You've taken the first step to changing your and your dog's life forever.
We make it happen, with you as our partner.
The gift of your dog as a peaceful, lovable companion is so close.
Book your consult or discover our program options & pricing now.
We make it happen, with you as our partner.
The gift of your dog as a peaceful, lovable companion is so close.
Book your consult or discover our program options & pricing now.
Does Your Dog Need Therapy to Fix Their Behaviour?
We sadly often meet people after they have spent 1000s of dollars to have their best friend's behaviour 'fixed' by someone calling themselves a behaviourist, only to have it not work over the long-term. Our success rate is unheard of in the field of fear-free, force-free and positive reinforcement. We've maintained our extreme success rates for years, and with that much confidence, we offer lifetime support for graduates of our immersive program to eliminate unwanted behaviour. Programs are generally twelve weeks in length to teach you how to enable the best behaviour and cooperation for the life of your dog. When you consider that today's dogs are living up to 20 years, our program is time well invested.
Our Difference Is Our Reputation
Behaviour modification is generally run by well-meaning dog behaviour specialists and dog trainers who are lightly versed in dog behaviour; however, the term 'behaviour modification' is vague and the field of professional dog trainers and behaviourists is an unregulated one. Care must be taken to find out if the 'expert' you are speaking to has a good reputation of success in gentle, compassionate methods, credentials from organizations with a standard for conduct, continuing education requirements and professional qualifications or extensive experience.
Our cases find us. Our network of word-of-mouth referrals include Vets from around the world, and proven, highly-regarded Professional Dog Trainers and Professional Dog Behaviourist. We are distinct in the field from other dog professional services, and most recognize us as a non-competitor as we distinguish ourselves by working only on the most difficult cases. The dogs experiencing disharmony with their world, and who are dealing with panic attacks, PTSD, aggressive behaviour, hypervigilance and those with complex layers of multiple behavioural issues, psychological disorders and even a history of dangerous aggression events is where our casework lies.
Our cases find us. Our network of word-of-mouth referrals include Vets from around the world, and proven, highly-regarded Professional Dog Trainers and Professional Dog Behaviourist. We are distinct in the field from other dog professional services, and most recognize us as a non-competitor as we distinguish ourselves by working only on the most difficult cases. The dogs experiencing disharmony with their world, and who are dealing with panic attacks, PTSD, aggressive behaviour, hypervigilance and those with complex layers of multiple behavioural issues, psychological disorders and even a history of dangerous aggression events is where our casework lies.
Our Difference Is Our Process
We offer specialized programs teaching advanced concepts in human-dog relationships and sustainable behaviour changes. In our program, we take you to go beyond a training plan and easy-to-learn techniques. We take into account everything from your personality type, your belief systems, life experiences, family dynamics, health issues, and even your physical attributes (height, weight, age) when designing our programs for you. As part of a training program for dogs, you and your dog progress together towards building a better relationship. Our behaviour treatment plan is a full 360-degree program focusing on both of you, and, how well you function as partners and to deliver you from the unwanted behaviour. You learn to guide, coach and teach your dog new ways to behave. Your dog learns you are the person to turn to when they are overcome by emotions, like fear, anxiety or frustration and demonstrating bad behaviour. With time, you'll be able to handle any situation calmly and effectively. Your dog will respond positively to everything you say and do. Long term, the investment in a dog behaviour treatment plan will lead to a lifetime of peace, love and cooperation.
Our Difference Is Our Methods
First, we analyze the dog's psychology and you from an evolutionary perspective of dog care. The data helps us to understand why your dog is behaving the way he does and it informs the strategy and treatment plan we design specifically for your case. We ensure the dog's behaviour issues are understood and the root causes are investigated. In addition, we interview you & your family and observe your dog.
Second, we provide you with a holistic overview of what is happening with your dog through evidence-based facts, and potential interconnections between what we know and the problem behaviour you are experiencing. This helps you make sense of what you have been living through. We review our analysis of your dog's entire ecosystem as we know it, including his psychological, emotional, social, cognitive states; targeting where changes need to be made to reach our shared goals. Our treatment plan is developed with shared and agreed upon lifetime goals
Third, our team and you get to work in partnership, one-on-one in private classes, to help guide the dog to shift his mindset and way of behaving. You learn what you need to do to land your communication effectively. We don't stop at simply demonstrating a skill for you to teach your dog. Our in-person meetings include both short-term skills and long-term relationship building outcomes. In many cases, we help you develop body memory through posture, orientation, vocalization, human signalling, and breathwork if needed. For other cases, we also include safety signals, mindfulness of the dog's emotional condition and response work. In other words, it is an intensive learning experience for both you and your dog.
Fourth, we measure. Every week we are building momentum and determining if the progress is there to move ahead. We regularly assess measurable outcomes and our potential trajectory to a successful conclusion. If at anytime our measurements don't meet the program's expectations, we adapt our approach.
Fifth, once our program successfully concludes, we celebrate our accomplishments and you and your dog graduate from our program. You receive a 'Beyond the Program' report designed to identify key areas to sustain for life, and our promise to support you like your life with your dog evolves. We understand and plan for the fact we've met you at one point in your life, and our program manages the changes bound to occur over the lifetime with your dog.
Sixth is attending our Master-class Refreshers. These online webinars are a new feature of our program and distinguish us as a leading-edge provider for dog-lovers with a life-long devotion to maintaining a lifetime cooperative partnership.
Second, we provide you with a holistic overview of what is happening with your dog through evidence-based facts, and potential interconnections between what we know and the problem behaviour you are experiencing. This helps you make sense of what you have been living through. We review our analysis of your dog's entire ecosystem as we know it, including his psychological, emotional, social, cognitive states; targeting where changes need to be made to reach our shared goals. Our treatment plan is developed with shared and agreed upon lifetime goals
Third, our team and you get to work in partnership, one-on-one in private classes, to help guide the dog to shift his mindset and way of behaving. You learn what you need to do to land your communication effectively. We don't stop at simply demonstrating a skill for you to teach your dog. Our in-person meetings include both short-term skills and long-term relationship building outcomes. In many cases, we help you develop body memory through posture, orientation, vocalization, human signalling, and breathwork if needed. For other cases, we also include safety signals, mindfulness of the dog's emotional condition and response work. In other words, it is an intensive learning experience for both you and your dog.
Fourth, we measure. Every week we are building momentum and determining if the progress is there to move ahead. We regularly assess measurable outcomes and our potential trajectory to a successful conclusion. If at anytime our measurements don't meet the program's expectations, we adapt our approach.
Fifth, once our program successfully concludes, we celebrate our accomplishments and you and your dog graduate from our program. You receive a 'Beyond the Program' report designed to identify key areas to sustain for life, and our promise to support you like your life with your dog evolves. We understand and plan for the fact we've met you at one point in your life, and our program manages the changes bound to occur over the lifetime with your dog.
Sixth is attending our Master-class Refreshers. These online webinars are a new feature of our program and distinguish us as a leading-edge provider for dog-lovers with a life-long devotion to maintaining a lifetime cooperative partnership.
Our Difference is Our Values
Our proven program for behaviour issues is highly successful in changing often dangerous cases of behaviour, and behaviour problems. We do it gently and compassionately using no intimidation, no fear, no force, no harsh training equipment and only positive reinforcement. Nothing we do undermines the relationship we develop between you and your dog. We believe in a relationship of partnership and trust between you and your dog. The program is steep in current science breakthroughs, highly adaptive and effective. Once we are engaged, we develop agreed-to shared goals. Then we begin investing the time, energy and passion into teaching you to compassionately guide your dog to a new way to think, feel and behave.
Our success comes with knowledge of what it takes to fundamentally shift beliefs in you and your dog. We take time to illustrate how to step into the roles your dog needs you to fulfil and to coach you on how to practically complete daily exercises. We challenge you to unlearn old harsher methods and give you a new lens through to view life from your dog's point of view. We deliver rich relationship building and communication techniques that last for life.
Our success comes with knowledge of what it takes to fundamentally shift beliefs in you and your dog. We take time to illustrate how to step into the roles your dog needs you to fulfil and to coach you on how to practically complete daily exercises. We challenge you to unlearn old harsher methods and give you a new lens through to view life from your dog's point of view. We deliver rich relationship building and communication techniques that last for life.
Our Difference Is Who We Accept to Be In Our Program
We know that some seeking the outcomes offered in our program will not be successful, which is why we screen potential clients to ensure they understand what the program entails; time, compassion, patience and energy. We adapt the program to fit your world, but it can never be without your sacrifice of time and energy to help both of you to see the world differently and respond to it accordingly.
The immersive nature of the program during the weeks we are working side-by-side with you requires you to be able to complete homework. The homework builds your awareness, knowledge and capabilities as a caregiver to your dog. Clients are asked to provide evidence of their work including videos, daily journals, weekly updates, and in-person demonstrations of exercise prowess. It requires one hour a day, split up across the day without compromise. The homework is in addition to a dog's adequate daily exercise requirements.
The program works with the most serious cases of aggression, and dangerous behaviour, successfully rehabilitating the toughest, often written-off pets. We show you how to shift behaviours completely force-free, fear-free and using positive reinforcement because it is the most effective way to help dogs find new ways to behave. In fact, Dog Behaviour experts agree that human caregivers of dogs, who mimic what they see on television are one of the contributing factors for the 4.7 million dog bites that occur each year. It is estimated that about 20% of the canine populations have a mental health disorder such as fear and anxiety, ADHD-type behaviours, even PTSD, which is not dissimilar to the figures quoted in our own human population. After 8 weeks of our behaviour program, 98% of human caregivers report significant improvement in their dogs' behaviour.
The immersive nature of the program during the weeks we are working side-by-side with you requires you to be able to complete homework. The homework builds your awareness, knowledge and capabilities as a caregiver to your dog. Clients are asked to provide evidence of their work including videos, daily journals, weekly updates, and in-person demonstrations of exercise prowess. It requires one hour a day, split up across the day without compromise. The homework is in addition to a dog's adequate daily exercise requirements.
The program works with the most serious cases of aggression, and dangerous behaviour, successfully rehabilitating the toughest, often written-off pets. We show you how to shift behaviours completely force-free, fear-free and using positive reinforcement because it is the most effective way to help dogs find new ways to behave. In fact, Dog Behaviour experts agree that human caregivers of dogs, who mimic what they see on television are one of the contributing factors for the 4.7 million dog bites that occur each year. It is estimated that about 20% of the canine populations have a mental health disorder such as fear and anxiety, ADHD-type behaviours, even PTSD, which is not dissimilar to the figures quoted in our own human population. After 8 weeks of our behaviour program, 98% of human caregivers report significant improvement in their dogs' behaviour.
The Founder
Sparky Smith, the founder of PivotalChange.ca, and Head of Canine Psychology & Behaviour. Sparky developed this program using 30 years of experience working with people and their dogs. She is a Canine Psychologist, reg. with the CMA, and educated as a professionally accredited Canine Behaviourist specializing in force-free, positive reinforcement, applied to psychology and emotions of canines. Also, she is uniquely qualified in changing complex animal behaviour problems, accredited MSST (Master Strategic and Systems Thinking) by the University of San Diego. Sparky leads the Canadian Centre of The International School for Canine Psychology & Behaviour (theISCP.com) and is accredited by the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants) Accredited Dog Behaviour Consultant. Read more about Our Team
To book your meeting with Sparky, click on the button below. You will be redirected to our scheduling page, where you will choose your preferred meeting time, complete an assessment and pay for your appointment ($125 CDN). The cost of the meeting is deducted from the program costs on registration