After the program
Maintenance after Behaviour Rehab: the household rules
Five to six weeks of individualized work changed how your dog copes, and the in-depth owner education changed how you read it. Neither one runs on autopilot. The rules below are the household side of the work: the management that stays, the signals you watch, and the moments when calling in help or a vet is the sensible next step rather than a setback.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026
The standing rules
Management that stays in place once your dog is home.
Management is not a sign the rehab failed. It is part of how the work holds. Keep the distance from triggers that your dog handled well during the program, keep meals, walks and rest at predictable times, and keep the gates, leashes or barriers you were shown. Never flood your dog by pushing it into a crowd, a greeting or a close pass to prove it is fixed. Progress happens at your dog's pace, not the calendar's.
Watch for the early signals your owner education covered: a hard stare, a stiffening body, a closed mouth, a head turned away. They tell you your dog is nearing its threshold, so add distance or leave. Never punish a growl. It is information, and suppressing it only removes the warning. If behaviour changes suddenly, or your dog seems sore or unwell, book a vet visit before assuming it is a training problem.
- Distance from known triggers
- Predictable daily routine
- No flooding, no proving points
- Vet first for sudden change
The big tests
Guests, new partners and a baby on the way.
Visitors are often the hardest test because they arrive at the door, the most charged spot in the house. Secure your dog before the knock: behind a gate, on a leash held by an adult, or in a quiet room with something to chew. Ask guests not to approach, reach for or stare at your dog. Let it choose whether to watch from a distance, and keep visits short while you learn how it copes.
A new partner moving in, or a baby arriving, changes routine, smell and attention all at once. Plan the management before the change: separate rest spaces, gates, and a schedule your dog can predict. Babies and children never take part in training, and supervision means an adult actively watching or a barrier in place. Behaviour Rehab includes two free follow-up sessions, and these moments are a good use of one. If new warning signs appear, book a professional assessment.
The programs
Programs and prices
Asked and answered
The questions people ask us.
How do I maintain my dog's progress after reactivity training?
Keep the distance, routine and management that worked during the program, and stay below your dog's threshold. Progress tends to hold best when the household rules stay consistent.
Can my reactive dog meet guests now?
Not by pushing a greeting. Secure your dog first, ask guests to ignore it, and let your dog choose to watch from a distance.
What should I do if my dog growls after rehab?
Do not punish the growl, since it is your dog's warning. Calmly create distance, note what happened, and contact us or another professional if growling is new or increasing.
How do I prepare a dog from Behaviour Rehab for a new baby?
Set up gates, separate rest areas and a predictable routine before the baby arrives. Use a follow-up session to plan the details, and never involve the baby in training.
Keep reading
Talk through your household plan
Considering Behaviour Rehab, or facing a big household change after it? Book a consultation and we will look at your dog first.
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