Reactive Resilience Therapy™

We start with a detailed history, video review when available, and a live consult to identify triggers, thresholds, and the coping strategies your dog already uses. You receive a clear risk profile, management plan, and prioritized goals.

We map how far, how intense, and how long your dog can tolerate triggers before reacting. From there, we design a safety-first plan: equipment, routes, exits, and “abort mission” cues that keep everyone safer while we train.

We layer in short, achievable movement patterns—targeting, turns, low-impact obstacles—that become your dog’s “job” when triggers appear. These patterns are reinforcing, predictable, and physically incompatible with lunging and spinning.

We pair structured movement and reinforcement with carefully controlled exposure so your dog learns that triggers predict clarity, safety, and rewards—not chaos, conflict, or surprise corrections.

• Sessions 1–2: Foundations, pattern games, and management systems.
• Sessions 3–4: Controlled trigger exposure at safe distances.
• Sessions 5–6: Closer proximity and more complex environments.
• Sessions 7–8: Generalization in real NYC settings and long-term plan.

In an internal pilot (n = 12), most dogs showed a 50–70% reduction in lunging and barking intensity within six weeks, along with faster recovery times and improved handler confidence. We track changes in intensity, frequency, and recovery, not just “good days” and “bad days.”

Living with a reactive dog is stressful. RRT includes coaching for you as well—rehearsed responses, decision trees, and emotional support so you are not white-knuckling every walk alone.

Many reactive dogs can make dramatic improvements, and some look “normal” to the outside world. Long-term success depends on consistent management, realistic expectations, and regular practice to prevent old patterns from resurfacing.

Punishment can suppress behavior in the short term but often increases fear, anxiety, or frustration under the surface. RRT uses evidence-based, force-free methods that protect the human–dog relationship and aim for durable behavior change, not temporary shutdown.

Many dogs with mild to moderate bite histories can safely work through RRT with proper safety protocols, management, and, when appropriate, muzzle training. Severe aggression or high-risk cases may require a modified plan and veterinary or veterinary behaviorist collaboration.

The agility-inspired elements in RRT are low-height, low-impact, and tightly structured. They are designed to promote controlled movement and emotional regulation, not frantic arousal or speed. Most dogs become more organized, not more chaotic.

Many teams notice improvements in their dog’s recovery time, check-ins, and intensity within 2–4 weeks of consistent work. Deeply ingrained patterns and complex histories take longer and require ongoing practice to maintain gains.

No ethical trainer can guarantee behavior outcomes, especially in a dynamic environment like NYC. We guarantee a transparent, science-based process, clear communication, and an individualized plan tailored to your dog and environment—but not a specific result.

Sessions typically run 60–75 minutes. Most RRT clients meet weekly or every other week depending on scheduling, homework capacity, and how quickly the dog is progressing and generalizing skills.

In-home sessions are available in select Manhattan neighborhoods. Many teams benefit from a mix of in-home sessions and outdoor work in real-world environments where triggers actually occur.

Most reactive dogs are not good candidates for dog parks, especially during early training. We will discuss safer alternatives, including decompression walks, structured setups, and carefully managed dog–dog interactions when appropriate.

Handler emotions matter. RRT includes coaching for owners as well—clear protocols, rehearsed responses, and simple decision trees so you are not guessing in the middle of a difficult moment. You deserve a plan, not just “be more confident.”