“We Have Used Sidekick For Their Reactive Dog Training Classes And Also Started Taking Our Dog Ben To Doggie Daycare 1 Day A Week. We Have Been So Happy With Our Decision To Use Sidekick. Amanda Has Been Extremely Helpful With The Trainings. And Doing Daycare Has Been A Great Way To Build His Confidence And Introduce Him To Proper Play With Other Dogs (Remember, He Is In Reactive Dog Training For A Reason). We Have Boarded Him At Other Places Many Times Over The Last Couple Of Years But They Have Not Taken The Time To Work With Him One On One And Introduce Him Safely To Friends Like Sidekick Has. The Last Time I Dropped Him Off For Daycare He Was Immediately Wagging His Tail And Happily Walked In With The Sweet Staff Member Who Came Out To Collect Him. That May Not Sound Like Much, But It Made Me Feel So Happy And Confident In Our Decision To Choose Sidekick. Even If We Drive WAY Out Of Our Way To Bring Him Here, It Is Absolutely Worth It. Amanda Also Emailed Over Videos Of Him Getting To Really Play With Another Pup Nearly His Size And It Made Me Such A Happy Dog Mama To Watch Them. So Thankful For Everyone At Sidekick!”

— Kirstie Sanders

“We Took Our 5.5 Year Old GSD Here For Reactive Dog Training. She Was Very Reactive To Other Dogs Prior To The Class. They Gave Us The Skills We Needed To Help Redirect Her And Get Her More Comfortable In A Lot Of Different Situations. By The End Of Level 2, Our Dog Was Able To Relax And Still Listen To Us Within Feet Of Another Dog. These Classes Were Invaluable To Us. The Trainer Was Great And Very Knowledgeable. She Is Also Very Responsive When We Had Questions. By The End Of Level 2, Our Dog Was Much More Confident As Were We. Now She Gets To Go All Kinds Of Places With Us!”

— Michelle Higgins

Reactive dogs are dogs that overreact to things int heir environment by barking, lunging, and even growling. Dogs that respond this way are often fearful or frustrated and may even be described as aggressive.
In this 6 week class, we will show you how to manage your dog's environment, to reduce their stress and work to change your dog's behavior. Working to change their behavior will, in turn, change their emotional response to their trigger or triggers. We use a positive reinforcement approach.
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This is a semi-private class with a max of 3 dogs per class. The session lasts for 6 weeks. We meet for 45 min. each week. 

*This class is is located at our Springfield training location. Training Academy is located at 1934 E Meadowmere Springfield, MO 65804

The first class is orientation so you won't bring your dog to that class. We will run through how the class will run, homework and write out goals for you and your dog.  We designed this class to be more individualized for each dog so we can work on your specific goals. This isn't an obedience class. We won't work on the typical obedience behaviors. Dogs with reactivity can't focus on basic obedience out in the real world when they have certain behaviors.  

In class, all the dogs are behind a barrier so they can't practice their reactivity. Each dog will come out one by one and practice new skills. We practice these skills through patterns and games.  

As the class progresses we will add in helper dogs so the class dogs and their owners can start practicing the skills they have learned around other dogs and still while in a controlled environment. You can check out our YouTube channel and see some of the reactive dog class videos.

**In order to reserve your spot, we require payment in full at the time of registration.**