Calm before Control Program

6–8 Week Rest & Rebuild Program — Behavior Modification for Reactivity & Aggression

Program overview A focused 6–8 week program designed to safely rest, rebuild, and retrain dogs showing reactivity or aggressive behaviors. We use science-based behavior modification, clear management strategies, and progressive skill-building to reduce unwanted responses, improve emotional regulation, and rebuild trust between dog and handler.

Who this is for

• Dogs showing leash reactivity, lunging, barking, growling, snapping, or other aggressive displays toward people, dogs, or specific triggers.

• Owners committed to consistent training, management, and applying trainer guidance at home.

• Dogs of any age where individualized behavioral work is appropriate and safe.

What we address

• Trigger identification and threshold management

• Counterconditioning and desensitization protocols

• Impulse control, focus, and alternative behaviors

• Safe environmental management and crisis prevention

• Handler skills for communication, timing, and emotional leadership

• Tools and equipment recommendations tailored to your dog

Program structure Week 1-2 — Assessment & Safety Plan

• Environmental control ( management strategies)

• Baseline behavior report, medical checklist review.

• Immediate safety and management plan (routes, gear, home setup)

• Place/cate decompression

• Leash pressure conditioning

• Calm markers (yes/free)

• Structured walks

• Zero rehearsals of bad behavior

  What’s removed-

• Dog Parks

• Chaotic play

• Over socialization

• high expectations

Weeks 3–4 — Stabilization & Early Modification

• Focus is on-Calm Obedience & impulse control

• Daily or frequent short training sessions focused on lowering arousal and avoiding escalation

• Begin counterconditioning to reduce negative associations with triggers

• Teach core calm behaviors and attention/rewarding cues

• Sit/down

• place/ w duration

• loose lease walking ( low distractions )

• Recall foundations

• food and toy impulse control

• Marker clarity ( right vs wrong)

• Implement environmental management to control exposures

• Out come the dog learns calm behavior works

Weeks 5–6 — Skill Building & Generalization

• Focus on - Reliability and follow -through

• Extended stays

• leash- Pressure accountability

• Redirection under mild stress

• Calm exposure to triggers (distance work)

• household manners ( guests, meals, movement)

  • Neutrality around dogs/people outcome- Dog chooses calm behaviors under pressure

    Weeks 7-8

  • Focus - Real world reliability and owner success

  • Public outings

  • Pattern breaking in known trigger zones

  • Off -leash foundations (if appropriate)

  • Owner specific life-style training

  • Long term maintenance planning

    Outcome-Dog transitions to trainer control - to Owner control

Deliverables & support

• Individualized training plan with weekly goals and exercises

• Video demonstrations and written step-by-step protocols

• Regular progress reports and adjustments

• Phone/text support between sessions for troubleshooting

• Final evaluation and a long-term maintenance program

Session options

• In-person private sessions at our Chester County facility or in your home

• Combination of in-person plus virtual coaching (recommended for follow-through)

• Intensive day options available for faster progress when appropriate

Owner Education & Commitment

• Behavior change requires consistency, patience, and owner participation

• Most dogs show measurable improvement within 4–6 weeks; severe cases may require extended work

• Success focuses on safer, more reliable responses and improved quality of life for dog and family

• Clear rules for home

  Because Behavior returns when Structure Disappears

Next steps Contact Echo Dogs Training to schedule an intake assessment. We’ll evaluate needs, discuss medical considerations, and create a tailored 6–8 week plan to rest, rebuild, and restore confident, controlled behavior.