Living with DINOS™: A Resource Guide

Living with 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.

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 look at appropriate responses to rude behavior in the 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 about dog-dog Reactivity Treatments and 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

DINOS handouts 

Training Classes for DINOS

A note on the classes listed: Though not all DINOS are reactive, the majority (not all!) of the classes listed here are for reactive dogs, so that families looking for help can find a class near them. Specifically, most of the classes below are for dogs that are reactive towards other dogs and are not geared towards dogs with human aggression. However, some of them are open to dogs that are reactive towards humans as well. 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 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

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

MN Rochester area: Paws Abilities offers reactive Dog/Growl Class

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’

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 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 Houston: Dr. Lore Haug offers a Reactive Dog class

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

Toronto, ON: Whatta Pup and Mindful Behaviors jointly teach the Cranky Canine’s Class

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!

Gear and Tools

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

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 very 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!