Chaos to Calm – For the Reactive or Hyperactive Dog

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Level 1: Humans Only Intro

LEVEL ONE is introductory lecture and hands on learning for HUMANS ONLY. This is required to join our Chaos to Calm Level 2 Classes where we begin working on skills with your dog around other dogs.

This session aims to provide you with the knowledge and beginner skills to do a Behavioural Reset with your dog, and start to notice improvements in their reactive or hyperactive behaviour immediately.

In this session you will learn:

  • What reactivity is
  • Why it happens
  • How this program works
  • Foundation skills to start at home so that you will be ready to join the group sessions around other dogs and be successful

Only $10!

Level 2: Bring on the Dogs

You’ve attended the Level 1 session and you feel comfortable with the material and starter exercises and feel ready to start practicing around other dogs.

Level 2 classes start introducing STRUCTURED, focused interactions with other dogs in a large space. These classes are carefully orchestrated so that teams can be successful.

We will start working on skills to reduce reactivity and eventually progress to off-leash socialization once all skills are mastered(LEVEL 3).

Skills taught in this level (not every class will cover every skill):

  • Using food and play properly
  • Engagement and being an engaging handler
  • Handler focus
  • Leash handling to reduce reactivity
  • Loose leash walking
  • Sit stay and down stay
  • Impulse control and arousal (excitement) management
  • Calmly watching, then disengagement from triggers
  • Desensitization
  • Recall
  • Down out of motion
  • Give to leash pressure
  • Move away on cue
  • Leave It
  • Muzzle conditioning

These classes are $45 each and are Drop In (come when you can, as often as you can). If the cost of these classes represents a significant financial burden for you, please contact us to ask about sliding scale pricing. 

If you cannot attend the group class days/times, require special accommodations, or prefer more individual attention check out our One-on-One Programs.

“I am not sure where my dog and I would be today without the ongoing support of Sarah and the Barks team. I knew that getting a puppy would come with its own set of challenges and learning, I did not realize that adolescence was actually the life stage I needed to be prepared for, and when it hit I realized very quickly that I needed more support. I was lucky enough to have met a few people that had worked with or knew of Sarah and referred me to her. There are so many things I have loved about our time at Barks, the education I received around supporting a dog that is struggling through adolescence, the variety of class offerings that are fun for both of us, the development of a truly incredible relationship with my dog, the friends I have made along the way, and the team who feels like family. My dog and I have come SO far in our journey, and I cannot thank Sarah and barks enough for this and their ongoing support of both of us!”
- Carissa A.

All of our group classes are small so you’ll get a lot of instructor attention

Have Even More Fun!

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Training builds relationships. Have fun with your dog!

We offer a variety of fun, fulfilling recreational classes for you and your dog. Come and have fun and find out the difference sports and fun training can make in improving your dog’s behaviour.

Our fun and continuing education classes include several “Reactive Dog Friendly” Sports:

  • Group Walks/Hikes
  • Sniffer Dog Classes
  • Disc Dog Classes

To learn more about our different class offerings visit this page.

 

Vaccination Requirements Dogs must be up to date on the following for all training appointments:

  • Rabies
  • DAPP (Distemper/Parvo)
  • Bordetella

Puppies require one set of Distemper/Parvo (DAPP) at 8 weeks old, 2 sets by 12 weeks (Bordetella recommended here as well), and 3 sets plus Rabies by 16 weeks.

Proof of vaccination must be provided before the appointment time. We cannot provide services to dogs without up to date vaccinations, but can accept titer test results of exemption letters from your veterinarian if your dog cannot be vaccinated for health reasons.

Cancellation Policy We have a 48-hour cancellation policy. If you are unable to provide this notice, we will charge you in full for the missed appointment if we are unable to fill the spot. Evaluations will be charged a no-show fee. We sometimes have a waiting list and if given enough notice we can fill the appointment. There is no refunds for group class cancellations less than one week from start date of classes, and no refunds or make ups for missed classes. There is no refund for pre-paid lesson packages. If you have an emergency, please let us know so that we can treat your specific situation with personal attention. We do not consider conflicts to be emergencies. This cancellation policy is necessary for our small business to continue to serve our clients in need. Please call the store to cancel an appointment. E-mail cancellations will not be accepted. Thank you for understanding.

Group Class Cancellations: 50% will be refunded if cancelling within a week of start date.     

NO REFUNDS OR CREDITS for cancellations within 48 hours of start date or after class start.