Taming triggers

Taming Triggers is an outdoor class designed to increase your dog’s coping skills. Two instructors coach four pairs of dogs and dog parents through simple skills that build resiliency around emotional triggers, such as the sight of unknown dogs.

The first class meets online and demonstrates five simple skills used throughout the course. The following four in-person lessons meet at the class location, followed by one last online class.

You’ll use the five skills and improve your timing to keep your dog under their emotional limit while increasing coping capacity.  

What you’ll need for the class: 

• A portable mat like a towel or small throw.

• Dog harness with D-rings on the chest and back (our favorite is the Freedom Harness).

• Two leashes--attached to each D-ring--or a leash with two clasps, attached at each end to D-rings (our favorite leash is the 8 foot, 8 way leash by Bold Lead Design).

• A trail mix of food, like kibble, dog snacks, cheese, meat, etc.—cut up to M&M-sized pieces.

• “Lickable food” like meat baby food, cream cheese, gravy, or peanut butter--in a squeezable travel container.

• A bandana tied to your leash.

This class will meet in the parking lot of the National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002.