Reactive Rover - Aggressive Dog Training in Raleigh

If your dog is not aggressive and you just want to teach it all the basic commands such as: watch me, sit, wait, stay, down, stay, come when called, and leave it. Check out all our Dog Training Classes in the Raleigh area.

If walking your dog has become stressful due to constant reactivity—dodging other dogs, avoiding fenced yards, or dreading encounters with overly friendly pets—you’re not alone. Many owners struggle with these challenges, but there is a solution. Our program is specifically designed to help you modify and improve your dog’s behavior, making walks more enjoyable for both of you. Through structured practice in a well-managed, low-stress environment, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to handle these situations effectively. The program is designed to teach you how to modify and improve this behavior so that walking is not so stressful for EITHER of you. Our class will give you lots of opportunity to practice with your dog and see improvement – in a low-stress, VERY well managed semi- controlled environment.

Class Schedule: Saturday, April 5 (11 am- 12 pm)

First class is orientation (without the dogs) held without the dogs at Hollywood Feed Pet Store (community room) 

Training Classes are held at a private outdoor location.

Cost: $385 for the entire 7-week curriculum

Reactive Rover is specifically designed to help handlers manage and retrain appropriate behavior in dogs that exhibit aggression or reactivity toward other dogs and people.  Using reward-based training, behavior markers, relaxation techniques, and an understanding of dog body language, this class provides hands-on coaching to address leash reactivity. Many dogs that behave aggressively on a leash may interact well off-leash, but once restrained, their frustration or fear escalates. This program teaches specific cues to help dogs, and their owners navigate challenging situations while working toward the ultimate goal—changing the dog’s emotional response to triggers rather than simply managing their behavior.

This class uses counterconditioning and structured real-life scenarios to help dogs develop positive associations with other dogs while learning to focus on their handler instead of reacting aggressively. Owners will gain skills in reading their dog’s signals and supporting them in making better choices in stressful situations. The training relies on reward-based, desensitization, and motivational methods, ensuring a safe and structured learning environment. With small class sizes and careful space management, the goal is to replace aggressive reactions with calm, confident behavior, making daily interactions more manageable for both dogs and owners.

Emphasizing behavior modification and handling skills, the course helps dogs overcome their underlying fears, emotions, and decision-making challenges. Each dog receives individualized training while others relax out of sight, creating a controlled and supportive atmosphere. Owners will learn how to interpret their dog’s behavior and guide them through difficult encounters, ultimately building confidence for both. By using only positive reinforcement techniques, the class fosters a safe and encouraging environment that supports long-term behavioral change.

Critical skills, Handling Techniques & Complex Dog Body Language Training

Our Reactive Rover Class is conducted outdoors with plenty of room to move around. Dogs are trained in groups of one or two at a time, so they are never overwhelmed. With small group sizes and careful space management, reactive dog classes ensure dogs remain focused and relaxed, preventing setbacks in their training. The ultimate goal is to replace aggressive reactions with calmer, more appropriate behaviors, allowing your dog to feel more comfortable in the world while giving you the skills to handle situations with confidence.

Dogs are evaluated individually and introduced to safe dogs and classmates at a pace suited to their needs. The program prioritizes gradual exposure and personalized progress, allowing each dog to build confidence and improve behavior in a safe, structured setting.

Each dog-handler pair progresses at their own pace, focusing on the dog’s comfort. Dogs learn leash manners and staying calm around other dogs, while handlers learn to read their dog’s mood, manage issues, and support their reactive dog’s success.

The exercises address dogs’ fears, emotions, and decision-making. Each dog receives individual attention while others relax nearby. Dogs are evaluated individually and gradually exposed to safe student dogs at their own pace.