Dog Aggression Rehabilitation Training - DART

We do accept aggressive dogs into our training program.  Whether we can help you or not will depend very much on the dog's history, circumstances surrounding the aggression and your willingness to follow through.  Our experience has been that most aggression is based in FEAR: the dog barks or behaves aggressively to keep a stranger or strange dog away from them - they are afraid of the new person or dog.  If we can control the fear, we can help the dog.  Sometimes, fear is compounded by excitement, so we want to control the levels of both emotions.  Another common source of aggression comes from forms of resource guarding - the dog lays claim to an item (or place) that is of value to the dog; resource guarding includes, but is not limited to - food, toys, chew items, people, beds/furniture, rooms, etc.  Resource guarding ranges from very mild (the dog grabs a toy and runs off when people approach) to very severe (dog attacks every person/animal nearby when a piece of food drops off the countertop), but it should always be addressed, as it can escalate quickly.  We are equipped to treat resource guarding as well as generalized aggression, and in fact, resource guarding has a high probability of rehabilitation in our program.

We always recommend that all aggressive dogs be thoroughly examined by a veterinarian prior to beginning a training program, as some aggression can be linked to pain, such as arthritis and severe ear infections.  A thyroid panel is also recommended - please discuss this with your veterinarian.

At the time you drop your dog off, we will take a detailed history to help us determine the suitability of continuing with training.  We may decide to keep the dog for several days to a week to make a more thorough evaluation - in this case, if it is decided to not continue with training, there will be no charge for this evaluation time.  A pre-evaluation questionnaire is also required, and must be provided either before acceptance, or at the time of acceptance into the DART program.

We use a multi-pronged approach to rehabilitating aggression cases.  First, we use "social isolation" to our advantage; that is, the dog is kenneled to remove them from the distractions of daily life in a home.  Human contact is offered selectively and in a friendly way. 

Secondly, we begin teaching obedience using low-level remote collar pressure coupled with positive reinforcement, in such a way that the dog feels safe and secure with his or her decisions.  This increases confidence in a fearful and/or anxious dog, and helps them begin to learn they can control their environment by interacting with people.  Effective obedience training also builds on a dog's natural "pack drive" - the desire to be an integral part of a group and to naturally follow a confident leader.  Because we trigger this drive without using verbal commands or cues, the dog engages more fully and more rapidly than by using traditional obedience training techniques alone.

Third, we use shaping to reduce the dog's fear and encourage a friendly demeanor.  In this phase, we begin taking field trips out into public, to help your dog see that people and/or other dogs are not a constant threat.  This is where we see the big "breakthroughs" in aggressive dogs and can begin heading down the path toward normalcy.

We also use "pack walks" as needed to help your dog socialize appropriately with friendly, calm dogs in a controlled setting.  Pack walks are ALWAYS supervised and conducted in a  fenced area for everyone's safety.

Our Dog Aggression Rehabilitation Training (DART™) program is a minimum 6 - 10 week program.  The duration of your dog's stay is determined by the depth and severity of your dog's aggression.   During this time, your dog will undergo daily shaping lessons as well as obedience work; pack walks are done on an "as needed" basis.  It is possible that we may need to condition your dog to wearing a muzzle for safety in the beginning stages; our goal is to remove the muzzle as quickly as possible as the program progresses.  If you have any concerns that your dog will bite, we encourage muzzle conditioning to be done at home, prior to arrival at our kennel, to best utilize our training time.

This video features one of our DART™ graduates.  This is a comment from her owner, Alison Brantley, of Cumming, GA:

Dogs enrolled in our DART™ program will receive the same obedience training and guarantee as those enrolled in our Total Recall program.  Dogs with aggression issues (barking/lunging while on leash, growling/snapping biting owners, strangers or other dogs, etc) MUST be enrolled into this program - we do not accept the risks of working with aggressive dogs in our Total Recall program!

DART™ is priced at $1650.00 for the full program, which is inclusive of all boarding and care (dog food and treats), training equipment and private lessons.  Heartworm and flea treatment must be provided by the owner, or can be added on on a monthly basis.  A non-refundable $500.00 deposit is required to guarantee space; the balance is not due until your dog graduates.  Unlimited post-training home visits are included with this program, as we will support your dog's success in his home environment.  This program also requires that all family members be committed to continuing your dog's rehabilitation.  Our experience has been that completing the DART™ program will permanently and substantially improve your dog's aggression problem, sometimes to the point of a cure.  While we cannot guarantee that your dog will be cured of his/her aggression, we can help you make significant progress toward a safe life with your dog.

Please click here to inquire about availability and to get our DART™ questionnaire.  You can either email the questionnaire back to us ahead of your enrollment appointment, or bring it to the appointment.

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