Transform Your Dog's Behavior by
Meeting Their True Needs
Is your dog exhibiting behavior problems like excessive barking, pulling on leash, or reactivity? These behaviors are often symptoms of unmet needs. Forrest School addresses the root cause through our proven three-pillar approach.
The Forrest School Approach
What is Forrest School?
Our comprehensive three-pillar system addresses your dog's fundamental needs, creating lasting behavioral transformation through nature, social connection, and skill development.
Nature & Movement
Modern dogs living indoors develop behavioral issues from unmet needs for exploration and movement. Regular off-leash hiking in nature provides the freedom and sensory experiences dogs evolved to need. When these fundamental needs are met, dogs enter a mindset that allows new learning to take place and behavior challenges to naturally resolve as dogs discover healthy outlets for their energy and instincts.
Social Development
Forrest School maintains small, consistent groups where dogs form genuine friendships. Your dog is with the same carefully selected companions week after week, building trust and learning appropriate boundaries within a stable pack. This predictable social structure allows anxious or reactive dogs to truly relax and develop confidence through deep, ongoing relationships.
Expert Guidance and Support
Professional trainers guide both dogs and families through clear communication and life skills training, ensuring your dog's new behaviors transfer seamlessly from Forest School to home and real-world situations. Through structured skill development and ongoing coaching, dogs and their families master essential communication while strengthening family bonds.
From Struggle to Success
We know what it's like: The walks that feel like battles. The embarrassment and frustration when your dog reacts to another dog. The exhaustion from trying everything yet still feeling stuck. Maybe you avoid certain routes, decline social invitations, or wonder if you're failing your best friend. These aren't character flaws in you or your dog—they're signs of unmet needs and miscommunication. When you join the Forrest School family, you gain not only a well-adjusted dog but also a lifetime of professional and community support for your journey together.
What Problems Does Forrest School Address?
Whether you're being proactive or feeling overwhelmed by current challenges, we meet both you and your dog exactly where you are—without judgment, with understanding
Starting Fresh? Prevent Problems Before They Begin
Be proactive with your new puppy or recently adopted dog. Forrest School builds the right foundation from day one, helping you avoid reactivity, anxiety, and behavioral challenges entirely. The earlier you start, the easier the journey.
Reactivity & Excessive Barking
Your dog isn't being difficult—they're overwhelmed. And you're probably overwhelmed too. We'll help them find calm confidence around triggers that currently cause outbursts, while giving you the tools and understanding to feel confident again on walks.
Separation Anxiety & Destruction
Home alone shouldn't mean panic. We address the root cause of your dog's distress, creating security and independence.
Pulling & Poor Leash Manners
Being strapped to a human isn't inherently fun or understandable for a dog and this often leads to pulling, barking, and lunging behaviors. We teach dogs how to cooperate with the leash for when it is needed which is made so much easier by meeting their needs through off leash time in nature.
Can't Settle or Focus
Constant motion isn't defiance—it's an unmet need for meaningful activity. We know how draining it is to live with a dog who never seems to rest. Many dogs labeled "hyper" or "anxious" are simply understimulated in body and mind. Forrest School channels that energy through nature exploration with friends and engaging challenges, creating dogs who can truly relax because their needs are genuinely satisfied.
Not seeing your specific challenge listed?
Every dog is unique, and behaviors like resource guarding, fearfulness, hypervigilance, or difficulty with handling and grooming are all symptoms of underlying needs we can address. During your discovery call, we'll discuss your dog's individual story and create a path forward that honors their unique L.E.G.S. (Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self).
Timeline: Your Forrest School Journey
A proven path from behavioral challenges to confident, off-leash adventures
Discovery Call
We discuss your dog's specific challenges and determine if Forrest School is the right fit for your family.
Intake Assessment
Comprehensive behavioral evaluation in your home environment to develop your dog's L.E.G.S. profile and create a customized training plan.
Forrest School Program
Comprehensive training program combining group socialization, private lessons, and off-leash skill development. Your program is 100% customized to your dog's specific needs.
Graduation & Alumni Community
Celebrate your dog's mastery of essential life skills and join our thriving alumni community for continued growth and connection.
Ready to Start Your Dog's Transformation?
Join a community that understands: your dog isn't giving
you a hard time, they're having
a hard time
Training Philosophy
We teach all skills using positive reinforcement with food and play. Our approach is relationship-focused with lots of engagement built in, emphasizing fun and connection while building the communication foundation your dog needs to succeed.
Equally important is educating you as dog parents. We help you understand WHY your dog behaves the way they do through the L.E.G.S. framework (Learning, Environment, Genetics, Self). This means moving beyond thinking of your dog as just a "pet" to understanding them as an intelligent animal with natural needs for movement, social connection, and mental stimulation. When families understand their dog's individual needs and become active partners in the process, both dogs and humans thrive together.
Once dogs have mastered essential skills, we often add a remote training collar (e-collar) to provide optimal quality of life and freedom of movement for safe off-leash adventures. This communication tool gives dogs clarity at distance and enables the off-leash freedom they naturally crave.
Success Stories
Real Transformations
See how Forrest School has changed the lives of dogs and their families
Fitz's Story
From Desperate to Delightful
Extreme leash pulling, obsessive water behavior, wouldn't recall, body-checked people for balls, fixated on birds/planes
Hikes off-leash with reliable recall, enjoys swimming with control, lower arousal in nature, fully integrated into family adventures
"Forrest School helped Fitz slow down and just DOG. He's been living a full life, enjoying going places with his family and experiencing all the benefits of off leash hiking and his favorite activity, swimming!" — Fitz's Family
Cali's Journey
From Anxious to Confident
Fighting at daycare, reactive and pulling on leash, constant panting/pacing, extreme vet/groomer anxiety, generalized anxiety
Happy in her social group, walks nicely on leash, relaxes at home, vacations well with family, manages transitions calmly
"The social environment at Forrest School taught Cali that humans can manage situations and she didn't have to. She learned which things are NOT her job." — Cali's mom
Is Forrest School Right for Your Family?
Perfect Fit
- You see your dog as a family member, not just a pet
- You want to understand WHY your dog behaves the way they do
- You're willing to be actively involved in the training process
- You want your dog to enjoy off-leash freedom safely
- You're open to learning new approaches and tools
- You have the physical and financial ability to invest in the process
Not the Right Fit
- You want someone to "fix" your dog without your involvement
- You're looking for a quick solution without lifestyle changes
- You're opposed to clear boundaries and structure
- You're unwilling to consider modern training tools like remote collars
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my dog is ready for group training?
Our assessment process determines your dog's readiness. Most dogs benefit from the social aspect, but we ensure safety first.
Do you use shock collars?
We use modern remote training collars (often called e-collars) that provide gentle, clear communication. These tools are introduced only after positive training and enable the off-leash freedom most dogs crave.
How long will it take my dog to graduate?
Graduation is skills-based, not time-based. We work with each dog until they master the essential skills for safety and confidence. Starting price is based on the shortest time for most dogs which is two months.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Schedule your FREE 15-minute Discovery Call
No obligation • Expert advice • Personalized recommendations
In your free 15-minute call, we'll discuss:
- Your dog's specific behavioral challenges
- Whether Forrest School is the right fit
- Your personalized path to success