Will Bangura, M.S., CAB-ICB, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FDM, FFCP is the Phoenix dog behaviorist and certified canine behaviorist for dog aggression, dog anxiety, dog reactivity, fear, phobias, separation anxiety, dogs fighting in the home, and severe dog behavior problems that ordinary training cannot resolve.
You are not alone. Many dogs with serious behavior problems improve significantly when the work is grounded in accurate assessment, emotional safety, and evidence-based behavior modification. There is a path forward.
A certified canine behaviorist, certified behavior consultant, Family Dog Mediator, and Fear Free Certified Professional with more than 35 years of experience helping dogs with aggression, anxiety, fear, reactivity, separation anxiety, phobias, and complex behavior problems.
You work directly with Will, using science-based, force-free behavior modification. No shock collars, prong collars, choke chains, or intimidation.
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We are so grateful we found Will Bangura and Phoenix Dog Training. After working with multiple dog trainers in Phoenix for our dog’s aggression and reactivity issues, nothing was truly helping because nobody was addressing the underlying fear and anxiety driving the behavior. Our veterinarian recommended working with a certified dog behaviorist, and that is when we found Will. Our German Shepherd had severe leash reactivity toward other dogs and strangers, and we were honestly afraid we might eventually have a bite incident. From the very first behavior consultation, Will was incredibly thorough, professional, and compassionate. He took the time to explain canine body language, stress signals, trigger stacking, and why punishment-based training can actually make aggression worse. What really stood out was that this was not just obedience training. This was real behavior modification based on science and positive reinforcement. Within a few weeks, we started seeing dramatic improvement. Our dog became calmer, more confident, and far less reactive on walks. If you are searching for a dog behaviorist in Phoenix, dog aggression training in Phoenix, or help for a reactive dog, we cannot recommend Phoenix Dog Training enough. Will Bangura is truly an expert in dog aggression, fear, anxiety, and reactivity. We finally feel hopeful again, and more importantly, our dog is happier and less stressed. Thank you, Will, for changing our lives and helping us better understand our dog.
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Tzivia Masliansky
111 days ago
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you have a dog who’s been struggling — behaviorally, emotionally, or both — Will is your person. My dog Hank came to him as a genuinely difficult case, and the progress has been remarkable. Will doesn’t just address surface behaviors but gets to the root of the issue. He’s even collaborated with Hank’s vet to make sure his medication is properly equilibrated, understanding that behavior and biology aren’t separate conversations. That integrative, science-based approach is rare and makes a real difference. Will’s method is thoughtful and effective. He’s opened my eyes to how much sniffing can help a dog’s nervous system relax which has been critical to Hank’s progress. The results speak for themselves. Hank is less reactive, handles guests without going off the rails, is far easier to calm down when he gets overstimulated, and the humping situation is significantly more civilized. Will took all of it seriously without judgment and tackled each issue methodically. I’m excited to continue working with Will to help Hank keep making progress.
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Mark Meyers
142 days ago
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+0
I have had pet dogs for for decades and have experienced several trainers. Lexi my Sheltie is a reactive dog and other trainers were unable to make much progress with her. One even suggested she be euthenized! Will has turned out to be the most knowledgeable and patient canine behavior expert/trainer I have met and has been successful in helping Lexi. He provided me with verbal, written and, at times, recorded instructions as well as videos all of which were very helpful. Will is genuinely concerned with his canine students as evidenced by his calls to check and see how Lexi was doing. Lexi's behavior is much improved as is her quality of life. I highly recommend him if your dog has a behavior problem.
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Vicki Hayes
300 days ago
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+0
Will is amazing! He really knows what he’s talking about and what he’s doing. He’s very passionate about guiding you to train your dog with positive reinforcement and love. Our reactive Springer Millie has come a long way with Will’s guidance. Even though we are not always as consistent as we need to be, we/she have learned a lot and we will continue to implement all of the great stuff Will has taught us. He is accessible and cares about your dog. I highly recommend Will. We have used 2 other trainers in the valley that don’t even come close to Will! I am so glad I reached to him. 😊
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Mitzi Krockover
348 days ago
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Dr. Will Worked with me for about two hours. He did a thorough interview and observed Maggie my dog. At the end of the session, I had insights about potential health challenges, ways to change her behavior and I felt hopeful that we were on the right track. Maggie was comfortable with Dr. Will and I feel like it was a great session. I look forward to putting into practice his suggestions.
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Megan W
377 days ago
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Will helped us to train our young, reactive rescue dog. He taught us so many different ways to handle the issues we were experiencing, as well as recommended resources to help us better understand her behavior. It is obvious that Will is an expert in dog behavior and passionate about what he does. There isn’t a doubt in our minds that if we hadn’t reached out to and worked with Will that we wouldn’t be where we are today with our dog. We are grateful for his direction, dedication, and commitment to helping us. Thank you, Will!
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Julie Davis
458 days ago
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If I could give 10 stars, I would! Will Bangura at Phoenix Dog Training is hands down the best when it comes to dog aggression positive based training in Phoenix. I met Will when I needed assistance with a difficult dog training situation that required a behaviorist. I was looking for a dog/canine training behaviorist in our area, that supported anxiety and aggression cases leveraging a positive approach. That was the start of a wonderful mentorship and ultimately friendship that has grown out of mutual respect and admiration. Will goes above and beyond in everything he does, is a wonderful human, willing to jump in and help at a moment’s notice. If you're looking for help with dog aggression training in Phoenix, I can't recommend Will Bangura at Phoenix Dog Training highly enough. He is a certified professional dog behaviorist in Phoenix with deep expertise in working with dogs that have reactivity, separation anxiety, fears, and phobias. His approach for behavior modification and training is rooted in science-based dog training and he uses only positive reinforcement and force-free methods - something that was incredibly important to me when choosing a behavioral trainer. He is an expert who changes lives—for dogs and their people. If you're struggling with serious behavior challenges, he’s the professional you want in your corner.
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Sharon Winters
500 days ago
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I needed a mobility-balance dog, but $50,000.00 was not in the budget. We went to Maricopa County Care and Control and found a large but skinny dog. He was at least nine-years old and looked into my eyes with kindness. I wanted him. At home we fed him Farmers Dog and treats of meat. In eight weeks he gained twenty pounds. His veterinarian pronounced him to be a good weight and healthy. He was a happy boy and ready for training. We hired Phoenix Dog Training to train him. Charley was ready to work in four months and didn’t have to leave home for his training. He was trained with kindness and love. It’s been three years since we took Charley home. Charley helps me navigate outside my home, up and down curbs, stairs, over cracked parking lots, and bumpy sidewalks. He is welcomed in every office, store, and restaurant. He never barks (except at home), obeys his twenty-three commands, and understands twelve hand signs. He went to a concert today with us. We couldn’t love him more. A trained service dog is a blessing.
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Nathaniel Shepherd
677 days ago
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I just recently meet with Will for an in-person appointment and couldn't be happier with my experience. Will’s knowledge with canine behavior is beyond exceptional leaving me feeling confident in training my dog. If you ever want knowledge and training from the best of the best Will is your guy.
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Dillon Denney
732 days ago
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I can’t recommend Will Bangura enough! My dog had severe fear aggression, as well as crippling anxiety and separation anxiety. After trying several other trainers with no success, I found Will, a certified dog behaviorist, and our lives have changed completely. He truly understands the complexities of dog aggression and anxiety and works from a science-based approach that made all the difference. Within just a few sessions, Will helped my dog feel more confident and less reactive. He taught me how to read my dog’s signals and how to manage situations that would usually trigger fear or anxiety. Now, my dog is much calmer and happier, and the fear-based aggression is significantly reduced. His separation anxiety, which used to cause so much stress for both of us, is no longer a major issue. Will’s expertise in dealing with aggressive dogs with anxiety is unparalleled, and I’m so grateful for his guidance. If you’re dealing with dog aggression or a dog with anxiety, I highly recommend working with Will Bangura. His professionalism, knowledge, and care for both the dog and the pet parent are outstanding.
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Odalys Garcia
778 days ago
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Bella, our Chihuahua, had intense fear and aggression towards other dogs. We were recommended to Will Bangura at Phoenix Dog Training by a friend. Will's approach was gentle yet effective. Through consistent positive reinforcement training, Bella gradually became less fearful and more sociable. We saw a dramatic change in her behavior. Bella can now interact with other dogs without fear or aggression. Will is an exceptional dog aggression trainer in Phoenix, and his dedication to his work is evident in the results.
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Kayla Marsteller
784 days ago
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Life-Changing Dog Training, Will Bangura and Phoenix Dog Training Transformed Our Aggressive French Bulldog I can't say enough about the incredible experience we had with Phoenix Dog Training and Certified Dog Behaviorist Will Bangura. We brought our 4-year-old French bulldog, Max, to Will because of severe aggression and reactivity towards people and other dogs, as well as debilitating separation anxiety. From the very first consultation, it was clear that Will's expertise and compassionate approach set him apart. He took the time to thoroughly understand Max's history, behavior triggers, and our concerns as pet parents. His knowledge and experience were evident as he explained the science-based techniques he would use to help Max. Will implemented a comprehensive behavior modification plan tailored specifically to Max's needs. His step-by-step guidance and positive reinforcement strategies made a world of difference. Within a few sessions, we noticed a significant reduction in Max's aggression and reactivity. Will's methods not only helped Max become more relaxed and confident around people and dogs but also strengthened our bond with him. One of the most challenging issues was Max's separation anxiety. Will provided us with practical and effective strategies to ease Max's anxiety when left alone. His approach was gradual and thoughtful, ensuring that Max was comfortable every step of the way. Thanks to Will, Max can now stay calm and relaxed even when we're not home, something we never thought possible. What truly sets Will apart is his dedication and genuine care for his clients. He was always available to answer our questions and provide support throughout the process. His passion for helping dogs and their families is evident in every interaction. If you're looking for a certified dog behaviorist who delivers real, lasting results, look no further than Will Bangura at Phoenix Dog Training. He has transformed our lives and given Max the chance to be a happy, well-adjusted dog. We highly recommend Will to anyone struggling with dog behavior issues. Thank you, Will, for your outstanding work and for giving us the gift of a harmonious life with Max!
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Yolanda Smith
785 days ago
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Our Pitbull Sasha suffered from debilitating separation anxiety and reactivity. We were at our wits' end until we found Will Bangura at Phoenix Dog Training. Will's expertise in positive reinforcement was exactly what she needed. He taught us how to create a safe and calm environment for Sasha reducing her anxiety significantly. She was able to stay alone without panic, and her reactive behavior has diminished greatly. Will is a certified dog behaviorist who truly cares about the dogs he works with. We can't thank him enough
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Viviana garcia
790 days ago
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Will Bangura at Phoenix Dog Training was a lifesaver for our husky Ivy. Ivy had severe dog aggression issues that made walks and social outings a nightmare. Will's positive reinforcement methods worked wonders. He crafted a personalized training plan that helped Ivy overcome his aggressive tendencies. Now, Ivy can walk calmly by other dogs and even enjoy playdates. Will is, without a doubt, the best dog behaviorist in Phoenix. We highly recommend his services to anyone struggling with dog aggression
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Isaiah Ishmail
792 days ago
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I can't thank Will Bangura and Phoenix Dog Training enough for the incredible work they did with my dog, Poolie. Poolie struggled with severe dog aggression, anxiety, and was a very fearful dog. Will, as a top-notch behaviorist, provided a comprehensive behavior modification plan that truly transformed Poolie's behavior. From the first consultation, Will's expertise in training for an aggressive dog was evident. He was patient, understanding, and used evidence-based techniques that catered specifically to Poolie's needs. The improvement in Poolie's anxiety and fearfulness was remarkable, and I now have a much happier and more confident dog. The personalized training sessions were highly effective, and Will's dedication to Poolie's progress was unwavering. If you're facing challenges with dog aggression or have a fearful dog, I highly recommend Will Bangura and Phoenix Dog Training. Their approach to behavior modification and training for an aggressive dog is truly exceptional.
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Loren Miller
1359 days ago
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Had such an amazing experience with Phoenix Dog Training and Jordan! We rescued a wild and high energy husky that is now a lot more calm and listens to others than just myself. Jordan was great to work with an accommodated for our work schedule. I would highly recommend them in the future!
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Jessie Bolz
1362 days ago
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We reached out to Phoenix Dog Training to help with our 5-year-old rescue, Saint. Saint was a stray before we rescued him from the county shelter where he was set to be euthanized for uncontrollable anxious behavior. Because of this, he had severe anxiety and his reactivity to other dogs, people, cars, loud noises, large objects, etc. and it was only getting worse. Taking Saint to the vet, on a walk, or outside of the house for any reason brought so much stress and anxiety not only on us, but of course him as well. Thankfully, we found Phoenix Dog Training and our trainer Jordan helped us work through all of our issues with Saint. Phoenix Dog Training offers a full service approach and trains not only your dog, but teaches you so much as well so you can fully understand your dog and make both of your lives better. Jordan was extremely thorough and worked with our veterinarian to rule out any underlying health conditions that could possibly explain Saint's prior behavior. Once we started training with Jordan, Saint became a totally different dog. It has changed our life to have Saint turn into this relaxed, calm, obedient dog. Now, anyone who meets Saint cannot believe it when I tell them about his past or that he was an anxious dog. Everyone who meets him says they wish he was their dog and that he's the best and sweetest dog they've ever met! That would not have been possible without the help of Phoenix Dog Training, especially Jordan. Don't give up on your dog or their potential, if you need help, don't hesitate to reach out to Phoenix Dog Training ASAP!
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Sarah Bodnar
1367 days ago
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Amazing experience!
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Ja Na
1532 days ago
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So proud of our boy Rocky. He finished his last training and his aggression and people skills gotten so much better! Rocky (Husky and German shepherd) has high energy, anxiety, aggression, he’s stubborn, lunges, and likes to nip a lot. Went through 4 different places with numerous trainers. At 4 months, we were warned he is going to be a handful and we’ll have to pretty much turn our lives around if we decided to keep him. We tried all kinds of training from group classes, personal training, 30 day boot camp which they end up just keeping the deposit and didn’t want to take the rest of our money because they couldn’t train him. Another place advise us to euthanize him. He was 11 months at that time 😭😡. We felt hopeless. Did some research on dog aggressive trainers and found phoenixdogtraining.com. They talked about board/training, anxiety, fear, aggression and what really popped out was their quote, “PLEASE BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR DOG DOWN CONTACT US. WE CAN HELP WHERE OTHERS CAN’T” Got introduced to Jordan and been working with him since June 2021. He gave us hope. We did half training at home and the other half at the park. Rocky is so much better and we’re not afraid to bring him around people. We know how to train people to be around him and what not to do around him. We just had to find the right trainer that deals with these kind of dog personality/behaviors, take what we learned, train him, and give him lots of love!! Still need some work and consistent training but he’s a good boy. Proud of Rocky 🐾 🤍🤎🖤
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Spencer Andrews
1574 days ago
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Thank you, Jordan, for helping us train our German Shepherd, Cookie. We have learned a lot.
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Venetzia Madison
1623 days ago
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+0
Listen to Will and Jordan's show every Saturday and you will completely understand why they are the best in the business. Interesting topics and great advice for pet parents no matter what your geographical location. By listening to one show on a Saturday morning and calling in, I was able to learn enough about my dog's behavior to correct it. Now Ms." Gimme your sammich" no longer begs or throws a tantrum. Sometimes pet parents need training too.
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Trevor Campbell
1635 days ago
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Phoenix Dog Training was excellent to work with. Both Will and Jordan were great at explaining what we needed to do to work with our dog and provided plenty of resources for us to better understand how to read our dog. I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants to learn how to work with their own dog.
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Sergiy Kostenko
1678 days ago
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Nicole Lucas
1684 days ago
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+1
Jordan has been a god sent. I uprooted my puppy from SC to AZ when my husband deployed. She regressed immensely and became dog aggressive to boot. I was overwhelmed and felt like a dog mom failure for putting her through this. It’s been four months and my girl is still this wild crazy lab, but she’s seen so much positive improvements since we started training. She’s listening, obedient, her anxiety has decreased, and we were able to walk the park this week. Jordan’s been amazing and responsive with all my questions when I’m at home and training. I cannot wait to see where Sesi is at in another 3 months.
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kinzie teixeira-farmer
1707 days ago
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Jordan was such a help with my puppy, Roscoe! He explained how I could stop my puppy from jumping all the time and even helped me with potty training by sending a very detailed course on how to properly potty train my dog. I cannot explain how helpful this radio show is and how professional they are and how much they know about dog behavior.
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Anne Van Leeuwen
1709 days ago
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During our first meeting with Will and Jordan we were very impressed with how attentively they listened to our concerns and issues. After our first meeting we felt confident that the goals we set for our dogs would be achieved. Our dogs have exponentially exceeded our expectations. The knowledge and tools that Jordan provided have not only made us better pet owners but we now have a much deeper understanding of animals and their behaviors. The training REALLY works! But you have to own the tasks, take the time, and put the work in (we know it's easier said than done!). Occasionally when things didn't come together, Jordan and Will always took took the time to formulate a new and successful plan. Jordan always had time to listen, was always present, and never made our training sessions feel rushed. Had we only known Will and Jordan a couple of years ago, we would not have lost a precious young dog. We have worked (unsuccessfully) with other trainers and have never met a more caring, compassionate, understanding, and effective trainer as Jordan. Highly recommend Phoenix Dog Training. Can't say enough good things...as you can see 🙂
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Tammy Marsteller
1744 days ago
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Phoenix Dog Training has some of the most knowledgeable trainers I’ve ever interacted with. Will and Jordan really understand the behavior behind why my dog kept barking and whining all the time. With their help I was able to let my elderly mother walk in my home again without the fear of my dog jumping on her.
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Rubyan Rodriguez
1746 days ago
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Todd Palmo
1757 days ago
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Bill came out and met with 15 week old puppy, Koda and I. I was amazed right from the start at how he was able to get Koda to do things very quickly and easily within the first 15 minutes. Bill was very knowledgeable and gave me some homework to work with Koda on. I followed his instruction. Upon Bills return I came to the conclusion the one who needs the most training is me. I was once again impressed at the way Bill seems to be able to communicate with Koda. I am truly impressed and feel I made a great decision in calling Phoenix dog training. I think we have a dog whisperer right here in our home state. Watch out Cesar Millan 🙂 Thank you so much for your help with Koda and I. Sincerely, Todd
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Cody W
1791 days ago
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Will has been an incredible resource for me and my wife when it came to training our new puppy. He was extremely knowledgeable and provided insight into psychological and behavioral issues that my wife and I didn’t even realize were concerns. He had great communication, set clear expectations and goals that we could track, and provided resources and videos for the many questions we had. He has an easy to imitate hands on approach and does the training sessions during in home visits to make sure our puppy was learning in the environment it will always be in. And to top it all off, Will stayed over an hour longer than our last expected appointment time because of questions and training struggles that we were having. It was obvious that he really cared about our success and making sure we understood all the information he provided, which just meant so much to us. If you are looking for someone to help guide you and your dog through training, Will is your best chance at success!
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GACMA Artists and Events
1802 days ago
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As a disabled Vietnam Vet and American Patriot who has owned several dogs, (raised from 4month old puppies) I decided to contact these folks to help me with a new dog, when I saw they were veteran owned! She is a 2yr. old Greaat Dane who is very friendly and lovable, but has "dog aggression" issues. Will and Jordan have gone above and beyond to make sure I get the help I need to make her not only a well behaved Great Dane, but a well trained great dog. I spend my money wisely and always look for the best value for my dollars. These folks know their stuff and are a credit to the profession.
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John Smith
1987 days ago
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I can't recommend Phoenix Dog Training LLC enough. We have had at least 10 dogs over the years but this last shepherd that we bought was more than we could handle so we reached out and started training under the expertise of Phil Behun. We tried several trainers from other companies before Phil, none of which were satisfactory. Working with Phil has been a pure joy, he really knows what's going on inside the dog's head which makes him such a valuable trainer. There is no situation that surprises Phil and you can tell that he's lived through every possible dog scenario that could possibly happen which gives us as dog owners the confidence we need to overcome all types of difficult situations, especially when my dog shows aggression. I want to thank PDT and especially Phil for all they have done to help my dog and my family.
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Robert Santana
1994 days ago
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I can't give this guy enough credit. I was a frustrated first time dog owner and I was that annoying client that sent him novels of complaints about my dog. I feel like a dog training apprentice after working with him. get compliments on my dog's behavior everywhere I go now. I walk an 18 month old pitbull around Old Town Scottsdale without a leash and no issue and have been doing so since she was 12 months. The real challenge came at my girlfriend's house. My girlfriend had two untrained, misbehaved adult dogs. One is a 4 year old Boston Terrier and one is an 8 year old French Bulldog/Boston Terrier mix. Will, as well as several trainers I shopped when I found him, explicitly told me that all dogs must be trained to get the desired behaviors and all humans must be on the same page about expected dog behavior. I got my dog to the point where she was well trained everywhere except my girlfriend's house, where she would turn into a Tasmanian devil. I did everything I could to try and avoid training the other two dogs. I ended up trying to board and train them elsewhere only to find mistakes in the training with my now trained eye and ended up having to pull up my bootstraps and put the work in. The house is much more peaceful now and the dogs are behaving much better and I could not be more thankful. He will make you work but by damn he gives you some life skills that I'm not sure you will find elsewhere. Will is a very gifted trainer and I hope that he forgives me for harassing him so much in the early months!
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Nancy Townsend
2053 days ago
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I am very pleased with the training of my German Shepard. The best part for me is that I'm able to txt or call Mr. Zorn with questions about my dog. And the answers are always professional and helpful!
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Kristin Buchanan
2067 days ago
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Steve Zorn, of Phx Dog Training is amazing. He helped us adopt the sweetest husky/shepherd mix. He’s worked with us on helping her overcome her anxiety and is teaching us to teach her basic commands. He knows a lot about dog behavior, is responsive if we ever have questions or concerns, and our dog Rocky absolutely loves him. I’ve already recommended him to several friends and if you want a well trained, well adjusted, and happy dog, I recommend him to you too!
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Bobbi Dosher
2093 days ago
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If I could give Steve 20 stars, I would! He was absolutely amazing with my puppy. My dog is so well behaved and, most importantly, HAPPY. I would recommend him to anyone
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Ashley Newell
2227 days ago
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Phoenix Dog Training is absolutely worth every penny! Our trainer, Phil, was incredibly knowledgeable and taught us so much about our puppy's behavior and our own! He really listened to what we wanted with training our puppy and tailored each lesson to exactly what we wanted. We are thrilled with our puppy Westley's progress after 3 lessons with Phil. We also have some tips and tricks in our back pocket from talking with Phil as we move forward continuing to train Westley. Highly recommend!
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Lucile Henderson
2229 days ago
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Steve did a wonderful job training our Australian Shepherd (Maverick). Maverick had some opportunities when it came to aggression and recalls. Post training he is no longer aggressive, great with recalls, and we have no behavioral concerns. Steve did a great job at sharing his knowledge and expertise towards dog training to help us achieve the behaviors we were looking for. Steve was always timely for our sessions and very enthusiastic to see Maverick. Steve really is passionate about dogs and training them. We would recommend Phoenix Dog Training to all those looking for her with dog training.
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susan
2243 days ago
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We got a puppy two weeks ago. And from the first night, I realized how ill equipped i was to handle it. I was so very frustrated and tired the first few days, I seriously wanted to give her back. But because I am stubborn and i want this to work, i knew I needed someone's help. I contacted another trainer that blew me off, so I called phoenix dog training and had an appointment and some hope within 20 minutes. I have only had one session from Phil so far, and it was only 3 days ago, but I already am so happy and have so much more hope for our puppy and family. The biggest thing he said that stuck was that I had to stop thinking that a dog thinks like a human, so I had to shift my thinking about it. I learned that I can't correct before or after she does something wrong because she won't know why she is in "trouble." I learned that in order for her to learn anything, it just needs to be done over and over. And while it is tedious and takes a lot of time, it will ultimately be the best for her and for our family. Phil has responded to texts and given great advice. It is WELL worth the money. And that is coming from one session. I can't wait to see how much more my puppy progresses
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Dan Dever
2522 days ago
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The perfect combination of knowledge, professionalism and kindness to both animals and people alike. The instruction that Will has provided to us has been the single most productive thing that we have ever done for any dog that has been in our family. Would give the highest possible recommendation!!!
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Chawka
2581 days ago
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Duke x
2741 days ago
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Yuk and Yak are totally brand new dogs since I took them there.
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Allan Buenaventura
2741 days ago
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T Gant
2741 days ago
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I would highly recommend to any dog lover! He’s the best.
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Marilyn Knapp
2743 days ago
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Awesome caring wonderful experience!! The best there is for dog whisper!!! Highly recommend would not go to anyone else to train a problematic dog!!
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Amadu basse
2743 days ago
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Bill is an expert in his field and I highly recommend him
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Hannah Bangura
2744 days ago
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He is knowledgeable very professional. I highly recommend him
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Robert Weedman
2746 days ago
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I own vizsla and he was more than rambunctious at only 4 months. After training with Phoenix dog training he is now good in public and in dog parks off leash. I never knew I could have a dog be so obedient and loving. Thank you for making my pet a full time best friend for life.
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Carol Peck
2782 days ago
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Bill did a terrific job training our little rescue dog and us! Ziggy was about a year old when he was dumped in neighborhood and hadn't even been house trained. He's come a long way thanks to Bill.
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Ashley Katers
2802 days ago
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Melinda McClean
3017 days ago
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My wife and I are more than happy with the work that Bill did for us, and our dog. We reached out to him for one-on-one training, frustrated and concerned about her reactive behavior. His knowledge of dog behavior is extensive, and his ability to impart that knowledge was exceptional. We learned more in one day, than we did in 6 months of group training with another organisation. Bill guided us through the training, and explained how we should progress through to maintenance, so that our dog's progress could continue. We've received many positive comments about our dog's improved behavior and we highly recommend Bill. He's given us the knowledge and confidence that we need to work with our dog.
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Linda Shoemaker
3031 days ago
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My husband, our Great Dane Misty, and I are so glad we signed up for training. We so appreciate all the training we received to help us better manage our girl. So much better but still a ways to go and now we have the knowledge and help we needed. We also know that anytime we have a question or issue that Bill will be there to help. Highly recommend. Jack, Linda, and Misty Shoemaker
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Jamie Janofsky
3155 days ago
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Such a great service, knowledgeable & easy to work with. Highly recommend!
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Keri Grunert
3155 days ago
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Phoenix Dog Training is Phenomenal!! From the very beginning we knew we were in good hands. They worked so well with our whole family. Getting the kids involved in the training was brilliant. We would definitely recommend this company.
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Bernard Wunder
3275 days ago
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Hiring a dog trainer you can trust in Phoenix is not easy. Phoenix Dog Training was recommended by my Veterinarian who has referred their clients to Phoenix Dog Training for years. I called, spoke to the owner, set up a assessment and evaluation, and a training program was customized to my dogs challenges and my goals. Today I have the perfect trained dog because of Phoenix Dog Training. I recommend Phoenix Dog Training to anyone who wants a super well behaved and trained dog.
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Numb Brrr
3275 days ago
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Phoenix Dog Training is AMAZING! They rehabilitated my aggressive PitBull when 3 other trainers failed and told me the only option was to euthanize my dog. Boy am I glad I did not listen to the other trainers and hired a real Dog Behaviorist. It is very different working with a professional Dog Behaviorist than just a Dog Trainer. It was worth the money and the time to save my dogs life. Definitely hire Phoenix Dog Training.
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Lisa Stone
3275 days ago
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I want to give a big thank you to Bill, and Phoenix dog training. Bill was our dog behaviorist. Our shih Tzu, Loki was very fearful and would not respond to commands, walk on a leash, and would not learn to go potty outside. Phoenix Dog Training did an excellent job explaining to me exactly what I needed to do to help Loki be calm, relaxed, and listen to me. It has been 2 months now and Loki is doing great. Thank you again for the great service.
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Paras Dhankecha
3276 days ago
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I really want to thank you guys. Phoenix Dog Training has made my dogs life and my life so much better. I get to finally enjoy my dog. Walks are now a pleasure. She sits and stays when I tell her. When I call her to me, now she comes. I love the "place" command and that seems to be her favorite command too. I'm looking forward to the Polishing and Maintenance classes that Phoenix Dog Training offers after our completion of our private at home dog training lessons. Thank you again.
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B B
3278 days ago
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I am so grateful I found Phoenix Dog Training. I live up in North Scottsdale and have a large yard. We get a lot of wild animals that come onto our property. Coyotes, Havelina, Bob Cats Mountain Lion, you name it. The problem I was having was my dog Skip would not come when called. No matter what we did he would not come when called. He would call me when there were no distractions. He would come when nothing was going on. But up another dog or another person or another animal is there, he will not come for anything! I have tried several other dog trainers in Scottsdale. They all promised me they could get my dog to come, and they did a great job getting my dog to listen to me when there were no distractions. But if there's another animal, they were not able to get my dog to come when called. Out of frustration and skeptical, I called Phoenix dog training. They said they had a money back guarantee. I figured if there was ever a time they would have to honor their money back guarantee it would be with myself and my dog Skip. To my absolute amazement, the dog trainer from Phoenix Dog Training was able to get Skip to come with the distraction of another dog he brought with him within about 3 minutes! It was absolutely crazy!!! No one had been able to produce any results, and here they have skip coming when called with another dog around, skip would normally go crazy. But this time he was coming when called! I would definitely recommend Phoenix Dog Training!!! They saved my dog from being eaten from a Mountain Lion I'm sure!!!
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Mark Ashton (Paint by Numbers)
3281 days ago
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Phoenix Dog Training literally saved me from having to put my dog down. My dog Sophie, is a rescue dog, and we believe she had been previously abused. She had severe fear aggression, as well as other severe phobias such as thunderstorms, she could not ride in the car, and she would not let us put a leash on her or take her for a walk. The Dog Behaviorist Phoenix Dog Training sent, was incredibly knowledgeable and compassionate. It took a lot of work, but it was worth it to be able to keep Sophie. Today Sophie can enjoy being a normal dog. I would definitely recommend Phoenix Dog Training.
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Jose Rivas
3332 days ago
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My wife and I highly recommend Phoenix Dog Training. Our dog, a Labrador Retriever/German Shepard Mix, (Mr. Pickles) was trained last summer and we could not be more happy with the results. Mr. Pickles has been an excellent dog ever since his training. Everyone that comes in contact with our dog is amazed by his obedience and uncanny maturity even though he is not even three years old. He has acted perfectly on an international flight in-cabin, in the grocery store, restaurants and practically any situation one can imagine. My wife and I have Phoenix Dog Training to thank for training our dog to be the most well behaved dog we have ever seen or met. Phoenix Dog Training understands dog behavior and knows how to train a dog to meet the needs of their owners. Phoenix Dog Training utilizes empathetic, efficient, and effective methodologies in training dogs and we give them an emphatic recommendation!
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Judith MAKOWSKI
3350 days ago
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NOW THAT WE ARE TRAINED, WE GO FOR PEACEFUL WALKS. IT IS LIKE A MIRACLE! BILL IS WONDERFUL AND MAGICAL! HE PROVIDES EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SINCERELY CARES. I AM THRILLED WITH THE RESULTS.
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Polly Laubach
3408 days ago
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Phoenix Dog Training is a miracle worker! Soon after we purchased our sibling Jack Russell puppies, we discovered one of our puppies, Sophia, was completely deaf. We were dedicated to keeping her, but knew we were going to need help training a deaf dog. Not only did our trainer train Sophie, he trained us! We implemented the training techniques we learned with our other puppy, Walter, and now our 7 month old puppies are better trained than our 10 year old Jack Russell. Because of Phoenix Dog Training, we are able to communicate effectivey with all of our dogs and the bond we have with our deaf dog Sophie is just as strong as with our dogs. Thank you Phoenix Dog Training, you have changed the quality of all of our lives!
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Sabrina Bonar
3414 days ago
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I am so thankful that I found Phoenix Dog training!! We got my daughter a multipoo for her birthday and let's just say it has been years since we had a puppy! The trainer that came out was fantastic!!! He had our little pup listening in no time and the best part was he was more than happy to work with our daughter too!! I am so happy I had them come out! He also is very helpful in all the other puppy questions I have along the way!! Thanks again Phoenix Dog training!!
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kathie howard
3414 days ago
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When our puppy was three months old we knew we needed a trainer. Phoenix Dog Training worked magic on the very first visit and it has given us such relief. In a short time, our Aussie Doodle has become a well trained, mannerly dog. We are hoping that she will one day become a therapy dog and Phoenix Dog Training is working with us towards that goal. We could not be more pleased with the training that we have received. Mack and Kathie Howard
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Esther McCue
3415 days ago
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Working with Phoenix dog training was absolutely amazing. The trainer was very professional. I now have an amazing service dog. I couldn't have asked for anything better.
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Stacy L. Libricz
3420 days ago
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We have a two-year old rescue dog who had aggression and behavior issues, specifically with men and children. We wanted to have children but knew our dog may have to rehomed. PHOENIX DOG TRAINING allowed us to keep our dog and have children. They use an e-collar that is water proof. I was skeptical of this at first, but then tried it on my self, and even at high settings does not hurt, is just an annoyance. With the behavioral modification techniques we learned we now have of the best behaved dogs around. We can have people over without them fearing for life! Our dog actually cries in excitement when Bill, the dog trainer, comes to our house. He went above and beyond to teach us how to train our dog to pay attention to us, techniques to control her anxiety, and ways to have an all around well bahved dog... she sits, stays, down, and also walks not only obedient but as happy healthy relaxed dog. Thank you PHOENIX DOG TRAINING!!
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Ritchie Miller
3429 days ago
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My experience with Phoenix Dog Training was very good. The trainer was very good at his job. My 15 month old Rottweiler has over the past 5 weeks has become different dog. I appreciate the fact that the trainer was very good, prompt and straight forward. I would recommend this company to anyone. In need this service.
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J C (Thealmostfitpilot)
3434 days ago
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Working with phoenix dog training has been nothing but wonderful. Phoenix dog training took 4 of my pups from horrible walkers to masters, took my 6 week old pup from being afraid of the leash/collar to loving it. Phoenix dog training took the time to educate me, give me resources, and kept in communication even after the training was done. Phoenix dog training in home Bootcamp was the greatest investment I've made for my pups and even after 6 months of watching/researching other companies/people, phoenix dog training was simply the best choice of them all.
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robert ferrante
3646 days ago
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
In working with Phoenix Dog Training I found the results better than I expected. My dog has much less anxiety than when we started. He follows my commands with little effort on my part. The training is less complicated than I thought it would be. What a relief.
Start here if you are worried
Behavior Problems I Specialize In
Most pet parents searching for a dog behaviorist in Phoenix are not dealing with basic manners. They are dealing with fear, panic, aggression, bite risk, dogs fighting in the home, or behavior that has not improved with ordinary training. This page is built for those cases.
Dog Aggression Toward People
Growling, lunging, snapping, biting, defensive aggression, redirected aggression, and aggression toward strangers or family members.
Dog aggression training
Dog Aggression Toward Other Dogs
Reactive or aggressive behavior toward unfamiliar dogs, neighbor dogs, or dogs on walks. Often driven by fear, frustration, or learning history.
Dog aggression training
Dogs Fighting at Home
Multi-dog household conflict, resource guarding between dogs, arousal-related fights, sibling conflict, and repeated fights that escalate.
Intra-household aggression
Leash Reactivity
Barking, lunging, pulling, spinning, or explosive behavior toward dogs, people, bikes, or other triggers during walks.
Dog aggression training
Anxiety and Fear
Generalized anxiety, hypervigilance, fear of strangers, fear of environments, vet fear, handling sensitivity, and dogs who cannot relax.
Anxiety behavior modification
Separation Anxiety
Panic when left alone, destruction, vocalization, escape attempts, self-injury, indoor elimination, and pre-departure anxiety.
Separation anxiety treatment
Resource Guarding
Guarding food, toys, chews, resting places, people, rooms, or stolen objects with growling, freezing, snapping, or biting.
Resource guarding help
Fear-Based Aggression
Dogs whose aggressive displays are rooted in fear, defensive arousal, trauma history, or repeated triggering with no safe outlet.
Dog aggression training
Noise and Storm Phobias
Panic responses to thunderstorms, fireworks, gunfire, vacuum cleaners, garbage trucks, or other intense sounds.
Fearful dog training
We Also Help With
More specialized cases and entry points pet parents reach out for.
Failed Previous Training
Dogs whose behavior has not improved or has gotten worse after board-and-train, e-collar, or punishment-based training.
Compulsive Behaviors
Tail chasing, flank sucking, excessive licking, shadow chasing, pacing, and other repetitive behaviors that interfere with daily life.
Vet and Grooming Fear
Dogs who panic, freeze, snap, or bite at the veterinarian, groomer, or during nail trims, handling, restraint, or husbandry care. Cooperative care and Fear Free protocols rebuild safety.
Puppy Behavior Concerns
Puppies showing early signs of fear, reactivity, resource guarding, handling sensitivity, or abnormal arousal. Early intervention with a behaviorist can change the trajectory.
Blind and Deaf Dog Behavior
Behavior modification for blind, deaf, or dual-sensory impaired dogs. Tactile and scent-based communication, startle reduction, confidence building, and safety planning.
Senior Dogs and Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
Disorientation, sundowning, sleep-wake disturbance, anxiety, house soiling, and other behavioral signs of cognitive decline in aging dogs. Behavior modification and veterinary collaboration support quality of life and reduce distress.
Watch: Aggression, Anxiety, and Reactivity Explained
A few minutes with Will Bangura, M.S., CAB-ICB, on what is actually driving your dog's behavior, and what it takes to change it.
What Is a Dog Behaviorist, and When Does Your Dog Actually Need One?
Call a behaviorist when there is:
A bite history or escalating bite risk
Aggression toward strangers, visitors, children, family members, or other dogs
Dogs fighting in the same home
Panic-level separation anxiety or confinement distress
Severe leash reactivity that obedience has not resolved
Fear, phobias, shutdown, avoidance, or chronic anxiety
Prior training that failed, suppressed warning signs, or made the behavior worse
Discussion of rehoming or euthanasia because the behavior feels unmanageable
If your dog’s behavior has started to frighten you, embarrass you, or quietly take over your daily life, you have probably already been told to train harder, be the boss, use a firmer hand. And yet the aggression, the panic, the fear keeps coming back. That pattern is usually the first real sign that what your dog needs is not more obedience. It is a dog behaviorist.
Who and what is a dog behaviorist?
A dog behaviorist is a clinician trained to evaluate and treat the underlying drivers of complex behavior problems: aggression, anxiety, fear, phobias, reactivity, and compulsive behavior. Where a dog trainer teaches skills, a behaviorist treats the emotional and behavioral health problem underneath them.
How is a dog behaviorist different from a dog trainer?
A dog trainer teaches obedience: sit, stay, recall, loose-leash walking, manners. Those skills have real value. But obedience is not behavior modification. A dog can obey every cue you give and still be hypervigilant, terrified, and genuinely unsafe. Obedience teaches a dog what to do. It does not change how a dog feels, and serious behavior problems are, at their core, emotional problems.
What education does a dog behaviorist have?
Dog training is an unregulated field. Anyone can call themselves a trainer with no degree, no certification, and no clinical study of abnormal behavior at all. A qualified behaviorist has advanced formal education in behavior, psychology, or ethology, often at the master’s or doctoral level, with focused study of aggression, anxiety, fear, and emotional dysregulation. The title alone does not tell you that. The credentials do.
What does a dog behaviorist do?
Rather than simply trying to stop a behavior, I look beneath it, then build an evidence-based behavior modification plan, coach your family through it, and adjust as your dog changes. The goal is not to suppress the visible behavior. It is to change the emotional associations driving it, lower stress and arousal, build real confidence, and help your dog feel safe in the situations that currently overwhelm them. I do not use shock collars, prong collars, choke collars, or fear-based methods.
When should you see a dog behaviorist?
When the behavior is driven by fear, anxiety, stress, or frustration rather than a simple gap in training. Aggression toward people or other dogs, dogs fighting in the same home, severe leash reactivity, separation anxiety, noise phobias, compulsive behaviors, panic. These are not stubbornness or dominance. They are emotional regulation problems, and they call for a different set of questions:
What is your dog actually feeling in the moments the behavior happens?
What in the environment is triggering and maintaining it?
What learning history shaped that response over time?
What medical, developmental, or pain-related factors may be contributing?
What is a realistic prognosis given this particular dog, this family, and this history?
I am Will Bangura, M.S., CAB-ICB, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FDM, FFCP. I hold a master’s degree in behavioral psychology and am one of only three professionals in the United States certified and accredited as a Canine Behaviorist through International Canine Behaviorists, with more than 35 years of experience in severe aggression, reactivity, fear, anxiety, phobias, and compulsive disorders. If your dog’s behavior feels overwhelming, you are not alone, and it is rarely as hopeless as it feels. Most dogs with serious behavior challenges improve, often dramatically, once the behavior is correctly understood and addressed with the right plan.
A safer decision for your dog
Dog Trainer vs Dog Behaviorist in Phoenix
Most pet parents searching for help with a serious dog behavior problem do not know whether they need a dog trainer or a dog behaviorist. The two roles overlap in name but not in scope, training, or fitness for severe cases. Use this comparison to make a safer decision for your dog.
Dog Trainer
Certified Canine BehavioristWill Bangura
Focus
Obedience, manners, leash skills
Aggression, anxiety, fear, reactivity, separation anxiety, severe behavior problems
Assessment
Surface behavior and training history
History, environment, triggers, emotional state, safety, medical context, learning history
Methods
May include corrections, shock collars, prong collars, or punishment
Clarity reduces anxiety. Below is exactly what happens after you reach out, so you know what to expect before, during, and after the consultation.
Intake
You complete a detailed behavior history so Will can understand what is happening before the consultation begins.
Assessment
Will evaluates triggers, history, environment, risk factors, emotional state, and the behavior patterns maintaining the problem.
Plan
You receive a behavior modification plan designed around your dog, your home, your goals, and your safety needs.
Coaching
You are coached through the exercises so you know what to do, what to avoid, and how to keep your dog below threshold.
Progress Tracking
The plan is adjusted based on observable progress, setbacks, trigger distance, recovery time, and safety.
Maintenance
You learn how to preserve progress, prevent relapse, and manage future changes in your dog’s environment.
Real clinical work, real families
What Behavior Modification Looks Like in Real Life
These real client testimonials show the kinds of serious behavior concerns pet parents bring to Will Bangura and Phoenix Dog Training, including aggression, anxiety, reactivity, separation anxiety, fear, overstimulation, and cases requiring careful behavior modification and veterinary collaboration.
“If you have a dog who’s been struggling behaviorally, emotionally, or both, Will is your person. My dog Hank came to him as a genuinely difficult case, and the progress has been remarkable. Will does not just address surface behaviors, he gets to the root of the issue. He has even collaborated with Hank’s veterinarian to make sure his medication is properly equilibrated, understanding that behavior and biology are not separate conversations. That integrative, science-based approach is rare and makes a real difference. Will’s method is thoughtful and effective. He opened my eyes to how much sniffing can help a dog’s nervous system relax, which has been critical to Hank’s progress. The results speak for themselves. Hank is less reactive, handles guests without going off the rails, is far easier to calm down when he gets overstimulated, and the humping situation is significantly more civilized. Will took all of it seriously without judgment and tackled each issue methodically. I’m excited to continue working with Will to help Hank keep making progress.”
Tzivia Masliansky
Case type: Reactivity, guest-related arousal, overstimulation, medication coordination, nervous system regulation
“I cannot recommend Will Bangura enough. My dog struggled with severe fear-based aggression, generalized anxiety, and separation anxiety. After working with several trainers without success, I found Will, and our lives changed completely. His science-based approach and deep understanding of canine behavior made all the difference. Within just a few sessions, my dog became more confident, less reactive, and noticeably calmer. Will taught me how to read my dog’s body language, understand his emotional state, and manage situations that previously triggered fear and anxiety. The fear-based aggression has decreased significantly, and the separation anxiety that once caused daily stress is now manageable. Will’s knowledge, professionalism, and compassion for both dogs and pet parents are exceptional. If you are dealing with aggression, anxiety, fear, or reactivity, I highly recommend working with Will Bangura.”
Dillon Denney
Case type: Fear-based aggression, generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, reactivity
“I cannot thank Will Bangura and Phoenix Dog Training enough for the incredible work they did with my dog, Poolie. Poolie struggled with severe dog aggression, anxiety, and extreme fearfulness. From the very first consultation, Will’s expertise and understanding of canine behavior were obvious. Will created a comprehensive behavior modification plan tailored specifically to Poolie’s needs using evidence-based, force-free methods. He was patient, compassionate, and methodical throughout the entire process. The improvement in Poolie’s confidence, emotional stability, and ability to cope with stressful situations has been remarkable. The personalized sessions were highly effective, and Will’s dedication to our progress never wavered. If you are struggling with dog aggression, fear, anxiety, or serious behavior problems, I highly recommend Will Bangura and Phoenix Dog Training.”
Isaiah Ishmall
Case type: Dog aggression, fearfulness, anxiety, behavior modification
Client experiences reflect individual cases. Outcomes vary depending on case severity, medical contributors, environmental management, family follow-through, and the dog’s individual history. Behavior modification is a clinical process, not a guarantee.
The Phoenix Dog Behaviorist for Severe, Complex Cases
Will Bangura is the professional that veterinarians, dog trainers, and behavior consultants refer to when standard interventions have failed, when bite risk has escalated, when previous training has made things worse, or when rehoming or euthanasia is being discussed as a last resort.
Will Bangura, M.S., CAB-ICB, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FDM, FFCP is Arizona’s only CAB-ICB Certified Canine Behaviorist through International Canine Behaviorists and one of only three professionals in the United States holding this credential. He has more than 35 years of clinical experience working with aggression, anxiety, fear, phobias, reactivity, separation anxiety, compulsive behaviors, and severe behavior cases.
His work combines graduate-level education in psychology, postgraduate education in canine cognition through Harvard University, decades of clinical case experience, expert witness work, public education, published writing, podcast hosting, and force-free behavior modification grounded in evidence-based practice.
Severe and complex cases I take when others cannot:
Dogs with documented bite histories
Dogs that attack visitors or family members
Multi-dog households with intra-pack fighting
Severe leash reactivity, lunging, and screaming on walks
Redirected aggression toward people or other dogs
Cases referred by veterinarians and other trainers
Cases where previous interventions have failed or made things worse
Cases where rehoming or euthanasia is being considered
Panic-level separation anxiety and confinement distress
Fear-based aggression toward strangers, children, or family
Compulsive disorders that interfere with daily life
Resource guarding with bite risk to family or other dogs
Share a few details about what is happening with your dog and we will respond quickly to discuss next steps.
Tell Me About Your Dog.
What kind of training are you looking for?
Evidence-based behavior modification
A Behaviorist Looks Beneath the Behavior to Change the Emotional Response Driving It
Aggression, reactivity, fear, and anxiety are not resolved by suppressing the visible behavior. Real behavior change requires changing the dog’s emotional response to the trigger.
Many dogs stop growling, barking, or lunging temporarily when punished. That does not mean the fear, anxiety, frustration, or defensive arousal has changed. In severe cases, suppressing warning signals can increase risk because the dog appears calmer while the underlying emotional state remains unresolved.
The peer-reviewed evidence is clear. Dogs trained with aversive methods show higher cortisol levels, more stress-related behaviors during and after training, lower welfare scores, and poorer long-term outcomes compared to dogs trained with reward-based methods (Vieira de Castro et al. 2020, Casey et al. 2021, China, Mills, and Cooper 2020).
Will’s behavior modification plans use systematic desensitization, counterconditioning, environmental management, skill building, reinforcement-based training, and progress tracking. The goal is not forced compliance. The goal is safer behavior because the dog is learning to feel and respond differently.
Core clinical principles
Keep the dog below threshold whenever possible.
Change the dog’s underlying emotional response through counterconditioning.
Use controlled, gradual exposure instead of flooding.
Prevent rehearsal of dangerous or escalating behavior.
Teach alternative behaviors the dog can perform under stress.
Address arousal regulation and nervous system recovery, not just outward behavior.
Arrange the environment so the dog can succeed before problems occur.
Work at the dog’s pace rather than forcing a human timeline.
Track progress with clear, observable behavioral criteria.
Reduce cumulative stress through decompression, enrichment, predictable routines, adequate rest, and management.
Recognize body language and early stress signals before escalation occurs.
Prioritize safety while avoiding methods that rely on fear, pain, intimidation, or behavioral suppression.
Coordinate with veterinarians when medical, pain-related, or medication support may be needed.
Build the family’s coaching skills so progress is sustained.
Protect trust, safety, and the dog-human relationship throughout behavior modification.
From the clinic, in Will’s voice
Seven Clinical Truths About Severe Behavior Cases
After 35 years of clinical work with aggression, anxiety, fear, and severe behavior problems, certain patterns repeat. These are the things every pet parent considering a behaviorist should know.
1. Aggression is rarely about dominance
Most aggression I see in Phoenix is rooted in fear, anxiety, frustration, pain, or learned defensive arousal. Calling it dominance has misled families and trainers for decades. The treatment matches the actual cause, not the outdated label.
2. The stubborn dog is usually the conflicted dog
When a dog ignores cues, freezes, or refuses to engage, the family often hears that the dog is willful. More often, the dog is conflicted, anxious, overstimulated, or in pain. Effective behavior modification reads the emotional state first.
3. Flooding is one of the most common mistakes
Forcing a fearful dog to face its trigger without escape rarely teaches the dog that the trigger is safe. It teaches the dog that resistance is futile. Real treatment uses sub-threshold exposure and emotional change, not forced confrontation.
4. Obedience does not fix behavior problems
A dog can sit, stay, heel, and come on command and still bite a visitor, attack another dog, or panic when left alone. Skills do not change emotions. Behavior modification works at the emotional layer underneath the visible behavior.
5. Warning signals are the dog asking for help
Growling, freezing, hard staring, lip licking, whale eye. These are communication. Punishing them does not change how the dog feels. It only removes the dog’s ability to warn before escalating. In severe cases that escalation is a bite.
6. Even severe cases improve more often than families expect
The dog that was supposed to be euthanized. The household where two dogs cannot be in the same room. The panic-level separation anxiety. With accurate assessment, the right plan, and a family that can follow through, many severe cases have meaningful room for improvement when the plan is accurate, humane, and consistently implemented.
7. Consistency matters more than intensity
The instinct, when the behavior is dangerous or distressing, is to fix it fast and hard. This is exactly backward. Behavior modification works on the dog’s nervous system timeline. Slow, consistent, patient work produces more durable change than fast, hard, intense work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring a Dog Behaviorist in Phoenix
What does a dog behaviorist do?A dog behaviorist evaluates and treats the emotional, environmental, medical, developmental, and learning-history factors driving complex canine behavior problems. The work involves clinical behavior assessment, behavior modification planning, family coaching, and ongoing progress tracking. A certified canine behaviorist is the appropriate professional for dog aggression, dog anxiety, fear, phobias, separation anxiety, leash reactivity, and dogs fighting in the home.
What is the difference between a dog trainer and a dog behaviorist?A dog trainer teaches skills such as sit, stay, recall, leash walking, and manners. A dog behaviorist evaluates and treats complex behavior problems such as aggression, anxiety, fear, phobias, separation anxiety, resource guarding, and dogs fighting in the home. The behaviorist works at the emotional and learning layer underneath the visible behavior, not just the visible symptom.
When should I hire a dog behaviorist?Hire a dog behaviorist when there is aggression, bite risk, severe fear or panic, separation anxiety, leash reactivity, dogs fighting in the home, compulsive behavior, or previous training that has not solved the problem or has made it worse. If the issue involves your dog’s emotional state or family safety, you need a behaviorist, not a trainer.
How do I find a certified dog behaviorist in Phoenix?Look for verifiable independent credentials. Relevant independent credentials include CAB-ICB through International Canine Behaviorists, CBCC-KA through CCPDT, CPDT-KA through CCPDT, FFCP through Fear Free, FDM through Family Dog Mediation, and DACVB for veterinary behaviorists. Anyone can call themselves a behaviorist, so independent third-party certification matters far more than self-described titles. Will Bangura at Phoenix Dog Training holds CAB-ICB, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FDM, and FFCP credentials and is the highest credentialed non-veterinary canine behavior professional in Arizona.
Can a dog behaviorist help with aggression?Yes. Dog aggression is one of the primary clinical specialties of a certified canine behaviorist. Treatment uses systematic desensitization, counterconditioning, environmental management, and structured training to change the underlying emotional drivers, rather than suppressing visible warning signals. For an in-depth look at the work, see our dog aggression training in Phoenix page.
Can a dog behaviorist help with anxiety?Yes. Anxiety, fear, and phobias are core clinical specialties. Treatment builds the dog’s confidence through gradual sub-threshold exposure paired with high-value reinforcement, supported by environmental adjustments that reduce overall stress load. See our dog anxiety training in Phoenix page for the methodology.
Can a dog behaviorist help with dogs fighting in the same home?Yes. Intra-household conflict is one of the most complex and emotionally difficult case types. Treatment involves separation protocols, individual behavior modification for each dog, identification of the conflict triggers, environmental management, and a structured reintroduction protocol when appropriate. Some households can be safely reunited; others require ongoing management. Accurate assessment determines the path.
Can a dog behaviorist help with leash reactivity?Yes. Leash reactivity (lunging, barking, screaming, pulling at triggers on walks) is one of the most common reasons families contact a behaviorist. Treatment changes the underlying emotional response to the trigger through structured exposure work at sub-threshold distance, combined with handling techniques that prevent rehearsal of the reactive pattern. See reactive dog training in Phoenix.
Can a dog behaviorist help with separation anxiety?Yes. Separation anxiety is a panic disorder, not a training issue. Treatment uses systematic desensitization to absence, starting below the dog’s panic threshold and building duration gradually based on observable calm behavior during absences. See our separation anxiety treatment for dogs page.
Can an aggressive dog really change?Many aggressive dogs improve significantly with proper assessment, management, systematic desensitization, counterconditioning, environmental changes, and consistent implementation. Prognosis depends on severity, bite history, triggers, medical factors, and the family’s ability to follow the plan. Many severe cases have meaningful room for improvement when the plan is accurate, humane, and consistently implemented.
What credentials should a dog behaviorist have?The dog training industry is unregulated, so credentials matter. Look for independent third-party certification or recognized professional credentials such as CAB-ICB through International Canine Behaviorists, CBCC-KA through CCPDT, CPDT-KA through CCPDT, FFCP through Fear Free, FDM through Family Dog Mediation, or DACVB for veterinary behaviorists. A graduate degree in psychology, animal behavior, or a related field strengthens the credential set. Avoid practitioners whose only credential is their own brand or self-description.
Is Will Bangura a certified dog behaviorist?Yes. Will Bangura is Arizona’s only CAB-ICB Certified Canine Behaviorist through International Canine Behaviorists and one of only three professionals holding this credential in the United States. He also holds CBCC-KA and CPDT-KA through CCPDT, FDM through Kim Brophey’s Family Dog Mediation program, and FFCP through Fear Free, alongside a Master of Science in Psychology and postgraduate education in canine cognition through Harvard University. See the Will Bangura dog behaviorist bio for the full background.
Do you use shock collars, prong collars, or punishment?No. Phoenix Dog Training is exclusively force-free. We use systematic desensitization, counterconditioning, and positive reinforcement methods supported by peer-reviewed evidence. Aversive methods can suppress visible behavior while leaving the underlying emotional state unchanged, which can increase bite risk in severe cases.
Do you offer in-home behavior consultations in Phoenix?Yes. In-home behavior consultations are available throughout the Phoenix Metro area, including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Paradise Valley, Ahwatukee, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek, Glendale, and Peoria. In-home consultations allow the behaviorist to observe the dog in the actual environment where the behavior occurs.
Do you offer virtual dog behavior consultations?Yes. Virtual behavior consultations are available nationwide and worldwide. Many aggression, anxiety, fear, reactivity, and separation anxiety cases can be assessed and coached effectively through structured virtual sessions, often with results equivalent to in-person work.
Do you work with veterinarians?Yes. We coordinate with primary care veterinarians on medical rule-outs and behavior cases that may require medication. For cases requiring prescription pharmacology specifically for behavior, we refer to veterinary behaviorists and continue the behavior modification work in parallel.
How long does behavior modification take?Most behavior modification plans run anywhere from 8 to 24 weeks depending on case complexity, severity, and how consistently the family can implement the plan. Severe aggression or panic-level anxiety cases generally need more time. Mild cases often resolve faster. Behavior modification works on the dog’s nervous system timeline, not the family’s emotional timeline.
What happens during a behavior consultation?The consultation begins with a detailed history, assessment of the dog’s emotional state and triggers, evaluation of the environment and any safety factors, and development of a customized behavior modification plan. You leave with concrete next steps, exercises to practice, and a clear understanding of what changes to make in your home.
What if previous training made my dog worse?This is one of the most common reasons families contact a certified canine behaviorist. Aversive training methods (shock, prong, leash corrections, intimidation) can suppress visible warning signals while leaving the underlying fear or anxiety in place, which often increases bite risk. The starting point is an honest reassessment, followed by force-free behavior modification that addresses the actual emotional driver of the behavior.
What cities near Phoenix do you serve?In-home behavior consultations are available throughout the Phoenix Metro area: Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Paradise Valley, Ahwatukee, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek, Glendale, and Peoria. Virtual consultations are available nationwide and worldwide for families outside the Phoenix Metro area.
Specialized service clusters
Behavior Modification Services in Phoenix
Each service below is a clinical specialty grounded in evidence-based behavior modification. Internal links lead to deeper resources on each service.
Dog Aggression Training Phoenix
For dogs who growl, snap, bite, lunge, guard resources, attack other dogs, or show defensive aggression toward people. Force-free, science-based behavior modification.
Dog aggression page
Dog Anxiety Training Phoenix
For dogs with generalized anxiety, chronic stress, fear of people, environmental fear, panic, or poor recovery after stressful events.
Dog anxiety page
Separation Anxiety Treatment
For dogs who panic when alone, vocalize, destroy doors or crates, self-injure, or cannot tolerate departures.
Separation anxiety page
Reactive Dog Training Phoenix
For dogs who bark, lunge, scream, pull, or lose control around dogs, people, vehicles, bikes, or other triggers.
Reactive dog page
Fear-Based Dog Aggression
For dogs whose aggression is driven by fear, defensive arousal, avoidance, trauma history, or repeated triggering.
Fear-based aggression page
Behavior Modification Methodology
Comprehensive behavior modification for the most complex cases, combining desensitization, counterconditioning, environmental management, and structured training.
Behavior modification page
Will Bangura, M.S.CAB-ICB, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FDM, FFCP
Will Bangura is a Certified Canine Behaviorist, Applied Ethologist, and behavior consultant specializing in severe dog aggression, reactivity, anxiety, fear, phobias, separation anxiety, and complex canine behavior problems. With more than 35 years of experience, he works with pet parents throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area and worldwide through virtual behavior consultations.
Will is Arizona’s only CAB-ICB Certified Canine Behaviorist through International Canine Behaviorists, and one of only three professionals in the United States to hold this credential. He holds a Master of Science degree in Psychology and completed postgraduate studies in canine cognition through Harvard University.
In addition to his behaviorist credentials, Will is certified through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) as both a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA) and Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). He is also a Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP) and certified in Applied Ethology through Kim Brophey’s Family Dog Mediation (FDM) program.
Will is the founder of Phoenix Dog Training, host of the Dog Training Today podcast, published author, public speaker, and expert witness in dog behavior and aggression cases. His work focuses on evidence-based, force-free behavior modification that addresses the underlying emotional causes of canine behavior problems rather than simply suppressing behavior through punishment.
Educational videos and case discussions on dog aggression, reactivity, fear, and how evidence-based, force-free behavior modification actually works.
Severe Aggression Case: A Different Path Forward
A severe aggression case showing how force-free behavior modification can help create a safer, more hopeful path forward.
Severe Aggression: Virtual Behavior Success
Aggression toward the pet parent and a serious bite history made worse by a balanced trainer using aversive tools. Treated entirely through virtual behavior consultations using force-free counterconditioning and desensitization. The case shows how careful virtual coaching, counterconditioning, and desensitization can help families work through serious aggression concerns.
Fear, Not Dominance: Dog Aggression Toward People Explained
When a dog growls at visitors, barks at strangers, lunges, snaps, or bites, the goal is not to suppress the warning signs. It is to understand the emotional state driving the behavior and change that emotional response through evidence-based behavior modification. This video explains fear-based aggression, stranger-directed aggression, and why punishment can make serious behavior problems worse.
Dog Aggression and Reactive Dog Training in Phoenix: Behavior Modification vs Corrections
Will Bangura, M.S., explains the difference between real behavior modification and correction-based training. Stopping a visible behavior is not the same as resolving the fear, anxiety, stress, or perceived threat underneath it. This video covers why a quiet dog can still be unsafe, how aversive methods can worsen fear-based aggression and reactivity, and how counterconditioning and desensitization change the emotional response driving the behavior.
Authority signals
Will Bangura in the Media
Recognized nationally as an authority on canine behavior, force-free methodology, and applied behavior science.
Podcast Host
Host of Dog Training Today, a podcast on canine behavior, force-free training, and applied behavior science.
Listen to the podcast
Published Author
Author of Sniff to Soothe and contributing writer on canine behavior, aggression treatment, and ethical training methods.
Sniff to Soothe
Expert Witness
Retained as an expert witness in dog bite cases, behavior assessments, and litigation involving canine behavior questions.
Public Advocate
Public advocate for force-free training and against the use of aversive equipment. Author of position papers on aversive dog training methods.
Read position papers
There is a path forward
Get Expert Help for Your Dog’s Behavior
If your dog is struggling with aggression, anxiety, fear, separation anxiety, leash reactivity, dogs fighting in the home, or another serious behavior problem, the next step is a careful behavior consultation with a qualified specialist. Phoenix Metro in-home and virtual nationwide.
Dog Behaviorist Serving Phoenix and the Metro Area
In-home behavior consultations available throughout the Phoenix Metro area. Virtual consultations available nationwide and worldwide for aggression, anxiety, fear, separation anxiety, leash reactivity, and related behavior concerns.
Many dogs stop growling, barking, or lunging temporarily when punished. That does not mean the fear, anxiety, frustration, or defensive arousal has changed. In severe cases, suppressing warning signals can increase risk because the dog appears calmer while the underlying emotional state remains unresolved.
The peer-reviewed evidence is clear. Dogs trained with aversive methods show higher cortisol levels, more stress-related behaviors during and after training, lower welfare scores, and poorer long-term outcomes compared to dogs trained with reward-based methods (Vieira de Castro et al. 2020, Casey et al. 2021, China, Mills, and Cooper 2020).
Will’s behavior modification plans use systematic desensitization, counterconditioning, environmental management, skill building, reinforcement-based training, and progress tracking. The goal is not forced compliance. The goal is safer behavior because the dog is learning to feel and respond differently.
Many dogs stop growling, barking, or lunging temporarily when punished. That does not mean the fear, anxiety, frustration, or defensive arousal has changed. In severe cases, suppressing warning signals can increase risk because the dog appears calmer while the underlying emotional state remains unresolved.
The peer-reviewed evidence is clear. Dogs trained with aversive methods show higher cortisol levels, more stress-related behaviors during and after training, lower welfare scores, and poorer long-term outcomes compared to dogs trained with reward-based methods (Vieira de Castro et al. 2020, Casey et al. 2021, China, Mills, and Cooper 2020).
Will’s behavior modification plans use systematic desensitization, counterconditioning, environmental management, skill building, reinforcement-based training, and progress tracking. The goal is not forced compliance. The goal is safer behavior because the dog is learning to feel and respond differently.
