Your dog isn’t perfect…you aren’t alone!
The Dog Den’s Scrappers Program is more than just a class - it’s a group of people sharing the learning journey with their reactive, aggressive, or otherwise challenging dogs.
We are a judgment free community here to provide a controlled, safe environment for you and your dog to learn and grow together.
Our flagship course - this is where your Scrappers journey begins…
Scrappers Foundations
Your dog is reactive. You are not alone. Our Scrappers Foundations class is a group of people, learning together how to help their fearful, aggressive, or otherwise challenging dogs cope with their stressors - in a positive and safe way.
Taught in a controlled and judgment-free atmosphere, our Scrappers Foundation class is a combination of management techniques, exercises to change emotional responses, calming cues, and more.
This class works with you, the client, to learn about your dog - what triggers them, what they are wired for, what they find soothing, etc. - and helps you create predictable patterns that your dog can depend on - even when the outside world has them feeling stressed out and defensive.
Created by a Certified Behavior Consultant, this program is led by experienced instructors that will be there for you and your dog every step of the way!
Scrappers Foundations is a 9-week class that includes a 30-minute owner/instructor consultation in the final week of the class where we will discuss areas of improvement, answer questions, and watch actual video footage from the classes so that we can point out small behavioral cues that can go unnoticed when you are handling your dog and will help you understand your dog in ways you didn’t know were possible.
If you don’t see a class session that works for you or if you aren’t sure you are ready for a group class, we offer private training and behavior consultation programs with our Certified Behavior Consultants.
Completed the Scrappers Foundations? Check out the options for additional training options below!
Leash Techniques for Scrappers
Specifically designed for graduates of the Scrappers Foundations course, this class is all about working on leash-handling techniques. Triggers, treats, and events are happening so fast, it’s easy to get yourself and your dog in a sticky situation. We’ll teach you some leash-handling skills that will help you have more control and confidence when managing your dog in difficult situations. This class will also include a field trip so we can put the techniques learned in class into practice in everyday environments.
Scrappers Games
Ready for the challenge of movement? This class use the skills learned in Scrappers Foundations and combines them with the skills from Leash Techniques to pull it all together. Using a combination of pattern games for movement and calming games for settling, the class will practice skills in a safe and predictable way to help both you and your dog feel confident and in control when out in the real world!
The class is for dogs that have completed both the Scrappers Foundations and Leash Techniques classes.
Scrappers Outdoor
Designed for graduates of the Scrappers Foundations course, this class takes the skills learned in the Foundations class outdoors! Triggers and distractions are much different indoors than they are outside. Using the skills acquired in the Foundations class, we will practice how to use them during walks. Each week, we will practice in a new location.
Enrichment for Scrappers
Enrichment goes far beyond just giving your dog a food puzzle. At its core, enrichment is about meeting your dog's physical, social, and biological needs. For reactive dogs, this isn’t always easy to do. This course is designed specifically for reactive dogs and will focus on how we can meet our dogs' needs while supporting their training needs. And ultimately, how meeting their needs with enrichment can have a positive effect on their overall well-being. This class is designed in a LIVE VIRTUAL format, so you and your dog can learn from the comfort of your home via ZOOM each week.