At Up N Atom Dog Training, we only offer behavior modification (training for aggressive, reactive, extremely fearful/anxious dogs, resource guarding, or otherwise) through our 6+ week board and train programs. We understand that working with an aggressive or reactive dog is a serious responsibility, one that requires skill, experience, and a controlled environment to ensure both safety and long-term success. That is why we do not offer private lessons or at-home training sessions for aggressive behavior. Let me explain why.
First and foremost, dog owners are not professional dog trainers. That’s not a slight—it’s simply a reality. Training a dog, especially one struggling with aggression, is not just about telling them what to do; it’s about perfecting timing, technique, and understanding canine behavior at a deep level. A misstep in training—such as failing to read the dog’s body language or reacting with incorrect timing—can reinforce the very aggression we are trying to eliminate and poses a serious safety issue. Working with an aggressive dog without the necessary skills can put the owner, the dog, and the general public at risk. Our board and train program allows professionals with years of experience to handle these dogs correctly, giving them the structure and exposure they need in a way that is safe and effective.
Another key reason we only offer behavior modification via board and train is access to critical training resources. As professional trainers, we work with other skilled trainers, well-balanced and well-trained dogs, and controlled environments that are designed to expose dogs to their triggers safely. Dog owners, no matter how dedicated, simply do not have access to these resources on a day-to-day basis. If a dog is reactive toward other dogs, we have trained, neutral dogs that can be used to teach proper social behavior. If a dog has fear-based aggression, we can gradually and safely expose them to stressors in a controlled setting with dogs/people/distractions we can control, ensuring they learn to navigate their fears rather than react with aggression. Attempting to do this without the right environment and experience can lead to setbacks, injuries, and increased behavioral issues. Think about how often dog owners are accosted by off leash dogs in public, or people who try to pet their dogs without asking. Having the ability to regularly train in a safe, controlled environment is gold for beginning behavior modification.
Often times, dogs who are in need of behavioral training have an unhealthy mental state in their regular environment, and around their owners. These dogs may be overly clingy when new people are around, possessive, more territorial, or more nervous when at home with their family. Board and train offers a hard reset, by taking the dog out of the environment where bad behavior tends to occur. In a private lesson format, dogs may not bond to their dog trainer at all, making it difficult for the dog trainer to handle them to demonstrate techniques or to help the dog owner through a difficult training situation. Living with a dog trainer for an extended period of time allows the dog the ability to bond with a new human who has a new set of rules and expectations, and gives the dog trainer the ability to push the dog further than a dog owner may be capable of. At Up N Atom Dog Training, our trainers will only work through “stranger danger” with dogs they have a very solid relationship with for safety reasons; another important reason we only offer behavior modification through board and train.
Our goal is not just to suppress aggressive behavior but to modify it in a way that allows the dog to live a more balanced and stress-free life. Board and train programs allow us to work intensively with dogs, shaping their responses in real-time, adjusting our techniques as needed, and ensuring they are set up for success before transitioning back to their owners. Our programs tend to be longer when dealing with behavioral concerns (at least six weeks) to give the dog time to settle into their new routine/environment, bond with their dog trainer, and de-stress. We then try to tap into some feel-good activities to make the dog enjoy the training, by using jackpot reward events, and building play into the dogs daily routine. Once the dog is happy, working for food/toys, and in a good space to begin learning, we then teach the dog obedience skills in controlled environments to help prepare them for the real world. This process takes a few weeks, before we’re about to “take it on the road” in new environments where life is less predictable. Skipping the first few steps may result in a trained dog, but it does nothing to address WHY the dog is experiencing behavioral issues to begin with. We aren’t willing to cut corners when it comes to behavior modification, so the longer duration is important to us.
Once a dog has undergone the proper foundation training in our program, we can then guide the owners on how to maintain the progress at home. This is a critical step; training only works if you work it, so making sure the dog owner knows how to play with their dog, how to reward them in a way that builds confidence, how to use their training equipment, how to read their dog, and how to enforce the new training skills is a high priority. Private lessons with a dog who has already been trained, and has been in difficult environments WITH their dog trainer, tend to be significantly less overwhelming to the dog owner. Rather than learning how to train a dog, the owner now gets to learn how to better live with the trained dog. It is safer, and tends to be more effective for all involved.
We understand that every dog is unique, and behavior modification requires a tailored approach. But one thing remains constant: handling aggression requires experience, control, and access to the right tools and environments. That is why we at Up N Atom Dog Training stand by our board and train programs as our safest and most effective way for us to help aggressive dogs and their owners achieve lasting success.
