophy here.
What Pittsburgh Dog Parents Say About Us
There are lots of nuances and tricks that only individualized attention from a professional can really get across. And besides really knowing their stuff, they were extremely generous with their time, helping us to problem solve for our puppies unique issues.
A Smith
My 2 yr old pup has anxiety/fear of lots of things. Michael helped me understand how working with my pup will get me closer to putting him at ease . It’s a slow process but I already see improvement in a few short weeks.
A Brosky
Seen Michael & Luis multiple times for my french bulldog. We have done group classes and privates sessions at home. These guys are excellent at what they do and what seems to be impossible to teach, they make happen! I have told friends and family about 2 dads and highly recommend!
B Mihalick