Built for Trainers Who Want to Do This Work Properly
Reactivity and fear-driven aggression are among the most common issues dog owners bring to trainers — and among the most commonly mishandled. Not because trainers lack dedication, but because these cases demand a specific, nuanced understanding that general training education rarely provides in depth.
This mentorship programme is for trainers who are already working with dogs but want to develop genuine competency in these areas. Over six months, you will take on real cases, apply structured methods, and report back for ongoing supervision and support. This is not a passive learning course — it is a working mentorship built around your cases.
Programme Details
What the Programme Covers
The Science Behind Reactivity
A thorough grounding in what is actually happening in a reactive dog — physiologically, emotionally, and behaviourally — and why so many standard interventions fail or backfire.
Fear vs Aggression vs Reactivity
The critical ability to distinguish between these — and understand the overlap — so that every case is assessed correctly before any training plan is built.
Case Assessment and Planning
How to conduct a proper intake assessment for difficult cases, identify the root driver of the behaviour, and design a structured plan that matches the dog's actual needs.
Practical Techniques in Context
Desensitisation and counter-conditioning applied correctly — including threshold work, stimulus management, and how to progress a case without triggering setbacks.
Working Safely with Aggression
Safe handling practices, risk assessment, and knowing when a case exceeds your scope. This is non-negotiable content — working with aggressive dogs without this framework is dangerous.
Client Communication
How to guide owners through difficult cases — setting realistic expectations, delivering hard truths, and maintaining their engagement and confidence over a long behaviour modification process.
How the Mentorship Works
Foundation — Months One and Two
Deep-dive into the theory of reactivity and fear-driven behaviour. You will work through Darren's framework, review case studies, and begin identifying suitable cases in your own client base to bring into the programme.
Live Case Work — Months Three and Four
You take on real reactivity and fear cases with your own clients. Each case is discussed with Darren before you begin and reviewed regularly throughout. You are not working alone — ongoing support is built into this phase.
Review and Refinement — Months Five and Six
Case outcomes are reviewed, progress is assessed, and gaps in understanding are addressed directly. By the end of this phase, you will have handled real aggression cases under supervision and have a clear, replicable method to take into future work.
Who This Programme Is For
- Trainers who are already working with clients but feel underprepared when reactive or fear-driven dogs come through the door.
- Trainers who have taken general courses or certifications but want deeper, case-based experience in behaviour modification specifically.
- Trainers who have encountered dog aggression in their work and want a structured, supervised framework for handling it safely and effectively.
- Trainers who want honest mentorship — not just theory, but someone to talk through real cases with and give direct feedback on their approach.
Prerequisites
This programme requires that you are already working as a trainer with active clients. You will need to have access to suitable reactivity and fear cases during the programme — without live case work, the mentorship cannot deliver what it is designed to. If you are new to training and looking for foundational education, this is not the right starting point. Contact Darren to discuss your situation before registering interest.
Programme Investment
The full six-month mentorship is $1,500. This covers all programme content, case supervision throughout the live case work phase, and ongoing support between sessions. Payment arrangements will be discussed with accepted participants prior to commencement.
Places will be strictly limited. This is a working mentorship, not a large-group course, and the level of individual supervision it involves means numbers must be kept small. Registering your interest early is the best way to be considered when enrolments open.
Register Your Interest
This programme is coming soon. Register your interest now and Darren will be in touch with details as the programme launch date approaches. Places will be limited, so early expressions of interest are encouraged.
When registering, please note "Train the Trainer" in the message field and include a brief description of your current training work. Darren will follow up to discuss suitability and programme timing.
