Title image for Big Feelings Class for dog reactivity training with assistance from a licensed psychologist.

Big Feelings Class

Rethinking Reactivity

Canine Inspired Change is helping dogs with big feelings—and their humans—find calm, confidence, and connection.

If your dog barks, lunges, or shuts down around certain triggers, like other dogs, people, cars, bikes, or sounds, you’re not alone. Reactivity can feel overwhelming, but with understanding, empathy, and science-backed training, you and your dog can learn new ways to cope and connect.

Join CIC’s Big Feelings Class, a unique dog reactivity course that supports both ends of the leash! This class is pairing certified dog trainers with the guidance of a licensed psychologist to help you and your dog navigate big emotions together.

What is Reactivity?

Reactivity isn’t bad or aggressive behavior, it’s simply communication. A reactive dog is often feeling anxious, frustrated, or scared, and expresses those big emotions through challenging behaviors like barking, lunging, jumping, spinning, laying down, or avoidance.

In this class, we’ll help you decode your dog’s body language and emotional state so you can respond with compassionate, effective training strategies instead of stress or frustration. You’ll also explore your own reactions, feelings of stress, and expectations as a handler with tools and insights from a licensed psychologist to help you stay grounded and confident when emotions run high.

You’ll leave the class a toolkit of evidence-based techniques to help your dog thrive, plus emotional support and guidance to help you do the same.

Who will benefit from this class:

This class is ideal for dogs who:

  • Bark, lunge, or growl at people, dogs, or new situations

  • Get fixated on things that upset or scare them

  • Are easily startled, overwhelmed, or overexcited

  • Struggle to relax on walks or in busy environments or the home

  • Are on high alert for sounds, sights or scents that trigger them

If you’ve ever felt exhausted, anxious, or misunderstood because of your dog’s reactivity, this class was built with you in mind.

You might recognize yourself in some of these experiences shared by other reactive dog owners:

  • Feeling isolated because friends or family “don’t get it,” and wishing you could just enjoy time with them without having to constantly explain your dog’s needs.

  • Feeling judged or unwelcome in public spaces, even though your dog is loving and joyful at home.

  • Living with a constant background of anxiety and wondering if there’s a dog around the next corner, if someone’s off-leash pet might approach, or if your dog will be misunderstood.

  • Feeling emotionally drained after repeated triggers or training setbacks, or finding yourself on edge and frustrated when your dog’s stress sets off your own.

  • Constantly adjusting plans, things like which route to take, which door to use, which friends to visit, just to keep your dog safe and comfortable.

If any of that resonates with you, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to keep managing it on your own. This class is not just about dog training, it’s about building a supportive community of like minded individuals experiencing similar experiences.

The Big Feelings Class is designed to support both you and your dog. With the combined guidance of certified trainers and a licensed psychologist, you’ll learn not only how to help your dog feel calmer and more confident, but also how to care for your own emotional well-being in the process.

The CIC Difference

At Canine Inspired Change, we believe emotional wellness matters for both dogs and humans. Our instructors combine certified, positive-reinforcement training with compassionate psychological insight, ensuring that every participant feels understood, supported, and empowered.

You’ll gain not just practical skills to help your dog with reactivity, but also a deeper understanding of your shared emotional world, building trust, resilience, and harmony on both ends of the leash.

Your dog’s big feelings don’t have to feel so big forever…. and neither do yours.


Join the Big Feelings Class waitlist and start your journey toward calmer walks, better communication, and a stronger bond built on mutual understanding.

Ready to embark?

Join the Waitlist

Big Feelings Class

Big Feelings Class
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What people say about our training classes

  • "We loved our experience with Canine Inspired Change! Beth was a wonderful teacher and helped us to better understand and get to know our new to us Hound. She was patient and I especially appreciated how welcoming CIC was to our kids. This was great to do this together. Thanks for the great work you do in our community!"

    Jennifer B

  • "My dog and I had a great experience taking Canine Inspired Change's therapy dog course. Taylor and Beth, the trainers, created a welcoming, non-judgmental space for everyone. My dog always was so excited to attend class. Something that sets CIC apart from other organizations is that they bring in volunteer students to practice working with the teams. I gained more confidence as we worked through real-life scenarios together."

    Gracia S

  • "My experience at Canine Inspired Change has been nothing but positive. Our dog and I attended their Foundational Skills program in the summer of 2025 - Taylor and Beth did a wonderful job as facilitators. We found it extremely helpful and based on that, we've also committed to their next class, Therapy Dog training later this year. Overall, the organization's mission, programs and people are truly valuable and make a difference in our world, in my humble opinion."

    Bryan A

  • "We had a wonderful experience with Taylor and Beth at CIC! The puppy class was thoughtfully curated and tailored to meet each puppy where they were. We not only learned the classic puppy skills, but also practical tools—like pattern games—that we can continue to use during the teenage years. Each week included new objects and experiences, from meeting people with crutches to being introduced to kids and new faces, helping the puppies build confidence. At the end of each class, there was even a bit of playtime for the puppies. Taylor and Beth also shared a wealth of useful information on navigating fear periods, recognizing appropriate play and handling for groomer and vet visits. We left the class with more knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to support our puppy’s growth."

    Kelsey J

  • ​"Before finding Canine Inspired Change, I was honestly at my wit’s end. I had tried other training centers, and each time I left feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and defeated—often in tears—thinking maybe my dog was just “bad” or untrainable. It was heartbreaking. Then we found CIC, and everything changed. At Canine Inspired Change, Torque wasn’t treated like a problem to be fixed—he was seen as a partner. Through their compassionate, empowering, and trauma-informed approach, we both grew in ways I never imagined. Torque became more than just my dog—he became my partner. I saw his confidence bloom and our bond deepen like never before. He went from being misunderstood to being celebrated, and I finally felt seen and supported as his person. Canine Inspired Change doesn’t just train dogs. They transform relationships. "

    Madi N

  • "After a disappointing puppy kindergarten experience elsewhere, we decided to try again at CIC, and let me just say the difference almost made me mad. Why can’t all puppy classes be like this one?!?! CIC cares about more than just teaching your pup basic obedience skills: they do that PLUS focus on the emotional wellbeing of both pup and owner. They’ve also created a space that is welcoming and supportive of the training, allowing sufficient space for each puppy to focus on the tasks at hand, while also giving them ample time to play with the other puppies at the end. There’s no way we would take Oliver anywhere else as we continue his training. Whether you are hoping your pup will eventually become a therapy dog, or you just want to get your pup off to a great start, this is the place to go."

    T B

  • "I have trained my previous dogs through other local training facilities and none of them come close to the excellent training, helpful hints, videos and compassion of the trainers at Canine Inspired Change. My dog and I will be continuing our training with the Therapy Dog classes and we're both excited for our class to start. Thank you so much!"

    Nancy T

  • "Great facility and positive vibe with professional and respectful trainers. Skills are taught clearly in a relaxed and measured way. Danielle and Taylor both have a way of making both owners and dogs feel like they can and will be successful. The most positive and encouraging trainers I’ve ever had!"

    Liz M

  • "What an amazing team of dog experts! Foundations class at CIC did what other training classes couldn't for my rescue dog and me. We became a better family because CIC met us where we were at and taught us the communication skills we needed to work through the rough stuff."

    Louise T