About Total Dog

Veteran-led training in Austin

Total Dog is a veteran-owned dog training business in Austin serving Central Texas. Trainer Brice Cavanaugh spent nine years in the United States Marine Corps, where he was selected to create and become the first Kennel Master for HMX-One, the Presidential Helicopter Squadron's explosive detection canine unit. He later served as a deputy sheriff and worked as a private contractor in explosives detection, and he credits himself with 35 years of training every kind of dog. Total Dog has been featured on WGN and ABC15.

The Cav Protocol

Training follows The Cav Protocol, a five-step framework Brice developed: Clarity (defining the dog you want), Administration (choosing techniques and tools for this dog and owner), Training (sit, down, stay, heel, place), Proofing across distance, duration, distraction and location, and Independence, which reduces reliance on leashes, collars and treat bags. He calls his approach 100% balanced. Typical problems include jumping, leash pulling, barking, running away, separation anxiety, nipping, aggression, resource guarding, hyperactivity and house soiling.

What to ask

Book the free call to ask how sessions are structured, where they take place and what a program costs.