Building Relationships with Behaviorally Challenged Dogs 1: A Guide for Dog Sitters and Walkers

Not all dogs are the same. The friendly, cuddly ones make us wonder how anyone could have a better job than we do. But what about the shy, fearful ones or the ones who clearly don’t want to be approached? If you look at those dogs and think, ‘I want to take care of them too,’ this course is for you. Scroll to the bottom of this page and click Enroll.

LEARN HOW TO:

Gather key information and develop a plan to get to know a dog who has behavior challenges.

LEARN HOW TO:

Improve your ability to identify and address signs of fear, anxiety and stress in dogs.

LEARN HOW TO:

Implement the Getting to Know You process and discover the sweet dogs behind the challenges.

About the course

This eight-unit course will take you about 13 hours to complete. All eight units have a recorded session to view and range from 10 - 30 minutes each. Students complete the recorded sessions on their own schedule. Four of the units also have live sessions that take place via Zoom, are 1.5 hours long and are held from 7:00 - 8:30 pm Eastern time. Live session dates will be scheduled based on a minimum number of participants enrolled in the course and their progress in the course. Live sessions will be recorded for participants who are unable to make a specific live session. Students can anticipate completing the course in about six weeks. The live sessions are a critical opportunity to get more in-depth on some topics, learn with your peers and interact with your instructor. This is not a "just listen and learn" course. It is designed to help you apply what you are learning via the live sessions, knowledge checks, and unit assignments.  The course is approved for 13 Continuing Education Units by the Professional Animal Care Certification Council.

Susan Aceti

I am the owner of Challenging Dogs Pet Care. My own challenging dog, Molly, was in my life for 15 years. She was my most profound teacher in how to care for a dog with behavior challenges. Since then I have had more formal training and extensive practice in the field. For four years, I cared for challenging dogs through Rover and then started my own business in 2021. I have an instructional design background that influenced this course design and my approach to teaching. That approach recognizes the experience and skill we all bring and how we can learn in a collaborative, respectful way.

Curriculum

12 Chapters · 35 Lessons

  1. 1

    Course Overview

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Syllabus Winter 2026

  2. 2

    Unit 1: Services for Dogs with Behavior Challenges

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Services for Dogs with Behavior Challenges

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Assessment of Sitter's Reactive Dog Experience

  3. 3

    Unit 1.1 Live Session on Services for Dogs with Behavior Challenges

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Confirmation: Ready to Participate in Upcoming Live Session for Unit 1

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Unit 1 Live Session via Zoom

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Unit 1 Knowledge Check

  4. 4

    Unit 2. Conducting New Client Interviews

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Conducting New Client Interviews

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Resource: Dog Profiles for Interview Practice

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Resource: Breakout Room Instructions

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Resource: Interview Questions

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Resource: Interview Practice Instructions and Rating Sheet

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Unit 2 Knowledge Check

  5. 5

    Unit 2.1 Live Session on Conducting New Client Interviews

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Confirmation: Ready to Participate in Upcoming Live Session for Unit 2

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Unit 2 Live Session via Zoom

  6. 6

    Unit 3. Developing GTKY Plans

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Developing GTKY Plans

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Write a First Visit GTKY Plan

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Resources for Assignment

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Unit 3 Knowledge Check

  7. 7

    Unit 4: Conducting GTKY Visits

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Conducting GTKY Visits

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Dog Body Language Training

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Fear Free FAS Ladder

  8. 8

    Unit 4.1: Live Session for Conducting GTKY Visits

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Confirmation: Ready to Participate in Upcoming Live Session for Unit 4

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Unit 4 Live Session via Zoom

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Unit 4 Knowledge Check

  9. 9

    Unit 5: Working with Clients and Other Staff

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Working with Clients and Other Staff

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Unit 5 Knowledge Check

  10. 10

    Unit 6: Using Outdoor and Indoor Environments

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Using Outdoor and Indoor Environments

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Unit 6 Assignment - Picture Evaluation

  11. 11

    Unit 7: Evaluating Progress and Completion

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Evaluating Progress and Completion

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Sample GTKY Written Summaries

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Unit 7 Knowledge Check

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Sadie's Story and Saga

  12. 12

    Unit 7.1: Live Session for Evaluation Progress and Completion

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Unit 7 Live Session via Zoom

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Confirmation: Ready to Participate in Upcoming Live Session for Unit 7

Enroll now and start learning

Register now to secure your place! If you register by February 28, 2026 enter this code at checkout to get a 15% discount on the course fee: byfeb28

$349.00

Enroll now

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

The Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC) has awarded 13 CEUs for this course.