"MAKE A CONNECTION BEFORE YOU GIVE A DIRECTION"

FOR HUMAN DIRECTED AGGRESIVE CASES INITIAL ASSESSMENT IS OVER ZOOM

 SPECIALIZING IN BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION Aggression/reactivity to people, children, dogs and or anxiety/fearfulness. Experienced in working with and assessing rescue dogs from the Milo Foundation, West Coast Boxer Rescue, Underdog Rescue in conducting foster/adoption placement assessments. Experienced in working with dog guardians in management and prevention strategies to decrease the frequencies and rehearsal of undesirable behaviors. Careful systematic desensitization requires understanding the dog's initial stimulus strength and breaking the provoking stimulus down into small component elements and exposing the dog at lesser approximations before progressing to the end result. 

In-person support in Tiburon, Mill Valley, San Rafael, San Francisco, Napa, Sonoma, Saint Helena and surrounding areas. Animal Training 101. The practical guide to the art and science of behavior modification. Dog Specialization Certificate. Dr. Jenifer Zeligs. On-going mentorship with Dr. Zeligs to further develop a cross-species approach of animal training, behavior, husbandry and to additionally add an advanced certification in behavior modification. Canine Social Behavior Course. (IAABC) Dr. Camille Ward. Certified Family Dog Mediator. Applied Ethology & Family Mediation course. Applied Ethologist. Kim Brophery. Canine Aggression & Anxiety mentorship course. (IAABC) Dr. Camille Ward, Constructional Aggression Treatment (CAT) -A Shaping Program for dogs, cat's, horses and beyond by Dr. Jesus Rosales-Ruiz. 

 Lance's first career was as a loan officer for SRI Mortgage in San Francisco's, Financial District. He later went on to work for Equinox Fitness, LA Fitness, Golds Gym. and 24 Hour Fitness. At 24 Hour Fitness in Memphis, Lance received the state's highest civilian honor by Tennessee Senator, Curtis S. Person with the Aid De Camp Award. Lance was personally recognized by the Tennessee Assembly for his significant contribution and outstanding achievement of finishing #1 in production out of 346 health clubs nationwide. Lance has a big heart and altruistic attitude for creatures who need us, rather four legged or two.

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University of Central Florida: Clinical Psychology 

Santa Rosa Junior College: 

A.S. Physiology 

Football 

Track & Field  

 . 

  PREREQUISITES FOR 180’ADVANCED RECALL TRAINING COURSE:
* Dogs must be people/dog-friendly
* Behavioral Evaluation: We require a behavior assessment before admitting a new dog into our 180 Advanced Recall Training programs.
* Recent Vaccinations/Parasite Prevention.

Please bring to 180 Advanced Recall Training Class:
* Dog bed/mat
* A harness and martingale collar, longline, a couple of extra leashes.
* Gloves (Whenever we handle a long-line lead, a pair of gloves, especially if we get caught out and the line runs through your bare hands, we could receive some nasty friction burns).
* Tug toys
* Small soft training treats, higher value treats.
* We recommend social distancing of 10ft.
* Please bring your own toys/treats to class
* Please bring backpack, water/bowl for your own dog
* One guardian per class.
*Includes plenty of breaks to rest you and your dog throughout the session.

*Small groups (Maximum 2 dogs) so you and your dog receive quality time with our training team Lance & intern trainer, Stephanie
* Set your dog up for recall success by learning how to layer training steps when recalling away from difficult distractions and provoking stimuli.

Cost:
$600.00 per dog/handler team
 

"My husband and I were extremely concerned with our Australian Kelpie being off-leash and running away, until we met Lance. He changed everything!"   

Eric & Carainne L 

Business Developer & Teacher 

Fairfax, West Marin 

SEPARATION & FRUSTRATION OF DOMESTICATION

"Lance was recommended by our rescue adoption coordinator. We loved training with Lance. Our crazy golden puppy is no longer a wild child and extra clingy. Isla's confidence and independence has grown. She has developed life skills, and we have made the appropriate changes within our environment for her to adapt and thrive. Lance worked on the Goldilocks increments approach to build frustration tolerance and treat her SRP's. He really narrowed it down. He identified times during the day with a high probability of vocalization and destructiveness. He worked with us on a choice based positive reinforcement program to reduce those times and by increasing Isla's autonomy and enrichment. Lance guided us to shape positive interactions with scatter feedings, free work, tug and counting games. We used heavy stimulus and voluntary control inside and outside of our home. We increase the degrees of freedoms by creating more agency and pathways to control her world through giving her new tools--active calmness and generalized repertoires. This replaced old tools of barrier frustration and separation of pain. In our absence, we used the most challenging food toys and the best psychoacoustically arranged classical music, such as the ruffwear gnawt-a-rock treat dispenser and Lisa Spector's solo piano sounds. Lance added a thunder shirt for a swaddling effect and put up a baby gate to block the kitchen. This provided Isla with a safe haven within our living room setting. Lance's hybrid approach deactivated her attachment system and significantly reduced her vexation. Isla no longer redecorates our home, barks with frustrations or counter surfs. Thanks to Lance, and his positive and preventive techniques. It's true, when you trust the process, it works!" 

Debbie W

Medical Sales 

Walnut Creek, East bay 

Shelties (Atticus) often have genetic tendency towards being reserved and emotionally sensitive to their environments.  Treatment involved gradual desensitization and counterconditioning to help Atticus build trusting relationships and positive associations to reduce his fears and phobias. CBDDT incrementally shaped and proofed a rapid recall from the tennis courts of Pioneer Park to the highest stimuli trails of Pacheco Valle. Connection Before Direction Dog Training, didn't just built solid foundational behaviors, but additionally built social confidence through compassionate and evidenced based methods and perfectly paired playmates.  

 PhD. Deborah C 

 M.D. Bruce C

San Marin, Novato

TRIGGERED TO TRANQUILITY

Lance is the best kept secret! He is not on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, or social media. He is very private and unequivocally like anyone that you will ever meet. I met him at the Bounty Hunter Wine Bar and I found Lance so easy to talk to. He listened intently and provided effective feedback. He was an active participant and engaged learner from start to finish. We had repeated texts, calls, zooms and in-person lessons for two months. This made our process so personal and helpful. 

 Lance helped me create positive training environments that facilitated effective learning through tiny manageable steps. He knows his ABA fundamentals, and he provided me with the education on how to apply the ABC model. He instructed me how to identify triggers before Abby gets set off and how to avoid or change the antecedent to prevent an over-the-top reaction. He influenced me how to work under Abby's threshold, so she doesn't lunge forward and bark at skateboarders or dogs. He taught Abby and I how to have a split focused resilience between the trigger and myself and how to predictably work together to regulate our nervous systems.  Lance motivated me how apply the techniques to work at the edge of the bubble, where she is aware but not stressed to accept jackpots for functionally equivalent behaviors. 

Lance is a behavior technician in everything he does. He educated me on how to read and reward Abby's subtle body language, soft eyes, and sweeping tail wag with tasty treats and cheerful praise. Beyond improving my observational and mechanical skills, we made several small behavioral adjustments that led to substantial behavior shifts. His passion ignited my own drive to build joint attention and confidence without feeling overwhelmed. From far and moderate distance to close proximity, we surmounted challenging behaviors through positive behavior support. We minimized the reinforcement of problem behaviors through response prevention, and we maximized the reinforcement with a variety of replacement behaviors through response substitution. This was a major confidence booster, and Lance made sure I linked our successful outcome with instant positive reinforcement. Positive emotions shapes habits faster through celebrating wins immediately after the desirable behavior occurs.     

We couldn't have attained this optimal co-regulation state without CBDDT education. He taught me how to me how to apply the bubble theory and learning theory in every interaction. In front of Lance and his decoy white boxer puppy and assistant, I exhibited handler dexterity and adroitness in executing how to stay within Abby's personal space and comfort zone. Lance praised my progress, but made sure I was gradually shrinking the bubble, by working outside of Abbys threshold to foster trust and voluntary compliance through gradual exposures. He made sure new behavior patterns were sticking and stacking. Most importantly, he made sure Abby could happily transfer her new emotional regulating skills with cross-contextualization.  

At times we took breaks to prevent sensory overload and handler frustrations. We lowered the criteria and switched up our context dependence and reward systems to motivate wanted behaviors. Lance made the necessary changes that were so small, they were too small to fail. Environmental restructuring and higher rates of reinforcement is a game changer through the unexpected turns of sudden environmental contrast. Lance encouraged patience and builds momentum. I can't emphasize this enough, but starting small with slow sustainable steps creates automaticity and lasting changes. When Lance raised the criteria, it was because he was making sure, I was attuned with Abbys learning patterns and behavioral patterns through my own critical thinking patterns. Through predictive analysis and matching motivations, I methodically moved Abby's threshold and ensured triggers (e.g., other dogs and skateboarders) remained in the green zone. We learned to stay composed with predictable sequences and pattern games. I modified the reactions to Abby's aggressive behaviors, by changing her emotional responses that triggered her fear and anxiety.  

Abby and I built paranoic and bubble awareness through practicing his stop-and-wait and approach-and-retreat exercises. Lance helped in expanding my peripheral awareness and in moderating our emotional surge. I really appreciated how often we took breaks and changed our scenery to let Abby and I decompress and reset. He has a wonderful way with managing the stress of high wired dogs and their peeps. Lance has behavioral intelligence, and he has added a tremendous amount of accuracy, influence, prediction and compassion to our lives. He has talked me through my worries and helped me navigate traumas together with absolute optimism and relaxed confidence. Abby no longer lunges and barks at dogs and skateboarders anymore. We enjoy our walks together with generality. I can now take Abby to cafe's, bars, restaurants, markets, and our local parks. Several of my neighbors and friends have complimented me for our change in behavior.  If you're thinking about training your reactive dog, don't hesitate to go with Lance. He is really good at alleviating discomfort and creating environments that provide optimal animal welfare," 

Meagan L

(NP) Nurse Practitioner

Napa Valley    

"Lance is a play expert. He has incredible anticipation in managing and motivating play groups. I have used his services for training, socialization and boarding. Additionally, my parents used his services for over six years."

M.D. Melissa P

Belvedere, Tiburon  

"I have seen a marked improvement in Daisy & Butter. They can't wait to go out with Lance - grabbing the leashes and ready to go! My Labs have stayed with him overnight and get treated like dog royalty with tempur-pedic beds and beach runs!" 

Jena W 

Attorney, SF

Belvedere, Tiburon 

"Luna was so excited about her playdates. She was so happy after spending time with you and her friends."  

M.D. Julie W 

Dermatologist, Bon Air Center

Belvedere, Tiburon

FOUNDER OF ROCKET RECALL TRAINING SCHOOL 

& PLAY PARTNERS PROGRAM

(RRTS & PPP) specializes in advanced fundamentals, polite social play and vigorous and safe exercise for dogs from Mill Valley to Sonoma Valley. Qualified, clinical, experienced, and effective behavior support.

IN DYADIC (TWO-DOG) PLAY, COOPERATION-RELEVANT TRAITS

"My veterinarian strongly suggested to reach out to Lance with CBDDT.

Lance is a wonderful educator and influencer. He puts real passion and precision in every dog he trains and socializes, such as my shy Ridgeback, Roc. Lance is very talented at introducing and matching dogs in play groups. He has an unusual ability to work a variety of dogs in a variety of contexts. Lance also provided me with an opportunity to ask specific questions about my daughter's dogs and get his recommendations and suggested solutions for the problems. He didn't just explain the techniques, but he helped us both understand why they work. Roc and I are so happy that we found him." 

RN Carole C

Traveling Nurse 

Marin General Hospital

Greenbrae, CA 

Chattanooga, TN

 "Without Lance's professional guidance, it's very unlikely that I would still have my Pit Bull Great Dane Rescue." 

  Nathan M 

Software Engineer

 Sausalito

 "I have been a foster mom for over 100 homeless rescues. I've connected with many dog experts in northern California. One expert that has been a valuable resource is Lance Santino from Mill Valley, Pacheco Valle, Sonoma Valley and Green Valley. He collaborates with new fosters and adopters in Marin, Napa and Solano Counties. He is quite simply, as good as it gets. He has a natural affinity with dogs who have well-being issues. He is a stress resilience expert and teaches dogs and owners how to regulate their emotions in various situations. He specializes in socializing shy dogs with fear memories. He is gifted in overcoming trauma and building sociability in dogs from puppy mills, backyard breeders, hoarding, shelters, and rescues. What inspires me about Lance is that he doesn't get caught up in the labels of behavior, and he doesn’t apply breed-based stereotypes. Lance is not a breedist and he doesn't discriminate against certain breeds. He never blames the dog or shoots the messenger. He clearly understands there is a combination effect to aggressive behaviors. It's multifactorial and it's not mono-causal. It's not one single inherent personality trait. Human and canine aggression can be rooted in a complexity of underline issues, such as genetic predisposition, prenatal stress, musculoskeletal pain, hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, neurological conditions, cognitive dysfunction, aversive training, resource guarding, environmental factors, inexperienced handlers, displayed anger, situational stacking, noise phobias, emotional states, fear, anxiety, frustration and a lack of early socialization to dogs and people. It's not one behavior. It's not one trigger. Multiple symptoms can often compound each other to create the manifestation of aggressive behaviors. With an integrated approach, these complex symptoms can be either treatable manageable or treatable rehabilitable. Lance has great instincts in being able to recognize the pre-warning signs. He believes that early intervention is a worthwhile investment to permanently change behaviors, change perceptions, change emotional states, and change response to triggers. I have seen him working a lot of dogs on my property. Lance has strong intuition and scientific perspective in reading and interpreting human and canine body language. He is great at explaining and teaching emotional centered coping and reinforcing prosocial behaviors. He embraces the present moment with a non-judgmental acceptance, and he effectively monitors and supervises dog-to-dog interactions. He understands that most challenging behaviors are rooted in insecurities and unmet needs. He uses compassionate listening and genuine altruism to get through to new fosters and potential adopters. He doesn't take things personally. He genuinely cares about dogs and owners' welfare. It's evident in his patience and practice. He is cerebral at making the sessions fun and reducing or eliminating events that are perceived to be aversive. Lance uses play-based social learning to deepen dog owner relationships. For over four years, he has helped me match homeless dogs with suitable homes and stable families. He has assisted me in providing the best placements. As a result, we have worked together to create long lasting adoptions."

Betty F

  Novato

Los Altos, Rocklin, SF

Property Flipper & Broker

Kids Animal Rescue Fund

CBDDT SERVICES OFFERED:

Aggressive Behaviors

Leash--Induced Aggression

Reactive Behaviors

Maladaptive Behaviors

Stereotypical Behaviors

Separation Related Behaviors

Relaxation Behaviors

Foundation Behaviors

Canine Social Behaviors

 Play Behaviors

Greeting Behaviors

My Flashy Fawn Boxer, Santino Marco, either escaped or he was abandoned on the streets of San Bernardino, California. He was malnourished with bones protruding out of his body. He had a missing canine tooth, and numerous scars from punctures, all over his body and face. This was the result of him being a bait dog in a fighting ring. He was taken to an animal hospital in critical condition and then to Devore animal shelter —a shelter with very limited resources that has the highest kill rate. 

Within a week, Santino was immediately interjected and proactively picked up by legendary rescue guru, Jackie Snell, and her life saving organization that she founded that has helped saved the lives of thousands and thousands of homeless dogs —West Coast Boxer Rescue. 

Over 250 inquires and applications were submitted to adopt “Luis”, who is now named Santino. His back story was extremely profound and thought provoking. His sweet face and disposition, despite his neonatal, transitional, socialization and testing periods of developmental adversities, was awe inspiring. My off-leash stress resilience training program put us at the top of the list, just like when we adopted his little sister, a young white boxer that actually was homeless on streets of Lancaster, California for weeks. 

Santino’s intervention and behavior support plan, included the what and when’s, management, and prevention, pairing and substituting, engaging and disengaging. Adjustments were made when needed. We aligned his environments for desirable behavior outcomes.  Systematic desensitization (CC/DS) is hard work. We can’t be lackadaisical. Any mistakes we made became discoveries. We used our errors to proceed forward with better awareness. Smaller steps were more transformative. 

We never blame the messenger, which leads to outdated dominant theory strategies. That only suppresses behavior, not changes behavior. Instead, we used learning theories strategies to mitigate, shape and strengthen behaviors. When we changed the context and environment, we changed conditions and behavior. The difference between a confused dog and a thinking dog.

Through Santino’s predictable routine of mental enrichment, reciprocal greetings, appropriate play, and a habitual routine of diet and nutrition, foundations and behavior modification, Santino, climatized and generalized to his new surroundings from nor-cal to so-cal.

When we went on airplanes, he went on airplanes. When we went to resorts, Santino went to resorts. When we asked for upgrades, it was because Santino was present. Don’t get me wrong, we could have left him with licki-mat or frozen kong, bumping Lisa Spector. When we went to dinner, he went to dinner. When we went to breakfast, he went to breakfast. When we sat poolside, he sat poolside.

 Have you ever met Santino Marco! His refinement, poise and charm is on a whole another level. He walks with complete confidence and makes his own choices.  He has liberties to do whatever he wants. This was the reflection of receiving early, safe and secure social bonds from his owners, siblings, friends, kids, deer and other animal's. At his pace of learning, not ours, Santino established the strongest attachment connections and high emotional intelligence. He is not only a well acclimated and well-adjusted dog, but he is a well-trained and well-behaved dog.

I will always believe that pro-active dog owners are better able to assess and redesign the environments for their dogs to successfully adapt, make choices and problem solve with the highest percentage of success. During his early stages of adolescence at around 8, 9 months, Santino started overcoming his shyness and fear and building high levels of self-efficacy and ambiguity tolerance. It’s disrespectful to ever to put a leash on him but he respects leash laws.

 Santino has been to every beach from the SF Bay Area to San Diego, and all throughout Orange County. Surf & Sand Resort upgraded us many of times because staff fell in love with his sweet disposition and sophisticated elegance.  Anything he touches, people, kids, animals or dogs he makes it better. His healing power is truly magical and one-of-a-kind.

At 12 yrs old, Santino, receives cold laser, legend, Adequan, Galliprant, Flexadin. physical therapy, PST, sniff-based enrichment, canine massage and vagal brake exercises. I also ice his osteo hock joint on both sides of his ankle after every play session, no matter our location.  Santino leans into the touch of people and children and shows strong signs of affection, trust, and contact comfort by releasing oxytocin for both of you to feel   interspecies connection and deep love.

Santino Marco has given so much to the world and his surroundings. When he was 1 1/2 yrs old, he did volunteer work and animal therapy at a def children’s school in San Diego. For the last 12years he has been used as my “trainer dog” with all new dogs in my one-on-one and dyadic play programs from Saint Helena to Half Moon Bay. He is the COO of my rocket recall training school program.