Behaviour rehabilitation
Reactive and aggressive dog training. Built around the dog in front of us.
Lunging, barking, guarding, fear of visitors, dogs that cannot be walked without a fight. This is most of what we do, and most of the dogs doing it are rescues.
What we work on
One problem, and the time to actually solve it
You name the thing. We build the plan around it and spend significantly more time on it than a general program allows.
The goal is never a dog that performs for us. Most of the effort goes into showing you how to hold it at home, because that is where the dog actually lives.
- Leash reactivity
- Fear of people, or of other dogs
- Barrier frustration
- Separation related behaviour
- Advanced socialisation for dogs that missed it
- Off leash reliability
- Advanced obedience
- Public access preparation
- Trick training, agility foundations, sport work
- Rehabilitation after a bad experience somewhere else
Starting with the situation
Describe the reaction, not just the label
Reactive or aggressive dog training starts with what your dog does and when it happens. Barking and lunging describe a reaction; they do not tell us its cause on their own.
Veterinary behaviourist Dr. Christine Calder's IAABC course overview explains that aggression can have behavioural and medical causes. Describing the situation helps us discuss the right starting help without treating a label as a diagnosis.
A dog that barks when another dog passes on a walk presents a different question from a dog that guards food when a person approaches. Tell us what happened before the reaction, who was nearby, and whether anyone was bitten. Those details make the evaluation about a real situation rather than a program chosen from a label.
Training fit and group-care fit are separate decisions. Work on a behaviour concern does not automatically make the van, daycare group or overnight stay suitable. We assess those questions before recommending a starting plan.
Fear, anxiety and aggression can also call for veterinary or qualified behaviour help. AVSAB's trainer-selection guidance explains that distinction. An evaluation here does not replace veterinary care.
What it actually looks like
Small steps, in the right order
Behaviour work is not a breakthrough moment. It is starting somewhere your dog can cope, then making it slightly harder, over and over, with the plan adjusted to how that individual dog responds.
The evaluation gives us a place to start. From there, the plan changes with the dog. We keep the steps small enough for the dog to succeed, then make the work harder when it is ready.
“He started with calmer situations and built up to progressively more stressful situations to build my dog's confidence.”
From behaviour clients
What they say
“We brought our rescue dog Otto home at 5 months old—he was extremely timid, anxious, had never been on a leash, and would bark at every person and dog. Michael didn't just train our dog—he trained us to be the kind of owners our dog needed. With incredible patience, he guided us through everything from leash walking and socialization to crate and house training, and was always there when we needed help, no matter the time. The transformation has been unbelievable—Otto is now more confident, calm, and happy. Michael truly cares and treats him like his own, and Otto absolutely adores him like a 2nd parent. We only trust Michael for boarding because he always comes back better, never with bad habits like elsewhere. If your dog has anxiety or behavioral challenges, I can't recommend him enough—he truly has a gift.”
“Michael and RAJA K9 have been a huge help with my golden retriever puppy. She came to me with resource guarding issues, and they worked to eliminate those. They also gave me techniques to use should they crop up again. She is a new dog thanks to RAJA K9! Also my puppy has been going to doggie day care with them and it has been a huge help to me. I would recommend RAJA K9 to anyone.”
“Michael and crew at RajaK9 have been so helpful to our dog and family. We have a large dog that grew more and more reactive and territorial as he grew into adulthood. Michael and his team spent a week boarding and training our dog to wear a muzzle and respond less aggressively to stranger dogs and people. Then Michael trained us how to better guide our dog's behavior and has provided tuneups ever since. We now board our dog with Raja when we travel and send him for daycare 2 days per week. Having a reactive dog is a journey - we're so happy to have RajaK9 to guide us.”
“I can't recommend RAJA K9 enough! Michael and his team did an incredible job working with my 6 year old rescue pup who used to struggle around other dogs. With patience, skill, and genuine care, they helped her build confidence and safely integrate with other dogs—something I honestly wasn't sure was possible. Seeing her now happily join the pack is amazing. It's clear they truly understand dog behavior and treat every dog like their own. I'm beyond grateful for the transformation!”
Questions
Before you call
- What information helps you choose a starting plan?
- Describe the situations you want help with: passing dogs on walks, visitors at home, fear in a new setting, or guarding. Tell us what your dog does, what happened before it, and any bite history. We assess the individual dog rather than choosing a program from a label alone.
- Will you take a dog that has bitten?
- Sometimes. Tell us about the history and what happened before the evaluation. Meeting the dog helps us decide whether our services fit and what starting options are appropriate.
- Is reactivity the same as aggression?
- The words alone do not explain what is happening. Describe the behaviour, the setting and any bite history. The evaluation considers your dog and the situation rather than treating a label as a diagnosis.
- How long does behaviour work take?
- The starting plan depends on your dog and the concern. The evaluation sets the first goals, and the work changes with how your dog responds. There is no fixed completion time promised.
- Can my dog become more comfortable around other dogs?
- That depends on the individual dog and the situation. We discuss appropriate goals at the evaluation, including what can be worked on and what may need ongoing management. We do not promise that every dog will enjoy group contact.
- What if my dog cannot handle the group or the van?
- Then it is not a fit for daycare, and we say so. There may still be private work worth doing. Better to find that out at the evaluation than at a front door on a Tuesday morning.
Everything here starts with an evaluation, and for behaviour cases we usually want to do it in your home. Here is why.
Tell us what your dog is doing.
An hour in your home, where the behaviour actually happens. You will get a straight answer about whether we can help and what it would take.
$125 at your home, $50 at the farm. Your full evaluation payment is credited toward your first purchase.