Pack Cohesion Therapy Program

Utilizing our incredible Pack Dynamic Training Method, we can help your dogs obtain peace and balance in their relationships!

Pack Cohesion Therapy Program - 2 Dogs

Specifically for homes with 2 or more dogs who have behavioral issues between them
Utilizing our incredible Pack Dynamic Training Method to create peace & social balance
Treating ALL levels of Behavioral Issue between dogs in the same home (incl. Aggression)
This one-of-a-kind Program cannot be found anywhere else in New England
Program includes a custom Board & Train stay followed by up to 3 In-Home Sessions

Our Pack Cohesion Therapy Program is specifically designed to treat cases where there are 2 or more dogs in the same household who are involved in Behavioral Issues and/or Aggression Incidents with each other. Depending on the severity of the issue, there are two Program Level options.

Utilizing our years of Canine Social Behavior Training experience as well as our proprietary Pack Dynamic Training Method, we have a proven track record of excelling at creating a cohesive bond between 2 or more dogs. This is right in our “wheel-house” and where we excel above all else.

In short, the Pack Cohesion Therapy Program involves either one or both of your dogs enrolling into our In-Patient Behavioral Rehab & Training Program and while receiving all of the incredible benefits of that Program, we will utilize our scientifically sound Pack Dynamic Training Method to create a team-mate like relationship between the two dogs that were previously fighting with each other in the home!

Finally…peace, harmony and Behavioral Balance!

Research Report from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Results pertaining to Conspecific Aggression between two or more dogs living in the same household

Research has shown that nearly one-third of the typical North American dog loving homes contain two or more dogs. In a multi-dog-household, arguably the MOST disturbing scenario occurs when there is an aggressive incident between the dogs living together in the same house. We call this, Intra-Household Conspecific Aggression. Whatever you call it…it’s no laughing matter!

These unfortunate incidents are not only disturbing for the peace and harmony of the humans living in the home…but they can be seriously dangerous for the dogs and the owners who try to intervene and break up the fight. A scientific report published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association was commissioned to specifically assess the characteristics of the dogs involved in these aggression cases.

Researchers Kathryn Wrubel, Nicholas Dodman and others recruited thirty-eight pairs of dogs that came to the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton, MA, specifically because there were aggressive incidents between the housemate dogs. The research team then conducted in-depth interviews and questionnaires to determine the characteristics of the dogs involved in these incidents.

Here are some statistics that many dog owners might find surprising, but those of us who have been working with these types of Aggression cases know these facts all too well.

Click heading for more details on the study’s findings.

Is Gender a determining factor in Intra-Household Dog Aggression?

Female dogs are more often involved in these aggressive fights than male dogs
Only 32% of these incidents involve males while the remaining 62% show females as the aggressor
When females get into these fights, injuries tend to be more severe and fights tend to last longer

While Gender is clearly a determining factor in the likelihood of aggressive incidents in the home, it’s also highly predictive of the likelihood of success with Behavioral Training. Here are some statistics:

In Male-Male aggression cases, conflict was reduced in 72% of the cases
In Male-Female pairs, conflict reduction occurred in 75% of the cases
In Female-Female pairs, while conflict reduction was only 57%…this is still worth making the effort

Factual Statistics and Characteristics of the dogs involved in these aggression cases

70% of the time, the instigator of the aggression is the dog most recently brought into the home
In 74% of these cases, it ends up being the younger dog that actually starts the fight
In 39% of the cases, owners claim surprise stating “they usually get along most of the time!”
Some conflicts can be quite serious with 50% resulting in one or both dogs requiring Vet care
Overall, 10% of the time the owner is actually injured to the point of requiring medical attention
Regardless of past training, dogs were successfully separated using Commands only 8% of the time

So what tends to trigger a fight among housemate dogs?

In 46% of the incidents, it’s the actions of the owner, like paying attention to one dog over the other
31% of the incidents were triggered by simple over-excitement such as an owners arrival at home
Resource Guarding was involved in 46% when involving food/treats and 26% when involving toys

Risk Factors to Aggression incidents identified between two dogs in the same home

41% of involved households had at least 1 dog who had lived in multiple households prior to this
When one of the dog in the pair was adopted at 12 weeks or older – fights occurred 39% of the time
Dogs adopted from Shelters were involved in 33% of the incidents and 16% for dogs from Pet Store

Dogs involved in these aggressive incidents have a tendency to exhibit aggression elsewhere

40% of these dogs will or have shown aggression towards other dogs
27% will or have shown aggression toward humans living in the household
27% will or have shown aggression towards human strangers
20% will or have shown aggression towards their owner(s)

Dogs involved in these cases tend to have higher rates of other abhorrent behavioral issues

50% of the pairs of dogs involved has at least one member with noticeable Separation Anxiety
30% suffered from and/or exhibited Phobia’s, Fearfulness and other forms of Anxiety

Which Program Level is right for your specific case?

Pack Cohesion Program - Level 1

Pack Cohesion Therapy – Level 1 Program is custom designed to treat cases where 1 dog is clearly the Primary Aggressor (Dog #1) requiring more intensive Behavioral Training than the 2nd dog (Dog #2) in the at-home relationship.

Enrolling in Program Level 1 would indicate that Dog #2 has no need for any Behavioral Training and is never the Aggressor when fights occur between the two dogs.

Dog #1 spends 45-days in our intensive In-Patient Training Program
Dog #2 joins Dog #1 at the 4-week mark to begin Pack Cohesion Training
Total Board & Train duration is 45-days: Dog #1/45 days, Dog #2/14 days
The final 14 days will have both dogs being trained/worked as "teammates"
Upon completion both dogs are brought home for the Re-Home Session
Re-Home Session lasts up to 3-hours and all family member should attend
Included are up to 2 Follow-Up Sessions generally lasting up to 2 hours ea.
Also included is Unlimited Support for the life of your dogs!

Pack Cohesion Program - Level 2

Pack Cohesion Therapy – Level 2 Program is custom designed to treat cases where either and/or both dogs (Dog #1 and/or Dog #2) can be the Primary Aggressor and both dogs require or could greatly benefit from intensive Behavioral Training, as well the need to improve their relationship.

Enrolling in Program Level 2 would indicate that both dogs need to spend time learning to obtain and maintain Behavioral Balance in their daily lives as well as the need to improve the relationship within the household dynamic.

Dog #1 spends 45-days in our intensive In-Patient Training Program
Upon completion, Dog #1 is brought home for the 1st Re-Home Session
At the end of 1st Re-Home Session, we leave with Dog #2 to begin Training
Dog #2 then begins 45 days of Board & Train ahead of the return of Dog #1
At the end of Dog #2's Training, owner drops Dog #1 off at our location
Both dogs will then spend 14 days here worked together as "team-mates"
Total Board & Train duration that both dogs will be here is up to 104 days
Dog #1 for 45 days, Dog #2 for 45 days then both together for 14 days
Includes up to 2 Follow-Up Sessions as well as Unlimited Support for life!

Pack Cohesion Therapy Success Stories - Client Testimonials

Greetings fellow dog owners, Brian was our savior! We introduced a rescue German Shepherd (GSD-F) with lots of issues to our home where we already had an existing (GSD-F) and an Aussie (M). From the first day, chaos broke out with multiple fights. After 2 trips to the vets for stitches and my trip to the hospital (incidental bite breaking dogs up), we contacted Brian. He came up to the house and within just a few minutes, he had all the dogs under control. He suggested that the girls be enrolled with his pack for a 6-week’ Boot Camp’ to rehab them and have them work together with his balanced Pack. The results were great! We now have 2 happy and very well behaved girls. We have to keep up on the training which Brian showed us, which is not always easy, but with work, the house is under control. I would recommend Brian to everyone!

My husband and I have two pit mixes, both rescues. Our dogs had gotten into two fights resulting in injuries. Before re-homing our newly adopted male Maverick, we reached out to Brian. Both dogs completed his inpatient program successfully leaving them both balanced and better versions of themselves. Today is day 1 of them being home. We have a lot of work ahead of us to maintain their relationship, but Brian gave us all the tools, advice and instructions we need. I’m so thankful for him and his team. My husband and I are calm and confident when dealing with both dogs. I know that their relationship will be nothing but positive going forward. We also now have someone whom we trust to board our dogs with when we travel. Thank you Canine Behavioral Services!!!!!!

Brian, This picture captures our gratitude for all that you have done for our family. And I am glad it does because there are no words to express our emotions. You have given us our family. Scout, our 7-year-old male, was dangerously dog aggressive when we brought our puppy Tesla home. Scout spent 6 weeks with you and your Pack, then another week when Tesla joined all of you. When they returned home they are now totally bonded. There is nothing but peace and love between them now. Paul and I will be forever thankful for all that you have done for our family. There is no possible way this could have happened without your expertise. Our dogs are the center of our lives and we all thank you.

We brought our two Border Collie littermate’s, Finn and Brandon, to Brian and his team after noticing an increase in aggression and lack of impulse control. In order to give both dogs the best chance of success, we opted to send them for the Inpatient Behavioral Rehab Program. Each dog went separately for 6-weeks at a time and then both dogs spent 2 weeks together in the training program as well. Brian and his team were incredibly thorough throughout the process and provided regular updates on the progress of both dogs. Upon their return to our home, the change in both dogs was immediately noticeable. They could now be in the same room and they wouldn’t fight. I HIGHLY recommend Canine Behavioral Services if you’re looking for a positive change in your dog(s). You won’t be disappointed. Brian will go above and beyond to ensure your dog(s) are afforded the opportunity to live the highest quality of life possible. THANK YOU, Brian, for providing my dogs with the foundation to coexist in the same home!

Pack Cohesion Therapy - Facebook Page Reviews

I have been using CBS for over 5 years! I originally sent one of my dogs for in-patient therapy after she began to show increasing aggression to my oldest female after I added a third dog to my pack. She came back a changed dog. Both she and I learned so much! Since then, I have sent ALL of my dogs for some type of training. One for Canine Manners Camp and most recently I sent my newest addition to the Puppy Workshop. I also frequently (5-7 times per year) send my dogs back to CBS when I travel. I trust Brian and his staff completely and know that when my dogs are there, they are not only getting well taken care of they are getting the structure they need. And best of all, they offer transport services back and forth each time. I can't possibly recommend CBS enough for all of your dog needs!

Our American Bulldog Frankie started in the In-patient program at CBS when he was about 8 months old, he was showing signs of aggression towards visitors, as well as our older dog Lexi. Frankie spent several weeks with Brian and his team and he came back to us much improved. With their guidance, we continued to work with him once he returned home. We have sent Frankie back at least once a month for socialization. He always returns to us a more balanced dog every time! Frankie is almost 4 years old now and still loves his visits to CBS. He can’t contain himself as soon as we approach the driveway.

This review is long overdue. We cannot say enough wonderful things about Brian and his pack. Molly Jane attended the in-patient rehabilitation program in June – July 2017. Prior to sending her to Canine Behavioral Services, she had escalating anxiety and dog aggression. We knew that we were reinforcing her behavior towards other dogs as well as her anxiety but were unsure how to break the cycle. Brian and his pack were a life saver. Molly J returned home a more balanced, calm, happy dog and we had a long list of our own behaviors to change. I still smile every time we go on a walk and her tail is up and wagging in excitement again! The other day another dog came bolting up to her off leash and she merely tucked her tail and walked away. I never thought I’d see the day! She even tried to play with a puppy on a hike! Each time we pull onto the street to go for a sleepover, Molly starts whining and crying in excitement. If that is not a testament to what an incredible place Brian runs, I do not know what is. Our friends and family constantly ask what kind of “voodoo” magic Brian and his team practice because of all the pleasant changes they’ve seen in Molly J. She is certainly a new, more balanced, happier dog. Brian saved our relationship with our dog.