Expert Canine: Behavior & Training

The Fearful Dogs Project offers individualized behavior consultations and private training sessions delivered remotely via Zoom or in-person locally through drop-off or outdoor sessions. Programs are structured around step-by-step protocols for fear abatement, reactivity, separation anxiety, and puppy socialization. Clients receive personalized guidance, video feedback, and ongoing support. The organization also offers a structured online course for extreme fear in dogs, designed for pet owners, shelter staff, and professionals seeking to build expertise in working with fearful dogs.

Pricing Summary

Fees are paid directly to the nonprofit Protect Them All. Specific pricing not listed publicly; interested clients must contact via email or phone for rates and package details.

Policies

Client communication is prioritized via phone due to email bounce-backs. Sessions are tailored to client schedules, with Rain Jordan often providing after-hours support. No explicit cancellation or rescheduling policy is stated, but responsiveness and flexibility are emphasized in testimonials.

Expert Canine: Behavior & Training, now operating as The Fearful Dogs Project under the nonprofit Protect Them All, provides expert, fear-free, and aversive-free dog behavior consulting and training services. Led by Rain Jordan, a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA), Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), and Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), the program specializes in helping fearful, anxious, reactive, and traumatized dogs—including rescue, shelter, and feralized dogs—through positive, science-based methods. Services are delivered via one-to-one video sessions (Zoom), with local options including outdoor or drop-off sessions. The program emphasizes anti-aversive, force-free, and pain-free training, avoiding all shock collars, prong collars, choke chains, intimidation, or physical corrections. Training focuses on building trust, emotional safety, and long-term behavior change through cooperative handling, desensitization, and counterconditioning. The Fearful Dogs Project also offers educational courses, scholarships, and resources for pet owners, shelters, and professionals seeking to improve outcomes for fearful dogs.

The organization is dedicated to humane, evidence-based practices and has developed widely respected protocols for fear abatement. Services are available nationwide and internationally via video, with no in-home services currently offered post-pandemic. Fees support the nonprofit mission, and all training is tailored to the dog’s emotional needs and the owner’s lifestyle.

Rain Jordan holds an M.F.A., has over 15 years of teaching experience, and is the author of acclaimed books like “Such Small Hands: An Anti-Aversives Primer” and “The Dog Who Couldn’t Be Petted,” recommended by The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center. She is a former professional member of the Pet Professional Guild and has contributed research on learned helplessness in greyhounds. The Fearful Dogs Project is not currently renewing certifications with CCPDT due to policy concerns.

Accomplishments

Rain Jordan is a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA), Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), and Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP). She holds an M.F.A., has over 15 years of experience teaching and training, and authored two acclaimed books on anti-aversive training recommended by The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center. She wrote the first essay on learned helplessness in racing greyhounds and developed widely used fear abatement protocols. The Fearful Dogs Project received a research grant from Maddie’s Fund and has successfully helped thousands of fearful dogs since 2007.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must contact The Fearful Dogs Project via phone or email to describe the services they are seeking (behavior consultation, private lessons, or other). After initial contact, a personalized plan is developed, and sessions are scheduled remotely via Zoom or locally via drop-off/outdoor options.