Training vs. Behavior Consulting

The difference matters—especially for aggression, hyperarousal, fear, and complex behavior.

Most clients come to me after trying training that didn’t “stick.” The dog still growls, guards, bites, escalates, or becomes overwhelmed. This isn’t a training failure—it's a behavior systems issue.

Here’s how behavior consulting helps:
Dog Training and Bonding. Woman rewarding her corgi with treats in a sunny park.

Beyond the Clicker and Treats

Training teaches skills. Behavior consulting changes emotional capacity nervous system state, and decision making

When a dog is overthreshold, panicked, controlling access, or biting, they cannot use obedience skills reliably. They need:

  • Stabilization
  • Predictability
  • Emotional regulation
  • Management
  • Behavior plan
  • Veterinary collaboration

This is the domain of behavior consulting—not traditional training.

Why stabilization comes before training

Dogs who are flooded or aroused cannot learn. Training only “works” after stabilization. Stabilization includes:

  • House layout changes
  • Environment control
  • Bounce-back time
  • Predictable routines
  • Trigger reduction
  • Safety plans
  • Medication collaboration (if appropriate)

Only then do we layer in skills work.

Dog lying on a green wooden bench, looking away with a hand reaching towards it.

Aggression, biting, guarding, fear, and hyperarousal are not obedience issues.

These behaviors come from:

  • Trigger stacking
  • Nervous system dysregulation
  • Pain or medical contribution
  • Genetic predisposition
  • History
  • Learning patterns
  • Lack of recovery time
  • Sensory overwhelm

This requires a deep, slow, steady behavior plan, not more “sit” reps.

Smiling woman hugging a happy dog while lying on a sofa in a cozy living room.

Behavior Modification

You get clarity, safety, and realistic expectations Behavior consulting gives you a roadmap that answers:

  • What is happening
  • Why it’s happening
  • What to change in the environment
  • How to reduce conflict and escalation
  • What skills to build
  • What to avoid
  • When to reintroduce challenges

You’re not just “teaching commands”—you’re reshaping a life system.

 
This is for families who want long-term change.

We work with:

  • Aggression cases
  • Resource guarding
  • Conflict between family members and other dogs
  • Hyperarousal and “over the top” behavior
  • Fear and anxiety
  • Complex multi-layer cases

If this is your dog, behavior consulting is the path that will serve you both.

Training vs. Behavior Solutions

These lists are not exhaustive—each training and behavior plan is uniquely crafted to align with your aspirations and objectives for your dog.
Basic Manners

Good Manners

For puppies and new-to-you dogs.

Private Training or Puppy Program

Get Started

Focus

Touch or Targeting

Sit

Down

Place & Settle

Wait

Stay

Recall

Take it

Drop it

Leave it

Find it, and more!

Basic Skills

Essential Skills

For puppies and new-to-you dogs.

Private Training or Puppy Program

Get Started

Potty Training

Crate Training

Polite Greetings

Leash Walking

Reliable Recall

Handling & Grooming

Vet Visits

Car Rides

Socialization

and more!

Problem Solving

Common Issues

Behavior that is frustrating, annoying, and needs fine tuning.

Tailored Training Plan

Get Started

Potty Accidents

Jumping

Mouthing

Chewing

Digging

Barking

Stealing Items

Counter Surfing

Pulling on Leash

Won't come when called

Ignoring you

and more!

Behavior Consulting

Complex Behavior

Behaviors that are scary, hard to manage, and need intervention.

Behavior Modification Plan

Get Behavior Help

Leash or Barrier Reactivity

Hyperactivity, Restlessness

Separation Anxiety

Noise Sensitivity

Touch Sensitivity

Issues at Vet, Groomer, or Daycare

Phobias

Chasing Lights, Reflections, or Shadows

Compulsive Behavior

Resource Guarding

Frustration Intolerance

Poor Self-regulation

Stranger Danger, Shy or Fearful

Fear Aggression

Aggression Toward People and Animals

Bite incident(s)

and more.

Thank you Diane for taking such loving care of our beloved Frankie and Billie!! You spoiled them royally with amazing adventures while dog sitting for us. It was a relief to know they were in such great hands, learning from you, while being able to stay at home while we were away. We have already signed up for our next trip!

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M.J. Hawes

M.J. Hawes

1 year ago

My husband and I were having increasing problems with our adolescent dog lunging and barking at other dogs on walks. Devi and Diane each came to our house for a few private sessions and gave us the tools we needed to help understand our dog. We were given tools to practice. We also attended a group reactive dog class (twice) which gave us great opportunities to continue to work on our skills. Our walks are much less stressful and the playday people report that he is much more confident and engaging in playday. We’re amazed and how few sessions it took to make a difference. I highly recommend investing in your dog if you’re struggling with behavior issues. Devi and Diane really care about you and your dog. They have both stayed after the sessions to make sure we were comfortable with how the lesson went and what is next.

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Debbie Haro

Debbie Haro

1 year ago

We've had a our dog Ace for 9 months and he's a 5 year old mix (minpin, boxer, toy fox terrier, etc) from the streets. Super anxious reactive barky boy. Devi and Diane have really helped us improve, control and understand Ace's behavior, especially with this being my first dog! They are kind, patient, answer all my questions in a timely manner, and I love how much they love my dog. I trust in them to continue helping us with Ace, we've come such a long way from where we started and learned so much! It's a slow difficult process to get Ace tame but I leave each session having learned something and feeling much more optimistic. If your dog is crazy like mine go to these guys lol

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Laura Sterling

Laura Sterling

1 year ago

Dependable, flexible, trustworthy... we will continue to utilize this great service.

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James Smith

James Smith

1 year ago

My vet recommended See Spot Behave to help in training our very large deaf pitbull mix to reduce his anxiety and excitability and to walk on a leash. He is so big that jumping on people is problematic and he was impossible to walk since he would always grab/bite the leash and initiate a game of tug of war, which he would always win. I feared walking him because if he got away from me his chances of being hit by a car were high due to his disability. Diane was so patient with me and him as she worked with us. She suggested several techniques to keep him calm on walks. A prong collar finally did the trick. Now, he can go on 5 mile walks without losing it. Thanks to Diane’s knowledge and expertise in dog behavior training walking him is one of my favorite things to do. We recently got a puppy and I have already enlisted Diane to help with his training as well.

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Nancy Campanozzi

Nancy Campanozzi

1 year ago

CANNOT say enough good things about Diane and Devi. They gave me my dream dog. Diane is an incredible trainer and Devi is such an intelligent behavior expert. I brought my pup Gracie to them when she was just a baby. Now they were able to get her a Canine Good Citizen verification and she can go anywhere and everywhere with me without making a sound. If you want the best dog in the world, look go further.

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Brittany Roach

Brittany Roach

1 year ago

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