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Beginners

Tired of Stressful Walks? Say Goodbye to Leash Reactivity!

Take your leash reactive dog from lunging and barking to calm and connected with personalized coaching and support.

Does your dog lunge, bark, and pull on leash?

If you have a dog that is leash reactive to people, dogs, cars, or bikes on walks, you’re not alone.

Walking out in public is an embarrassing and stressful experience. Your barking, lunging dog becomes the centre of attention wherever you go. People stare. You feel as though they are judging you and your dog.

Outings that should be enjoyable are now stressful and unpleasant. Maybe you’ve even considered giving up on walks altogether.

But there’s hope. My Walks That Work program for leash reactive dogs is designed to help you reduce your dog’s reactive episodes so you can enjoy calm, peaceful walks. I work with you in real-life situations to address the problems where they happen – out on the streets, parks, and trails.

"Athena can be reactive with certain dogs. We worked one on one with Laura and she taught us some valuable techniques that we still use today. She also taught us that all dogs have their issues and that we just need to work with them rather than against them. "

"Without Laura, we wouldn’t be feeling like there’s hope. I would strongly suggest it to anyone who feels like throwing in the towel or like there is no hope (like we were feeling) or if you want to make walks more enjoyable, to give this class a try. You will not regret it! "

Tracey Lynn

How Does the Program Work?

Step 1. Manage to reduce the behaviours

The first priority is to reduce the behavior. Every time your dog lunges and barks, they think it "works," and the behavior becomes stronger. We focus on managing all situations to stop the cycle.

Step 2. Change the emotional response

Your dog’s reactivity stems from a negative emotional response. No matter what triggers the reaction – fear, frustration – we can change it to a positive one.

Step 3. Teach more acceptable alternative Behaviors

We’ll teach your dog new, appropriate behaviors to replace lunging and barking. Imagine your dog choosing to turn back and engage with you instead!

Our Proven Three-Step Training Process

Start in a neutral environment

We start in a large neutral space, away from your neighborhood, where both you and your dog can practice new skills successfully with low-level distractions.

Add controlled exposure to triggers

Your dog will be exposed to their triggers from a distance where they can stay calm. As they succeed, we’ll gradually reduce the distance.

Apply the learning in where you need it most

Once you and your dog feel confident, we’ll return to your neighborhood and regular walking routes and repeat the process with the triggers your dog normally faces.

What’s Included in the Program?

Bonus content:

Life after Walks that Work

You’ll experience a substantial decrease in your dog’s reactivity, making walks more enjoyable for both of you.

You will be able to confidently handle any situation, knowing you have the skills to keep your dog relaxed and focused on you.

With each outing, you'll continue to build those peaceful walks you’ve always wanted.

Imagine your dog walking calmly on a loose leash, focused on you, ready for every new adventure together!

Ready to Start?

  • Schedule a free consultation call to discuss your needs.
  • Begin your journey to stress-free, joyful walks with your dog!
Contact Us

Any questions? Check out the FAQ

Absolutely. Walks That Work is designed with flexibility in mind. We offer a mix of live sessions, video resources, and ongoing support, so you can fit training into your schedule without added stress.

Think of this as a long-term investment in both your peace of mind and your dog’s wellbeing. The skills you’ll learn in this program can make walks a positive experience for years to come, ultimately saving you time, frustration, and potential costs associated with reactive behavior.

: The online portion of the program provides vital support for you between lessons. You can refer back to the video lessons when you can’t quite remember the next step or how to execute the step. There is valuable info on the why and how of what you are doing in the live lessons. The Zoom lives will provide all the answers to the questions that I know from experience you will have.

Every dog is unique, which is why we customize our approach to suit your dog’s specific needs and triggers. We’re here to provide guidance at every step and adjust strategies to ensure you see real progress.

Many clients feel this way initially, but Walks That Work is built to help even highly reactive dogs. Our focus on gradual, real-life practice and emotional reconditioning is especially effective for overcoming intense reactions.

Treats are a highly effective, humane way to help dogs build positive associations with triggers. However, we’ll work with you to find alternative rewards your dog responds to best. t include toys, praise, or even special attention.

While self-training can work in some situations, reactivity often benefits from the expertise and support of a trained professional. With Walks That Work, you’ll have a structured approach, tools, and ongoing guidance to ensure consistent, lasting progress.

Live and Online Program - Stouffville, Markham, Aurora, Uxbridge, Richmond Hill, Newmarket. Online only program: Everywhere