Co-authored by Sheila Gunston and Cat Harbord
Are you using words like fearful, dominant or out of control when describing your dog? Are you doubting your ability to understand and implement the different training tools you’ve been working so diligently to learn? Perhaps you find yourself spinning in circles, trying to find solutions. There is a way to jump off this crazy train.
According to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, “Reactive dogs become overly aroused by common stimuli. They may lunge, bark and growl, becoming so preoccupied with whatever is triggering the emotion that they can be difficult to control and move out of the situation.” This may be the working definition of canine reactivity, but what if there’s more to it than just being over aroused by common stimuli?
We like to take a different approach, by ensuring that we are looking at more than just the behaviors we see emerging on the surface. It looks through multiple lenses, uncovering details that are often missed by typical dog training culture and its common advice. Consider an iceberg - what we see above the water are the emerging behaviors that we can visibly observe. However, without looking past the surface into the much larger part of the iceberg, we miss all of the many layers of WHY these visible behaviors are occurring in the first place.
To be able to see what is below the surface of the iceberg requires a complete shift in the way that we think about and understand dog behavior. It's about putting those puzzle pieces together in a new order to make sense of what we're seeing and this is what Thrive does for us.
Thrive Learning SystemTM is a living, breathing system that creates harmony between dog and guardian resulting in actual change, rather than yet another scripted training plan that often results in more training. Our system enables you to "insert" yourself into what is happening with your dog in real time. It allows you to respond rather than react, because you will have a thorough understanding of WHY your dog is struggling in the moment.
*Introducing a ground-breaking online course*
Rover Re-Imagined: From Calamity to Clarity
Who is this program for?
This program is for Dog Trainers, Behavior Consultants, Shelter Workers and Volunteers, Dog Guardians and anyone who shares their life with a canine companion who may be new to the dog world or have perhaps been stuck using the same interventions for years without any real success.
This program is for anyone trying to work through or learn more about behaviors like:
- Fear
- Aggression
- Leash Reactivity
- Territorial behaviors
- Protective behaviors
- Hyperactivity
- Anxiety
- Lunging
- Barking
- Screaming
- Biting
- Growling
- Not listening
- Scrappy behaviors
- Jealousy
- Out of control behaviors
- Extreme leash pulling
- Dragging you/people down while on leash
- Causing embarrassment in public
- Causing disappointment and shame
What is the cost of this course, and can I work at my own pace?
This course is offered at an early bird rate of $99 CDN until Aug 20, 2023 (regular rate is $199) and is approximately 11hrs in length. It includes 25yrs of combined experience of two well educated Professional Canine Behavior Consultants who have worked tirelessly on their education and applied experience.
Yes, this course is developed to be explored at your own pace. Each unit has been carefully organized in manageable time frames, to ensure that the content is understandable regardless of the level of education you may or may not have. It will be available to you for one year from the date of purchase.
Will I have an opportunity for additional support after I complete the course?
Yes, both Cat and Sheila are available for many different levels of support once you’ve completed the course. Their contact information is provided within the program.
What can I expect to learn from this course?
With the Rover Re-Imagined program, you can expect to learn not only about WHY a dog does what he does but how to meet him where he is in the moment. You will learn about complex behavior through several different lenses and will be able to identify a difficult situation before it arises and actually become a problem.
You will learn several new skills, tips and tricks! With those skills, tips and tricks you will begin to create your own path that’s best for you and for the dog you live or work with. This is not a cookie cutter program and it doesn’t offer cookie cutter solutions. The solutions will arise from a deeper, more thorough understanding of the dog in front of you. This means that if a new, difficult behavior arises in the future, you’ll have the tools, the knowledge and the confidence to “Thrive it Out” on your own.
Thrive Learning SystemTM gives you not only a program, but a new way of thinking. It is the solution to complex behavior and all that encompasses it.
Are there additional courses that I could take that would offer certification if I find that Thrive Learning SystemTM is right for me?
There are a multitude of continuing education options available for everyone at every level, with more programs being added regularly. You can choose a more comprehensive level of education like the Canine Complexity Series if you are a professional and would like to certify, or if you are a dog guardian who has caught the training bug, less time intensive webinars on many different topics are available.
Are you ready to Thrive?
It’s time to reimagine life with Rover. Imagine being able to walk your dog and him knowing he can trust you. He will know that you have things under control and that there’s no need for him to react anymore.
Imagine being able to have friends and family visit again. Imagine your family not fighting over how to deal with the dog, over and over.
Imagine receiving updates from clients who no longer feel “stuck” and are actively and collaboratively involved in the training process. This means no longer doubting your abilities or feeling like you’ve run out of tools in your toolbox. Thrive Learning SystemTM will help both you and your clients to become “unstuck” with game changing knowledge, tools and strategies.