how we train
Aggression
Training
Practical goals for
everyday life
Aggression training starts with a detailed history: what happens, who is involved, where it occurs and whether anyone has been bitten. We build an individualized plan around your dog and the situations your household needs to manage.
Explore focused help for leash reactivity and resource guarding, and review our training methods. Tell us about sudden behavior changes or possible discomfort so veterinary assessment can be considered alongside training.
Excitement and frustration
Some dogs bark or lunge when they cannot reach another dog or person. Others need more space. A single behavior, such as lying down as a dog approaches, does not tell us the whole story.
We discuss the lead-up to reactions, your walking routes and your handling goals. Training may focus on attention, loose-leash walking, moving away and passing distractions at a workable distance. Greeting every dog is not a necessary goal. Read more about leash reactivity training.
fearful / anxious dogs
For dogs who react when worried or uncomfortable, the plan needs to account for the trigger, distance, environment and history. We discuss what your dog can handle and build practical skills through manageable practice.
Owner coaching includes recognizing when to create space, avoiding unnecessary confrontations and making daily routines more predictable. Progress is assessed through your dog’s behavior and your ability to use the plan, rather than assuming that quiet behavior alone means a dog is comfortable.
Individual temperament and realistic goals
Dogs differ in temperament, experience and comfort around unfamiliar people or animals. Your goals should reflect the dog in front of you. For some households, the priority is managed distance, reliable handling and calmer routines rather than social greetings.
We discuss limitations as well as training goals. A program does not guarantee that a dog can safely greet every person or dog, and ongoing management may remain part of the plan.
resource aggression
Guarding may involve food, chews, toys, resting places or access to a person. Describe the specific situation and any warning signs or bite history during your consultation.
Our resource guarding page explains how we approach household routines, management and individualized training. Avoid testing the behavior by reaching for guarded items or setting up confrontations.
Schedule a free consultation with one of our head trainers: Mara for Texas or Tina for Colorado. We will discuss your dog’s history, goals and program fit, then help match you with a trainer.
Private training is available in Austin and Boulder. Compare owner-led Tutoring, trainer-led Homeschool and trainer-home Study Abroad. Board and train is offered in Texas and the Denver area; suitability depends on your dog and goals. Owner coaching remains important when training transfers home.
Case Study: Bean: aggression, guests and everyday outings
Starting point: Christian Evans described Bean, a two-year-old Coton, as reactive on leash and aggressive, with persistent barking around houseguests. Walks and visits from friends or family had become difficult.
Work described: Will helped build a foundation of commands to settle Bean and coached the owners to handle situations with more confidence.
Reported outcome: Christian described welcoming guests again and taking Bean to coffee shops and busy hiking trails. The review below gives the owner’s account, including their reported timeline.
Christian Evans’s review, quoted in full:
“Working with Traction was the best decision we’ve made for our 2 year old Coton, Bean. We’ve worked with a lot of trainers before, but didn’t see nearly the same results as we did in the three weeks working with Will.
Bean originally had leash reactivity and aggression, and was incredibly bark-y in our house with any guest. We couldn’t have friends or family over, and didn’t feel comfortable taking her on walks. Will did a great job of creating a foundation of commands that we could use to help settle her, and was also incredibly patient when it came to teaching us how to be more confident and supportive pet owners.
After three weeks of training, we’ve now had guests over (multiple times!), have taken her to coffee shops, and have walked her on busy hiking trails. Our quality of life has improved, and so has Bean’s!”
Review by Christian Evans
