A comprehensive online mentorship course for dog professionals on how to work with dogs who growl, bark, lunge, snap or otherwise act like maniacs on leash.
A comprehensive online mentorship course for dog professionals on how to work with dogs who growl, bark, lunge, snap or otherwise act like maniacs on leash.
Comprehensive Content
Leash reactivity cases are complex – and so is this course. From your initial assessment to training in real life scenarios, this course walks you through every step from beginning to end. Learn how to approach a variety of reactivity cases, complete with case studies, training videos, and the nuanced details that tie it all together.
Curated Mentorship Sessions
No more getting lost in a sea of participants or dealing with conversations that go off the rails in live meetings – mentorship sessions are curated with a focus on critical thinking, organized topics, and the ability to collaborate and connect with others.
Get Guidance on Your Own Cases
Ask questions and receive support in the community, in addition to the live mentorship sessions. No topic is off the table! Get feedback on your own leash reactivity cases, and learn from others doing the same.
Meet Your Mentor
Hi! I’m Jessica Wheatcraft, CDBC. My journey with reactive dogs started in 2004 when I adopted my heart dog, Harley. She was reactive on leash towards dogs, people, and motorcycles, and learning how to help her set me on the path to becoming a professional trainer myself. During my early years of training, I assumed all reactive dogs required the same approach. I didn’t understand the nuances of leash reactivity, and looking back, I could have served my clients a lot better. But I can’t change the past and I believe that when you know better, you do better. I was always open to learning, and reactive dogs have been my greatest teachers.
6-7 years into my training journey, I started to see more and more reactive dogs in my caseload. I began experimenting with different approaches, finding that certain dogs responded better to methods than others. I took all of this data into account, and expanded my “toolbox.”
At the same time, I also began to prioritize the human end of leash reactivity cases. After all, if I couldn’t get the human client on board, their dog wasn’t going to progress. I designed a variety of services to best serve my reactive dog clients, including home school programs and specialty group classes.
My clients thrived, their dogs progressed quickly, and I loved knowing that they lived happier, more fulfilled lives together because I was able to expand their worlds.
I’m drawn to leash reactivity cases because these dogs are wildly misunderstood. Their behavior on leash is almost never indicative of their behavior off leash. I believe every dog is an individual, and it’s up to us as the professionals to understand them, and to formulate the best approach to help them (and their human) succeed.
Now, 17 years into my training journey, I designed this mentorship to include everything I wish I had known. Things that would have saved me time, money, and heartache before I knew a better way. Whether you already work with reactive dogs, or you want to learn how, this course can fill in the gaps you haven’t learned elsewhere. I look forward to working with you!
Elevate your work with reactive dogs today!
Elevate your work with reactive dogs today!
What’s Included
➡️ Over 22 hours of content taking you through leash reactivity cases from start to finish
➡️ Self-study modules combined with weekly live mentorship sessions (included with Group and Premium versions)
➡️ Numerous case studies covering a variety of leash reactivity cases, highlighting various approaches depending on the individual dog. See course curriculum below.
➡️ Guest segments with experts Sarah Owings KPA-CTP, Chris Pachel DVM, DACVB, CABC, Laurie Lawless CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA, and John Imler CPT, LFDM
➡️ Access to online community with other students where you can ask questions, and get support with your cases (included with Group and Premium versions)
➡️ Lifetime access to course material
➡️ CEUs: IAABC: 26.25, CCPDT: 26.25, KPA 26
What Students Have to Say
I have just completed the Leash reactivity for Professionals Mentorship Course by Jessica Wheatcraft and I can confidently say that every aspect of this experience has been exceptional, particularly the content which went above and beyond my expectations. Jessica possesses a rare ability to take theory and apply it to unique situations, make it easy to understand and engaging. Not only did she provide ample material on leash reactivity specifically with cases and videos but she included guidance on behavior consultations, assessments, interactions with clients, interactions with veterinarians, live mentorships sessions, webinars by other experts in the field and so much more. The weekly zoom meetings were really fun, discussing concepts and cases with other trainers in a friendly open community. I would highly recommend this course to professionals who want to increase their understanding of leash reactivity but I would also recommend it to anyone starting out in the dog training industry. This course will give you everything you need to get started.
Melanie Chin CPDT-KA, CBCC
Next Group Mentorship for February 2025
- Starts February 16th 2025
- 10 consecutive weeks
- Live mentorship sessions are at 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern
- Weekly self-study modules to review
- All mentorship meetings are recorded
- Replay library available in community in case you miss a session
- Flexible payment options
- Access to online community for help + feedback
Next Group Mentorship for February 2025
- Starts February 16th 2025
- 10 consecutive weeks
- Live mentorship sessions are at 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern
- Weekly self-study modules to review
- All mentorship meetings are recorded
- Replay library available in community in case you miss a session
- Flexible payment options
- Access to online community for help + feedback
What Students Have to Say
The Leash Reactivity Mentorship program is outstanding and I highly recommend to dog professionals who want to increase their knowledge base. It provides an in-depth exploration of leash reactivity, covering the topic comprehensively from start to finish. The program also features a host of informative and knowledgeable guest speakers who enrich the learning experience. Jessica adeptly guides participants through the nuances of managing leash-reactive dogs, from initial client engagement to the completion of the training process. As a dog trainer with over six years of experience in addressing leash reactivity, I found the course to be immensely beneficial, equipping me with numerous practical skills that I have integrated into my training practice. Furthermore, Jessica’s inclusion of detailed case studies adds a practical dimension to the course. These studies demonstrate real-world applications, showcasing the management of common challenges faced by professionals in this field. For those specializing in reactive dog training, this course is indispensable.
Kim Guy
CPDT-KA, FDM
What Students Have to Say
The Leash Reactivity Mentorship program is outstanding and I highly recommend to dog professionals who want to increase their knowledge base. It provides an in-depth exploration of leash reactivity, covering the topic comprehensively from start to finish. The program also features a host of informative and knowledgeable guest speakers who enrich the learning experience. Jessica adeptly guides participants through the nuances of managing leash-reactive dogs, from initial client engagement to the completion of the training process. As a dog trainer with over six years of experience in addressing leash reactivity, I found the course to be immensely beneficial, equipping me with numerous practical skills that I have integrated into my training practice. Furthermore, Jessica’s inclusion of detailed case studies adds a practical dimension to the course. These studies demonstrate real-world applications, showcasing the management of common challenges faced by professionals in this field. For those specializing in reactive dog training, this course is indispensable.
Kim Guy
CPDT-KA, FDM
On Demand
$499
If you don’t require the mentorship sessions, or if you’d rather have access to the course immediately, this version is for you.
Go through the course at your own pace, with lifetime access.
Note – this version does not include access to the live mentorship sessions or the online community.
Click HERE to register.
Premium
$1,449
The premium version of the mentorship is available for anyone who prefers one on one mentoring. We’ll go through the course together, and you’ll receive weekly private mentorship sessions focused solely on your needs. Enjoy flexible scheduling, and extra time to complete the mentorship sessions.
The premium version includes:
- Lifetime access to the course and online community
- 10 private mentorship sessions, scheduled over a period of 16 weeks
- The ability to choose your meeting times (ideal for busy professionals or those in different time zones)
After you register you’ll be prompted to book a one on one call with me to begin your onboarding process.
Click HERE to register.
Guest Segments from Other Experts
Sarah Owings KPA-CTP
Sarah is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and long time educator. She specializes in the practical application of learning principles, transforming the lives of challenging dogs, as well as the lives of the humans that care for them. As an international speaker and regular contributor to both online and in-person conferences, she is known for innovative approaches to tough behavior problems and compassionate and insightful teaching. Sarah has written for Clean Run Magazine on topics such as stimulus control, release cues, and toy-specific cues. She currently gets her fill of what she calls “brave learning” as a member of the ClickerExpo faculty, and as a curriculum designer and instructor for two online training platforms, Tromplo and Cyber Scent Online.
John Imler LFDM, CPT
With a background spanning service in the military and in law enforcement along with a decade at a Fortune 500 company, in 2014 John turned a lifelong passion of working with dogs into a career focusing on helping dogs reach their potential and humans truly appreciate the dogs they live with. He is a Licensed Family Dog Mediator as well as an Ambassador and Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP). He was named Member of the Year in 2020 and has served on the Board of Directors. He lives outside of Louisville, Kentucky with his family and an array of animals.
Laurie Lawless CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA
Laurie Lawless (she/her), is a dedicated dog behavior expert with a passion for helping dogs overcome challenges. Canine reactivity is one of the most challenging issues that present to both her private clients and in her shelter work, and has focused much of her career on figuring out ways to reduce and resolve reactivity in a variety of contexts and environments. With a background in animal advocacy, positive reinforcement training, and sheltering, Laurie focuses on resolving complex behavior issues to keep families together and collaborates with shelters to create or enhance behavior programs.
Chris Pachel DVM, DACVB, CABC
Dr. Chris Pachel is a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and is the owner and lead clinician at the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Pachel lectures extensively both domestically and internationally, teaches courses at multiple veterinary schools in the United States, and has authored numerous articles and book chapters for veterinarians and pet owners. He is a sought-after expert witness for legal cases and serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for dvm360. He is also a Vice-president of Veterinary Behavior for Instinct Dog Behavior and Training, as well as co-owner of Instinct Portland, which opened in the fall of 2020.
What Students Have to Say
At the time of writing this review, I had three years of being a certified dog trainer under my belt. After getting help from another trainer for my own reactive dogs, I fell in love with dog training and found my passion in helping other people and their dogs. But I couldn’t bring myself to take on reactive dog clients myself. Something was holding me back – I was still lacking the confidence and knowledge I felt I needed to take on these clients. I decided to do something about it and found my way to Jessica’s course! I’m so happy I found her because this course has finally given me the knowledge and confidence I felt I was missing. It’s so informative and easy to follow, and Jessica goes so much into detail about the different types of reactivity and how to address them. I even learned some new things about my own reactive dogs after taking this course! Now, I feel ready to help people with reactive dogs which is what got me into this field in the first place. Thank you Jessica!
Lauren Zubasic
The Curriculum: 10 Modules
Assessing Leash Reactive Dogs
A deep dive into how to assess leash reactive dogs, which pieces of their behavior are most relevant, and how your assessment guides your training and behavior modification plan.
Examining Approaches to Leash Reactivity
Understanding popular approaches, their function, and why you might choose one approach over the other for an individual dog.
The Human End
How to collaborate with the client and troubleshoot common issues including cooperation and follow through. What to do when a case doesn’t go as planned, including common scenarios and strategies to get your training programs back on track.
The Medical Side
What do you do when the dog requires medical care such as pain management or behavior medication as part of your training program? Guest segment with Dr. Chris Pachel: exploring the medical side of behavior consulting and how to work with the dog’s medical care team.
Structuring Services for Reactive Dogs
Go beyond reactive rover classes and one off private lessons – how to offer comprehensive programs for reactive dogs that meet the needs of both ends of the leash. How to decide which program is best suited to an individual client. Guest segment with John Imler: establishing healthy boundaries with clients, and how to work, play, and grow in this industry.
Reinforcement Strategies
How you reinforce is just as important as what you reinforce! Understanding various reinforcement strategies to optimize your training. Guest segment with Sarah Owings: how to bring more clarity to your training via thoughtful applications of reinforcement.
Management & Leash Handling Skills
Teaching clients how to manage their dogs. Guest segment with Laurie Lawless: leash handling skills 101 for reactive dogs, how to manage a reactive dog in public, and how to break these down step by step for your clients.
Understanding Behavior and Training Concepts
Setting and adjusting criteria, thresholds, and environmental cues. The interplay of criteria and thresholds when exposing a reactive dog to another dog. How to set and adjust criteria, a deeper understanding of thresholds and when to push forward or pull back. Environmental cues – what they are and how to leverage their power.
Training for the Real World 1
Utilizing assistants and helper dogs for maximum effectiveness. Creating set ups for your reactive dog clients – how to apply the skills they have learned via strategic exposure to other dogs to rehearse both stationary and in motion behaviors, mimicking real world scenarios. Bring more clarity to your set ups using course circles, routines and patterns.
Training for the Real World 2
How to move towards “real world” applications with your training program, and how to help your human client feel confident moving forward on their own. How to continue supporting your clients and offering services to practice controlled exposure with new dogs.
BONUS Section! Effective Information Gathering
Everything you need to know for effective information gathering prior to your consultation, what to include in your behavior consultation, and how to structure them to set the stage for ongoing training programs.
AND – Case Studies in every module
In depth case studies every week including reactive dogs who are: hyper vigilant, hyper aroused, fearful, confident/territorial, conflicted/unsure, reactive towards wheeled objects, and dog social/frustrated. Learn the dogs’ history, why a specific approach was chosen, the application of training skills, and application to real life scenarios.
The Curriculum: 10 Modules
Assessing Leash Reactive Dogs
A deep dive into how to assess leash reactive dogs, which pieces of their behavior are most relevant, and how your assessment guides your training and behavior modification plan.
Examining Approaches to Leash Reactivity
Understanding popular approaches, their function, and why you might choose one approach over the other for an individual dog.
The Human End
How to collaborate with the client and troubleshoot common issues including cooperation and follow through. What to do when a case doesn’t go as planned, including common scenarios and strategies to get your training programs back on track.
The Medical Side
What do you do when the dog requires medical care such as pain management or behavior medication as part of your training program? Guest segment with Dr. Chris Pachel: exploring the medical side of behavior consulting and how to work with the dog’s medical care team.
Structuring Services for Reactive Dogs
Go beyond reactive rover classes and one off private lessons – how to offer comprehensive programs for reactive dogs that meet the needs of both ends of the leash. How to decide which program is best suited to an individual client. Guest segment with John Imler: establishing healthy boundaries with clients, and how to work, play, and grow in this industry.
Reinforcement Strategies
How you reinforce is just as important as what you reinforce! Understanding various reinforcement strategies to optimize your training. Guest segment with Sarah Owings: how to bring more clarity to your training via thoughtful applications of reinforcement.
Management & Leash Handling Skills
Teaching clients how to manage their dogs. Guest segment with Laurie Lawless: leash handling skills 101 for reactive dogs, how to manage a reactive dog in public, and how to break these down step by step for your clients.
Understanding Behavior and Training Concepts
Setting and adjusting criteria, thresholds, and environmental cues. The interplay of criteria and thresholds when exposing a reactive dog to another dog. How to set and adjust criteria, a deeper understanding of thresholds and when to push forward or pull back. Environmental cues – what they are and how to leverage their power.
Training for the Real World 1
Utilizing assistants and helper dogs for maximum effectiveness. Creating set ups for your reactive dog clients – how to apply the skills they have learned via strategic exposure to other dogs to rehearse both stationary and in motion behaviors, mimicking real world scenarios. Bring more clarity to your set ups using course circles, routines and patterns.
Training for the Real World 2
How to move towards “real world” applications with your training program, and how to help your human client feel confident moving forward on their own. How to continue supporting your clients and offering services to practice controlled exposure with new dogs.
BONUS Section! Effective Information Gathering
Everything you need to know for effective information gathering prior to your consultation, what to include in your behavior consultation, and how to structure them to set the stage for ongoing training programs.
AND – Case Studies in every module
In depth case studies every week including reactive dogs who are: hyper vigilant, hyper aroused, fearful, confident/territorial, conflicted/unsure, reactive towards wheeled objects, and dog social/frustrated. Learn the dogs’ history, why a specific approach was chosen, the application of training skills, and application to real life scenarios.
What Students Have to Say
I thoroughly enjoyed the Leash Reactivity for Professionals Mentorship course. Each module was meticulously crafted, offering a wealth of linked resources that enriched the learning experience. The thoughtful organization of the content made it easy to follow, and I plan to revisit and save the plethora of resources provided. The weekly discussions were invaluable, with Jessica attentively addressing every inquiry and guiding us in expanding our “tool box.” As a visual learner, the inclusion of videos and examples was especially beneficial, helping me grasp the concepts and see the bigger picture. I also really appreciated how calm and collected Jessica was throughout the course. Her composure is evident in her teaching approach, and I can see how it makes a significant difference, especially when dealing with Leash Reactivity and the stress that pet parents may be experiencing. Whether you’re a novice or experienced in dog training, I wholeheartedly recommend this course—it caters to everyone. Thank you, Jessica, for a fantastic course; I have enjoyed implementing the knowledge nuggets you’ve shared!
Nicki Einstein
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course start?
The next group mentorship starts February 16th 2025.
Live mentorship meeting dates are Sundays: 2/16, 2/23, *skipping 3/2*, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/13, 4/20 and 4/27. Meeting times are 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern each week.
The On Demand and Premium versions are available to start anytime
Tell me more about how the mentorship works
For Group: Self study modules are reviewed on your own time. They are recorded presentations with videos, in addition to resources (written, videos, books, podcasts) that complement the topics. Plan for 90-120 minutes per week reviewing material.
Live mentorship sessions are designed to expand the conversation from that week’s material, get input on your own cases, collaborate with others and ask questions (75 minutes long).
Mentorship meetings are recorded, so if you miss one, you can view it on your own time. However, attending the mentorship meetings is highly recommended – that’s your chance to dive deep into the topics and get all of your questions answered!
You can also ask questions and receive support in the online community.
For Premium: Same as the group, but with private mentorship sessions, and the ability to choose your mentorship session time(s).
On Demand: Review the modules on your own.
Does this course qualify for CEUs?
Yes!
IAABC: 26.25 CEUs
CCPDT: 26.25 CEUs
KPA: 26
*In order to earn your CEUs, you must complete the course + participate in a minimum of 5 mentorship meetings for Group and Premium options. For On Demand, you’ll need to complete quizzes at the end of each module in lieu of mentorship meetings*
What training methods do you use in the course material?
I am a positive reinforcement-based trainer, and I leverage whatever the dog finds most reinforcing (food, toys, access to people or dogs, etc). I prioritize the emotional welfare of the dog (and their human) in training, in addition to a strong focus on clarity in my communication. You’ll see a lot of systematic desensitization, and differential reinforcement strategies. In some cases, I use head halters.
How long do I get access to the material?
Group: Lifetime access to course. Access to live mentorship sessions for 10 weeks, and the online community and mentorship meeting recordings for 6 months from start date.
On Demand: Lifetime access to course. No access to mentorship sessions or online community.
Premium: Lifetime access to course, mentorship meeting recordings, and online community. Access to live mentorship sessions for 16 weeks.
The online community is a space to ask questions and receive continued support for your leash reactivity cases.
I'm a newer trainer, is this course right for me?
This course is suitable for newer and experienced trainers and behavior consultants, and dog behavior enthusiasts.
Do you offer payment options?
Yes! Pay in full, or payment plans split over 2 or 3 months are available for most versions.
I want to take this course, but the dates don’t work for me…
The On Demand version is available anytime.
You might also consider the Premium version, which offers flexibility in scheduling.
I offer the group mentorship 2-3x per year, so be on the lookout for the round after February, coming summer 2025.
I still have some questions before I sign up…
I’m happy to chat with you! Book a complimentary call with me here
Get the confidence to help reactive dogs reach their fullest potential today!