Common Questions & Answers

Courtney has been working with dogs and their people in a behavior capacity since 2013. At the Louisiana SPCA she led group classes and mentored volunteers, in private rescue she supported behavioral fosters, and at The Oregon Humane Society she specialized with reactive dogs and separation distress cases. Certified through the CCPDT, Courtney continuously seeks rigorous education and knowledge, including master classes in dog aggression, ABA therapy, and anxiety-based behaviors. She is a member of the Shock Free Coalition of Pet Professionals Guild. Solving complex problems and meeting the needs of adolescent dogs are her favorite subjects. 

We will discover through observation and trial what is motivating for your dog. Food? Excellent. Play or access to things? Amazing. We will then use those reinforcements to reward behaviors we like in order to get those behaviors more often (this is what positive reinforcement means in a nutshell). Our coaching repertoire may include lure/reward, shaping and capturing behaviors, Sometimes we may have to show your dog that an object or situation is safe by pairing it with the best reinforcers (the dog's top favorite things) and also find a way to arrange the environment to help relieve stress. 

We will never use compulsive methods that cause or threaten pain to punish unwanted behaviors. Our goal is to build a foundation of trust and understanding between dogs and humans, creating harmony and well-being in the home. When errors in training occur, we look to see how we can formulate a better plan and fulfill the dog's needs. Behavior is information the dog is conveying to us. We will teach you how to listen and effectively communicate. 

Guarantees in any type of therapy or training are a red flag. We will employ all of our resources to help you achieve your goals, but behavior change and building habits takes time and commitment from our team and yours. 

More than anything, we want you to succeed and feel supported. Between sessions you will have access to your coach via text and email, and most of the time you will receive a reply within 24 hours.

Every case is so different it is difficult to name one, but whenever separation distress is combined with reactive behavior, it can be emotionally and physically challenging for everyone involved, dog included. However, we work with a community of dog behavior experts that can help provide insight and further guidance. We encourage your veterinarian to also be involved in the training process. 

We understand the struggle that pet expense can be and try to keep our costs as affordable as possible while still being able to offer personalized service to our clients. Allowing time between sessions for you to contact HRCC as needs arise is extremely important to us. Please contact us if you have questions about payment plans or special circumstances and we will do our best to accommodate!