POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT | DFW Metroplex
A Professional, Credentialed Dog Training and Behavior Partner
Support for DFW Veterinarians
Wiggle Butt Academy provides credentialed, reward-based dog training and behavior support across Dallas-Fort Worth and virtually. Our training and behavior policy: no shock collars, e-collars, prong collars, choke chains, slip leads, leash corrections, intimidation, or training that relies on fear or pain. Looking for peer guidance? The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior published guidance this month to help clients select a qualified professional training and behavior consultant.
Why the referral choice matters
Dog training is not a regulated profession. Labels such as “positive” or “balanced” do not reliably tell a veterinarian which tools or consequences a trainer will use. A transparent referral partner helps protect patient welfare, preserve the human-animal bond, and reduce the risk that fear, anxiety, or aggression will be worsened by punishment.
Current veterinary guidance is clear:
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AVSAB recommends reward-based methods for all dog training and behavior modification and states that electronic collars, prong collars, choke chains, leash corrections, and other aversive methods should not be used.
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AAHA behavior guidelines oppose aversive techniques and state that prong or choke collars, electronic shock collars, alpha rolls, and other listed tools or methods should not be used to teach or alter behavior.
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ACVB advises veterinarians to refer to qualified reward-based trainers and warns that confrontational or punishment-based approaches may harm patients and increase aggression risk.
Why veterinarians refer to Wiggle Butt Academy
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A written no-aversives policy. We teach with reinforcement, environmental management, clear communication, and humane behavior-change plans. We do not hide tools behind marketing language.
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Specialist matching. Our team includes professionals with advanced education in fear, anxiety, aggression, reactivity, separation anxiety, puppy development, family-dog safety, and everyday manners.
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Context-rich assessment. Behavior cases begin with an in-home consultation when appropriate. We review history and routines, observe without intentionally provoking stressful behavior, and give practical safety and management guidance.
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Respect for veterinary scope. We do not diagnose medical or psychiatric conditions, prescribe, or advise clients to change medication. Sudden behavior change, pain concerns, and medical-rule-out questions go back to the veterinarian.
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A collaborative posture. With the client's permission, we welcome communication with the referring veterinary team and support the treatment plan established by the veterinarian.
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Flexible access. We serve Frisco, Plano, Dallas, Fort Worth, McKinney, Allen, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, and surrounding DFW communities in person, with virtual support available more broadly.
Patients and families we support
Referral need | Examples | Typical WBA support |
|---|---|---|
Early prevention | Puppy socialization, handling, confinement, housetraining, play skills | Private foundations, puppy programs, and appropriate group classes |
Everyday skills | Loose-leash walking, jumping, greetings, recall, settling, household manners | Private coaching, group classes, day training, or tailored programs |
Fear and reactivity | Stranger fear, leash reactivity, barrier frustration, handling sensitivity, fear of the veterinary clinic or groomer | In-home assessment, management, desensitization, counterconditioning, and caregiver coaching |
Aggression and safety | Resource guarding, dog-directed or human-directed aggression, intrahousehold conflict, concerns involving children | Credentialed behavior consultant, safety planning, individualized behavior modification, and escalation when specialty care is indicated |
Separation-related distress | Vocalization, destruction, escape attempts, panic, inability to settle alone | Virtual assessment and graduated alone-time plans with Certified Separation Anxiety Trainers |
Family transitions | New baby or toddler, adoption transition, changing household routines | Family-centered preparation, management, and skill building |
How referrals work
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Refer or share. Use the referral form, email us, call/text 469-444-1474, or give the family this page.
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We screen and match. We review the concern, bite or safety history, location, and preferred format, then match the case to an appropriate WBA professional.
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The family receives a clear first step. Depending on the concern, this may be a private consultation, a puppy or manners program, a group class, or a separation-anxiety assessment.
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We support coordinated care. With client authorization, we welcome relevant veterinary records and communication. Medical diagnosis and prescribing always remain with the veterinary team.
SAFETY AND SPECIALTY CARE WBA is not an emergency or crisis service. Sudden behavior changes, suspected pain or illness, self-injury, severe bites, profound phobias, multiple complex diagnoses, or cases not responding to an appropriate plan may require medical evaluation and/or referral to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist. We will recommend escalation when a case is beyond our scope.
Credentials veterinarians can verify
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Founder and lead behavior consultant Nicole Kohanski publicly lists CTC, CDBC, ADT-IAABC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, Dip CBST, CSAT, Family Dog Mediator, Family Paws Parent Educator, and Elite Fear Free credentials, along with advanced education in aggression, separation anxiety, shelter behavior, the human-animal bond, and animal control.
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Across the WBA team, education and credentials include Master's degrees, PhDs, graduates or certificants from the Academy for Dog Trainers, IAABC, CCPDT, Certified Separation Anxiety Trainers, Fear Free, Victoria Stilwell Academy, Karen Pryor Academy foundations, Family Paws, and other relevant programs.
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Credentials are one part of due diligence. We invite veterinary teams to review our written methods, ask which tools we use, observe an appropriate class when available, and contact us with questions. Click here to learn about the entire team.
A resource for your team and clients
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AVSAB's “How to Choose a Trainer” guide explains why method matters, identifies green and red flags, and encourages families to examine education and credentials. It specifically identifies shock and prong collars, leash jerks, force, dominance language, and “balanced training” as red flags.
Your Behavior & Training Team
Our team holds advanced degrees as well as credentials through the Academy for Dog Trainers, IAABC, CCPDT, Victoria Stillwell Academy and Fear Free. We'll match your client to the consultant whose background fits their dog's situation — not whoever happens to be free.
Please verify our credentials. Choosing the right professional for your client is a genuinely important decision, and we'd rather you check. Below find a partial consultant list. Click here to meet everyone.
CTC, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CSAT, FPPE, FDM, FFCP
specializing in fear, anxiety and aggression including intrahousehold dog conflicts
CPDT-KA, FFCP, FPPE
CTC, FFCP
manners, behavior and group class instructor at Doggie Zen Den
VSA-CDT, FFCP, bilingual
manners, leash walking, obedience, bilingual
CPDT-KA, FDM, AKC CGC, FFCP
behavior, reactivity, manners, and puppies
CSAT, FFCP
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you ever use shock, prong, choke, bark, or electronic collars?
No. WBA does not use or recommend those tools, slip leads for training, leash corrections, alpha rolls, intimidation, or methods designed to cause fear, pain, or physical or emotional discomfort.
Can you work with a patient who is taking behavior medication?
Yes, when the case is appropriate for our scope. Medication decisions belong to the prescribing veterinarian. We support the veterinary plan and direct questions about efficacy, adverse effects, dose, or medication changes back to the veterinarian.
Will you communicate with the veterinary team?
Yes. With the client’s written permission, we welcome communication with the referring veterinary team.
What if the behavior may have a medical cause?
We recommend veterinary evaluation when a behavior appears suddenly, worsens significantly, is associated with pain or physical change, or may be affected by health. Training and environmental support do not replace medical assessment.
Where do you work?
WBA serves the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in person and offers virtual support where appropriate. Current group classes are listed at Highland Park Animal Hospital in Dallas and Doggie Zen Den in Plano.
Refer a patient or consult with us
If you are unsure which service fits, we welcome contacting us before referring. We are happy to discuss scope, methods, and the most appropriate next step.
Resources
AVSAB Position Statements and 2025 Board Statement — Current clarification on humane training and non-endorsement of individual trainers or credentialing bodies.
AVSAB Humane Dog Training Position Statement (2021) — Evidence review, referral guidance, scope of the veterinarian, and recommendation for reward-based methods only.
AVSAB How to Choose a Trainer (2026) — The attached three-page public handout; use unaltered and with clear attribution.
AAHA: Changing Behaviors — Clinical guidance opposing aversive techniques and listed tools.
AAHA: Assembling a Support Team — Veterinary-trainer collaboration, scope, trainer screening, and specialist referral.
ACVB Position Statements — Current position against methods causing pain, discomfort, or fear and guidance on referral due diligence.
ACVB Resources for Veterinarians — Immediate safety guidance, no-punishment advice, and reward-based referrals.
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association: Humane Training of Dogs — Optional international corroboration; September 17, 2021.
British Small Animal Veterinary Association: Aversive Training Methods — Optional international corroboration; reviewed 2024.