Mentoring for Dog Trainers
Deepen Your Knowledge as a Trainer
Advance your training and help your clients achieve better results
We get it. You’re passionate about what you do and you’re always striving for professional growth. You want to learn all you can, but some of the courses you’ve taken leave you with more questions than answers. You’re left wondering “am I approaching this case correctly?” or “is this how all of the other trainers are doing it?” You want something that gives you the confidence to handle complex reactivity cases. Through our courses, mentoring and live events we provide you with the education and support that allows you to apply your knowledge and skills immediately into your own practice.
What We Do
Reactivity, Refined
The most comprehensive course on leash reactivity available anywhere
Whether you are new to leash reactivity cases or looking for fresh ways to expand your toolbox, this course dives deep into the nuances and covers every step of the way. With over 22 hours of content, you’ll learn how to transform your work with reactive dogs. This course has 3 options: self study, cohort, and private. Learn more about the course and which option suits your needs here.
1:1 Mentoring
Having a mentor to bounce ideas off of, get assistance with your cases and ask questions gets you out of imposter syndrome and into serving your clients in the way you KNOW you are capable of. Get out of your head and into the hands on work you love via our 1:1 mentorship options.
Live Events
Expand your knowledge on leash reactivity and other behavior challenges via our live events! Whether in person or online, we always have something for you to look forward to.
What We Do
Reactivity, Refined
The most comprehensive course on leash reactivity available anywhere
Whether you are new to leash reactivity cases or looking for fresh ways to expand your toolbox, this course dives deep into the nuances and covers every step of the way. With over 22 hours of content, you’ll learn how to transform your work with reactive dogs. This course has 3 options: self study, cohort, and private. Learn more about the course and which option suits your needs here.
1:1 Mentoring
Having a mentor to bounce ideas off of, get assistance with your cases and ask questions gets you out of imposter syndrome and into serving your clients in the way you KNOW you are capable of. Get out of your head and into the hands on work you love via our 1:1 mentorship options.
Live Events
Expand your knowledge on leash reactivity and other behavior challenges via our live events! Whether in person or online, we always have something for you to look forward to.
The right questions lead you to the right answers…
Understand reactive dogs by knowing exactly what to ask. Get my 12 page guide for FREE today!
Reactivity, Refined
Online Course and Mentorship
What’s Included
- Over 22 hours of content taking you through leash reactivity cases from start to finish
- Extra resources to expand your learning
- Lifetime access to course material
- Numerous case studies covering a variety of leash reactivity cases, highlighting various approaches
- Guest segments with other industry experts
- CEUs: IAABC 26.25, CCPDT 26.25, KPA 26
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.
Options for every student
Whether you prefer to learn on your own, in a cohort, or privately, we have options for every learning style!
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.
Join the Next Cohort in September 2025
The cohort meets weekly for 10 weeks on Sundays at 10:30am PST/1:30pm EST. Each mentorship meeting expands on content from the course, in addition to reviewing cases and open Q&A.
The cohort version is for you if….
- You enjoy learning from others in a group
- You enjoy collaborating with others
- You enjoy educationally driven conversations
- You want access to the live mentorship meetings
- $699, payment plans available
With only 15 spots available, cohorts are sized just right for a dynamic, collaborative experience. Registration opens July 15th, 2025, click here to be added to the interest list and register before it’s open to the public.
Self Study
The self study version is for you if….
- You prefer to learn on your own
- You want to start right away
- You don’t have a need for the live mentorship meetings
- $499, payment plans available
Private
The private mentorship includes 10 mentorship meetings tailored to your unique needs. Enjoy flexible scheduling, and unlimited text/phone/email support in between sessions.
The 1:1 version is for you if….
- You become a fly on the wall in a group setting
- You want to start right away
- You value personalized and private mentorship sessions
- $1,449, payment plans available
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.
Now, 19 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 will fill in the gaps you haven’t learned elsewhere.
What Students Have to Say!
I just completed Jessica Wheatcraft’s leash reactivity course and private mentorship, and I can honestly say it was one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had as a dog trainer. As a CDBC and KPA-CTP with over a decade of self-taught experience, I’ve taken numerous courses, but none have provided the level of depth, clarity, and personalized feedback like this one. Jessica’s course is exceptionally well-structured—she breaks down complex concepts into manageable, easy-to-understand steps. This systematic approach made it simple to not only grasp new ideas but also implement them effectively with my own cases. What really sets this course apart, though, is the mentorship aspect. As someone who’s been largely self-educated, it was incredibly helpful to get direct, thoughtful feedback from a seasoned professional. Jessica was always available to guide me through real-time applications, offering practical suggestions that were tailored to the specific dogs I was working with. The ability to get feedback on my personal cases was invaluable and is something that’s often missing in other training programs. Jessica provides a service that is desperately needed in the dog training industry—an opportunity for professionals to receive expert guidance while still applying the techniques to their own work. I feel fortunate to have found Jessica’s course. It’s an outstanding resource for anyone serious about improving their skills, particularly in leash reactivity. I highly recommend it to any dog trainer looking to take their practice to the next level.
Dan Clark CDBC, KPA-CTP
Jessica Wheatcraft's leash reactivity course is a masterclass in wisdom, empathy, and real-world problem-solving. It’s hands-down one of the best investments I've made in my professional development! Jessica walks you through a wide range of scenarios - from straightforward to complex cases - guiding you from initial assessment to successful resolution. She has built her program on tried and true behavior modification techniques, making them more effective and efficient in our modern world. It just makes so much sense! I’m so impressed by Jessica’s ability to break down training approaches into clear, manageable steps that dog professionals can easily implement with their clients. She does this with sweetness and patience that I can only hope to bring to my own training. The course offers lifetime access to over 22 hours of content, featuring special guest experts and loads of resources to help you create your own successful program. I know I'll be returning to these resources time and again, each time discovering new insights. Whether you're a seasoned pro or looking to enhance your training skills, Jessica's course is an absolute game-changer.
Jennifer Thornburg CDBC, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course start?
The next cohort starts September 2025 and runs for 10 consecutive weeks. Meeting times are 10:30am PST/1:30pm EST each week and run for 75 minutes.
The Self Study and Private versions are available to start anytime.
Tell me more about how the mentorship works
For Cohort: You’ll go through the course, Reactivity Refined, on your own time (although I suggest sticking with the schedule of 1 module per week as there are 10 modules). They are recorded presentations, in addition to resources (written, videos, books, podcasts) that complement the topics. Plan for 90-120 minutes per week reviewing material.
Live mentorship mentorship meetings 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 Private: Same as the cohort, but with one on one mentorship meetings, and flexible scheduling. You have up to 6 months to complete the mentorship meetings.
Self Study: Review the course on your own. If you have questions or need support, you can contact me right through the course platform.
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 Cohort and Private options. For Self Study, you’ll need to complete the quizzes at the end of each module.*
What training methods do you use in the course?
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?
Cohort: 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.
Self Study: Lifetime access to course. No access to mentorship sessions or online community.
Private: Lifetime access to course and online community. Access to live mentorship meetings for 6 months.
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 Self Study version is available anytime.
You might also consider the Private version, which offers flexibility in scheduling.
I offer the Cohort mentorship 2-3x per year, so be on the lookout for the next round coming September 2025.
I still have some questions before I sign up…
I’m happy to chat with you and answer any questions you may have. Book a complimentary call with me here
Get the confidence to help reactive dogs reach their fullest potential today!
Get the confidence to help reactive dogs reach their fullest potential today!
Helping You Find Success With 1:1 Mentoring
Being a dog trainer means you are largely self-taught, piecemealing your education from a variety of sources. You are dedicated to serving your clients to the best of your abilities, but what happens when you have a case where you feel stuck? Maybe you feel like you haven’t been training long enough, or don’t have enough experience to help them.
You might be wondering:
Is this how everyone else is doing it?
Am I missing anything?
Could I do it better?
1:1 Mentoring is designed to help you conquer self-doubt and trust your skills as a dog trainer. With personalized guidance, we’ll help you tackle your most complex cases and support you towards a successful outcome.
We help trainers with:
Structuring Services
Client Communication
Increase client cooperation for successful outcomes
Behavior Consulting
Getting Unstuck
Get back on track with your toughest cases
Experienced
With over 19 years of professional training and behavior consulting, we’ve seen pretty much everything!
Judgment Free Zone
We know every trainer is on their own journey, and we are here to support you wherever you are at
Dedicated
We’re dedicated to empowering trainers to unlock their full potential with compassion and empathy leading the way
Individual Consultation:
$125
Ideal for a one off/single issue
A 60 minute, in depth consultation covering existing issues
Identifying the key areas needed for a successful outcome
Personalized support to ensure you feel confident moving forward
Monthly Coaching:
$695
Looking for expanded 1:1 mentoring to guide you through a series of lessons on a tricky case, or to increase your knowledge on a particular behavior challenge? Our monthly mentoring package offers comprehensive guidance and support.
4, 60 minute live mentorship sessions
Phone, email and text support
The opportunity to shadow live virtual lessons with our clients to see behavior consulting and training in action
Testimonials
You’ve got the skills—now let’s believe in them! Get started today by filling out the form below
Live Events
In person and online events for dog professionals
Course Circles Webinar for FDSA
Making the unpredictable, predictable for reactive dogs
One of the most challenging components about working with a reactive dog in the real world is that the environment itself isn’t always predictable. And what if your goal is to help a reactive dog acclimate to a new environment, and/or acclimate to other dogs being present? How can we change the environment, to then change their behavior?
Learn how to use course circles for dogs who struggle staying relaxed and responsive in the presence of triggers, or in unfamiliar environments. Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for a fresh approach to your leash reactivity cases and group classes, or a handler of a reactive dog looking for ways to help your dog feel more secure in the world, this webinar is for you.
Unpacking Reactivity
Two Reactivity Experts – One Awesome Live Series!
Join Jessica Wheatcraft and Laurie Lawless, as we deep dive and unpack the term “reactivity” in both pet dog and shelter cases.
Join us: Sundays from 9-10:30am PST on
5/25, 6/1, 6/8, 6/15
Reactivity encompasses a wide range of underlying motivations, let’s unpack it – together!
Approaching cases labeled as reactivity
Thinking critically about the underlying causes
Designing treatment plans best suited for an individual dog
Advancing and generalizing skills for the real world
This LIVE virtual series format is your opportunity to learn directly from Jessica and Laurie, while giving you the opportunity to present your own case study for questions and idea sharing.
This event is for dog trainers, behavior consultants, shelter staff, shelter volunteers, rescue organizations and dog behavior enthusiasts.