Living with DINOS™: A Resource Guide
2013 Note: For the most up to date version of this resource list, please visit Dogs In Need of Space here.
Living with some DINOS isn’t always easy, but you’re not alone and there is help! Below you’ll find a list of resources gathered from our Facebook fans. This resource guide reflects the tools, trainers, and techniques that have been helpful for their individual DINOS. Every dog is different and there are many types of DINOS, so please keep in mind that what works for one DINOS family, may not work for another. But this list is a great place to start!
This is by no means a complete list, particularly in the “Training Classes” category, and will be updated in the future, so keep checking back! If you’ve had success with a class, activity, or book, please let me know: info@notesfromadogwalker.com
Please note that being included in this list is not an endorsement by the blog’s author.
Books and DVDs
Aggression in Dogs: Practical Management, Prevention, and Behavior Modification by Brenda Aloff
BAT (Behavior Adjustment Training) by Grisha Stewart
Bones Would Rain from the Sky by Suzanne Clothier
Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas
Changing People, Changing Dogs by Dee Ganley
Click to Calm by Emma Parsons
Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt includes LAT (Look at That!) technique
Guide To Living With & Training A Fearful Dog by Debbie Jacobs 
Help for Your Fearful Dog by Nicole Wilde
Scaredy Dog by Ali Brown
The Language of Dogs by Sarah Kalnajs
The Other End of the Leash, Feisty Fido and the Cautious Canine by Patricia McConnell
TACT: A Training Program for Dogs that Are Fearful or Reactive Toward People
5-DVD Set (behavior modification and massage)
Articles and Videos
On Service Dog Etiquette from Please Don’t Pet Me
Suzanne Clothier’s classic, “He Just Wants to Say Hi”.
Dr. Ian Dunbar’s look at Canine Body Language
Karen Overall’s pdf of her Relaxation Protocol
Doggone Safe on bite prevention and dog safety for kids
Bad Rap’s take on Dog/Dog Tolerance levels in adult dogs
Dr. Patricia McConnell’s blogs on dog-dog Reactivity Treatments + How to Stop an Approaching Dog (video)
Dr. Sophia Yin’s video of her work with a Fear Aggressive/Reactive dog
How to Help Your Fearful Dog from Casey Lomonaco
A collection of articles about Aggression and Reactivity from Karen Pryor’s website (various authors)
A video to help Dogs and Kids learn how to safely interact from Karen Pryor Clicker Training
Reactive Champion blog includes info on medications, supplements, and many other resources
Proper Dog Intros and Multi-Dog Home Management from Pat Miller in Whole Dog Journal
DINOS handouts
Training Classes for DINOS
A note on the classes listed: Though not all DINOS are reactive, many of the classes listed here are for reactive dogs, so that families looking for help can find a class near them. Almost all of these training centers offer private lessons, so if the classes aren’t the right fit for your dogs, please consider an individual consultation.
Additionally, there are quite a few classes listed that are for pit bulls only. These classes exist, not because pit bulls are different from other DINOS, but because pit bull guardians are working extra hard to change public perceptions of our dogs. Many pit bull organizations now offer free or low-cost training classes for that reason.
UNITED STATES
CA Berkeley: BAD RAP Pit Ed Classes (pit bulls only in classes, great training info on website for all dogs)
CA Fresno: Instict Professional Dog Training offers Reactive Dog classes and Treadmill lessons
CA Sacramento: Chako Pit Bull Rescue & Advocacy offers Reactive Dog classes (pit bulls only)
CA San Diego: Just a Dog offers Pit Bull training classes (pit bulls only)
CA San Francisco: The SF SPCA offers Reactive Rover classes
CA San Francisco: Pawsitive Tails offers Drama Queens & Divas classes for reactive dogs
CA San Jose: Marthina McClay, Our Pack offers Pit Bull Training Classes (all dog breeds welcome)
CO Denver: Kari Bastyr, Wag and Train offers Reactive Rover class
DC Washington: Washington Animal Rescue League offers Reactive Dog Class I, II, and III
GA Atlanta: Canine PhD offers Reactive Dog and Reactive Agility classes
IL Oswego: FlyDogs Training offers Rowdy Rover classes
KS Lawrence: Game Dog Guardian, Pit Bull EDU (pit bulls only)
MA Boston area: Vera Wilkinson, The Cooperative Dog, offers Rowdy Rover classes
MA Holbrook: Spring Forth Dog Services offers Reactive Dog class
MA Sharon: Maplewood Dog Training offers Stop. Think. Change class for fearful, reactive, or aggressive dogs
MD Rockville: Your Dog’s Friend offers Reactive Dog Class
ME North Yarmouth: Tree Frog Farm offers Confident Canine for shy dogs and Aggravated Argo for dog-dog aggression
ME Portland: Gooddogz Training offers Holy Rollers Class for dogs that are reactive to wheels
ME Saco: Finish Forward Dogs offers Peaceful Pals Class – ‘Soothing the Reactive Dog’
MN Golden Valley: Animal Humane Society offers Reactive Rover classes (multiple locations)
MN Minneapolis: Fetch Dog Training offers Calm Confident Connected classes
MN Rochester area: Paws Abilities offers reactive Dog/Growl Class
NJ Belvidere: Pamela Dennison, Positive Motivation Dog Training offers Growl class
NJ North: Fernando Camacho, FernDog, offers Dogs on Location class
NJ Sandyston: Holistic Behavior Solutions offers Reactive Rover classes
NY New York: Wag the Dog offers Reactive Dog and Control Unleashed classes
PA Carlisle: Fieldwood Training Center offers a Reactive Dog Class
PA Pittsburgh: Misty Pines offers Growl classes and an Intro to Treadmills class
PA Philadelphia: Carol Siegrist, Dog Training in the City offers Reactive Dog classes
PA Philadelphia and suburbs: Communicating Canines offers Impluse Control classes
OH Bedford Heights: Carol Peter, Cold Nose Companions Dog Training offers a class called Chill!
OH Columbus: PosiDog offers Leash Reactivity Rehab
OH Holland: Toldeo Dog Training offers Reactive Rover and Shy Souls classes
OR Portland: Synergy Behavior Services offers Reactive Rover classes
SC Charleston: Lori Willimont Duncan and Cindy Carter of Mindful Manners offer classes for reactive dogs using the Controlled Unleashed techniques
TX Austin: Canine Center for Training and Behavior offers Confidence Building for Fearful and Reactive Dogs
TX Houston: Dr. Lore Haug offers a Reactive Dog class
TX San Antonio: Karen Pearce Training offeres Pit Bull training classes in prep for CGC
WA Seattle: Grisha Stewart, Ahimsa Dog Training offers Growly Dog and Troubled Teen classes
CANADA
Burnaby, British Columbia: Custom Canine Teaching offers help with aggression and other behavior issues
Black Creek, British Columbia: Jane Neve at Canine Conduct offers Growl classes
Nelson, British Columbia: Jeanne Shaw at Love 2 Play offers Reactive Dog Classes
Toronto, ON: Whatta Pup and Mindful Behaviors jointly teach the Cranky Canine’s Class
Red Deer, AB: The Academy offers Reactive Dog classes
UNITED KINGDOM
Banstead, Surrey, UK: Dog socialization groups offered
Edinburgh, UK: Joanne Drysdale offers Reactive Rovers classes
Hednesford, Staffordshire, UK: Sheila Harper Limited offers Reactive Dog classes
Hook, Wootton Bassett, UK: Walkies and Talkies offers Reactive Dog classes
Looking for a structured way to socialize your DINOS? Check out Dog Walking Social Groups for a club near you.
Techniques, alternative treatments, and activities
Tellington TTouch Methods: based on circular movements of the fingers and hands and using a combination of specific touches, lifts, and movement exercises, TTouch helps to release tension and increase body awareness. For dogs with various
behavioral issues, such as fear, aggression, etc.
Thundershirt: a vest that produces gentle, constant pressure on your dog. Useful for all types of dog anxiety, fearfulness, barking and more.
Rescue Remedy from Bach’s Flower Remedy: reported to help pets (and us!) when they have negative emotions. Can be used to calm stressed dogs.
DAP Comfort Zone: a diffuser and a collar that mimic the “appeasing” pheromones secreted by nursing mother dogs. When your dog or puppy senses the pheromone, it’s intended to make him feel secure and comfortable, reducing his fear reactions and his urge to act out destructively through chewing, excessive barking or house soiling
Through a Dog’s Ear: Tested on dogs in the shelter environment, the music is meant to calm your dog through psychoacoustic techniques that naturally trigger the relaxation or arousal response. It can’t harm your dog and it’s an easy, inexpensive tool to try at home. Also check out the Canine Noise Phobia Series for dogs with sound sensitivies.
Hilton Herbs: “Tranquility Support” is an herbal calmer that will not dope or sedate your dog, but is reported to help maintain a healthy and balanced nervous system and a calm outlook. Recommend to help with over excitable dogs, rescue animals that may have received bad treatment, or simply tense, nervous sensitive dogs.
Healing Touch for Animals: Healing Touch for Animals is a holistic approach designed to support the health and well-being of animals through energy medicine and intention. HTA techniques are reported to restore harmony and balance to the animal’s energy system while providing physical, emotional, mental and instinctual stability.
Nose Work for Dogs: also called scent work, this fun activity channels your dog’s natural curiosity and interest in using his nose. This is a terrific activity for reactive or fearful dogs as it can be done one dog at a time and requires no training. An excellent confidence booster.
Agility: a fun, mental and physical exercise for dogs that builds teamwork, skills, and confidence. From home-made courses in your own yard to competition trials, agility can be adapted for just about any dog.
Dock Diving: is a dog sport in which dogs compete in jumping for distance or height from a dock into a body of water. Dogs jump one at a time and do not need to interact with one another in order to participate.
Lure Coursing, Weight Pull, and Disc Dog: three more fun dog sports that can be done without interacting with other dogs!
The DINOS Café Press Store! It’s here!! Now you can warn MDIFs off in style! Includes “Keep Back – My Dog Needs Space” gear for you and your dog!
Dog Flags and bandanas with color coded messages such as, “I’m Shy” and “Please Don’t Approach”
“Give Me Space” leash sleeves and bandanas suitable for all dogs, as well as specialty items for blind or deaf dogs in need of space. An Australian company.
“Do Not Distract” Vest from Clean Run, includes “do not pet” patch. Great for dogs in training and/or working dogs.
Angel Vest: called the “white cane for dogs”, this device is designed to assist blind dogs in feeling things in front of them. Might be useful for blind dogs who needs space, as it provides a slight buffer zone around their face.

Design Your Own Dog Vest: you choose the text, patches, and colors!
“Dog in Training” Vest from Cricket Mara of the Pawsitive Dog in Corrales, New Mexico
Caution Badges: a variety of distinct message badges for your leash, custom designs available too, from Bold Lead Designs.
Dexil Friendly Dog Collars: collars, harnesses, and leashes with clear, bold messages, such as Caution and No Dogs.
Spray Shield (Direct Stop): An excellent tool, that won’t harm you or your dogs, but can assist in stopping unwanted advances by other dogs.
Italian Basket Muzzles: flexible, with leather straps and a removable front grill for more access. Dogs can pant, bark, and drink water while wearing.
Happy Muzzle: muzzles can be cute! This style of muzzle is best worn only for short periods.
I hope this guide gives you some new ideas, tips, and lots of hope for living with your DINOS.
Check back for updates!
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Just wanted to add a training class using Control Unleashed techniques that is held in Minnesota at Paws Abilities (http://www.paws4u.com/). It’s called “Growl Class.”
Chako Pit Bull Rescue & Advocacy in Sacramento, CA also offers classes for Dog Reactivity and Basic Obedience for Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes, in addition to many other programs and resources for Pit Bull owners. Our main website is http://www.chako.org and our classes can be found at http://www.meetup.com/pitbulls
I bought one of those italian basket muzzles years ago when Lacy was on “probation” with animal control..she is a pit bull and got out one day..barked at the neighbors dogs so even though there was no biting..she was required to wear a muzzle in public for a year.
My fault she got out..and I don’t blame the neighbor for reacting..but I think it was over kill…anyway. I still have the muzzle and occasionally use it for large dog intro’s, I’ve had it for 6 years..and it wasn’t expensive at all..less than $30 I think. Really durable.
And she can pant, drink and take treats with it on..
(oh and lesson learned..teach your dog recall, manners, crate training..etc, from day one, cause it’s not cute when they scare someone. And that goes for small dogs too)
Wow – that is overkill! I wonder if they would require a muzzle if it had been a different breed? Anyway, thanks for sharing that the muzzle held up for your gal. And those are some good lessons learned!
Wanted to add that Blazing Trails K9 Academy in Lancaster/Antelope Valley CA offers classes that work with reactive dogs (our classes are done on a drop in basis with the majority of the students having worked with reactive dogs-all breeds welcome) We also have freeplay/dog/dog socialization classes particularly during spring/summer/fall months. Website is http://www.blazingtrailsk9.com
What a great resource!! You have found your calling! Will definitely share on our blog and FB…along with every person with a DINO I know!
-Jennifer
Thanks Jen! I hope it helps some of your DINOS pals : )
I love that you included information on Service Dogs here. Because not every dog who needs space, needs space because of fear or anxiety. Some dogs need space to do their jobs.
Thanks Kit, you’re absolutely right! DINOS is for any dog that needs space: to train, to work, to relax, etc. Thanks for reading!
Fetch Dog Training in Minneapolis, MN offers classes for reactive dogs – called Calm Confident Connected. http://www.fetchmpls.com
We offer offer both a shy souls class & reactive rovers class at Toledo Dog Training. http://www.toledodogtraining.com Keep up the great work & education!
Thanks Tonya – I’ll add your classes!
Alamo City Bully Breeds United in San Antonio, TX offers low cost Pit Bull only training classes.http://www.meetup.com/Alamo-City-Bully-Breeds-United/
Karen Pearce Training also in San Antonio, TX is a trainer experienced with working with dogs with issues. She is the trainer for Alamo City Bully Breed United. http://www.karenpearcetraining.com/default.html
I bought a Baskerville muzzle for vet trips with my dog. The BEST muzzle ever and I got it for less then $20 at EntirelyPets.com
The Animal Humane Society (Minnesota) offers Reactive Rovers classes at their Golden Valley location, and I’m pretty sure their Now Boarding and Woodbury locations as well.
MARS (Midwest Animal Rescue & Services) has an agility class just for DINOS!
Thanks Elisabet!
The Acadrmy in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada offers reactive dog classes. It’s on the website as well
MassDOG members have been interviewed in some excellent press coverage of the off leash recreation issue, for example, on WBUR 90.
The products that Dexil Friendly Dog Collars do are the BEST for this type of problem. I’m hearing from many people in different countries that they are being seen around a lot, if this can be a worldwide system then all would know what dogs not to approach. A truly fantastic idea that will prevent a lot of harm to children, adults and other dogs.