Dog Training Service
Behaviour Modification
When a dog's behaviour goes beyond basic training — anxiety, fear responses, resource guarding, separation distress, or compulsive habits — a structured behaviour modification program is the path forward. Malia uses evidence-based desensitization and counter-conditioning protocols tailored to your dog's specific triggers and thresholds.
Jumping, counter-surfing, and destructive chewing
These behaviours are not your dog being "bad" — they are unmet needs expressing themselves in ways that happen to destroy your furniture. Jumping is reinforced attention-seeking. Counter-surfing is self-rewarding foraging. Destructive chewing is often boredom or anxiety. Each one has a different root cause and a different solution. I identify what is driving the behaviour and build a management and training plan that addresses the cause, not just the symptom.
Resource guarding
A dog that growls over food bowls, stiffens when you approach their bed, or snaps when you reach for a stolen sock is resource guarding. This is one of the most commonly mishandled behaviour issues I see. Punishment makes it worse — every time. I use a systematic desensitization approach that changes your dog's emotional response to having people near their valued items, rebuilding trust without confrontation.
Excessive barking and demand behaviours
Barking at every sound, whining for attention, pawing at you nonstop — demand behaviours erode your quality of life and your relationship with your dog. The fix is never as simple as "just ignore it." I assess the function of the barking, identify what is reinforcing it, and build an extinction plan paired with replacement behaviours so your dog has an appropriate way to communicate their needs.
The assessment and program structure
Every behaviour modification program begins with a thorough in-home assessment to understand the root of the behaviour, your dog's history, and the daily patterns that may be maintaining the problem. From there, I build a clear, step-by-step plan you can implement with confidence between sessions. Progress is tracked, and the plan is adjusted as your dog improves.
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Ready to work with a trainer who gets it?
Book a session and let's start where the real challenges happen — in your home, on your street, in your neighbourhood.