Dog & Cat Behavior and Training Services

Please call us to set up an appointment at 207-799-6952

Recognizing the relationship between physical and mental health, VRCCE augments our medical, surgical and dental services with behavior and training opportunities for both cats and dogs. These offerings are conducted by our staff Clinical Behaviorist, Jocelyn Strassel, MS, CVT, LVT, CDBC. All behavior sessions are conducted using scientifically sound, ethical and rewards-based methods proven to strengthen pets’ emotional wellbeing, improve behavior and avoid unintended side effects. Our Behavior Services are tailored to your pet’s individual challenges. Please contact us if you have any questions or are unsure which service is the right choice for your pet.

About Jocelyn Strassel, MS, CVT, CDBC

Jocelyn is an applied animal behaviorist, certified & licensed veterinary technician, and experienced professional lecturer. She previously worked as a Clinical Behaviorist at the MSPCA/Angell in Boston, MA from 2016-2024 conducting behavioral consultations, providing individual training sessions and group classes, and advising shelter staff on behavioral topics. She has a bachelor's degree from Connecticut College and a Master's of Science in Companion Animal Behavior Analysis and Counseling from the American College of Applied Science. She has been a CVT since 2003 and a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (IAABC) since 2019. Her extensive education and professional experience are complemented by the hands-on experience she has gained from her own adopted reactive dog, which has shaped her approach and deepened her understanding of the difficulties involved with owning a pet with behavior concerns. Jocelyn recently moved from Boston to the Maine coast with her husband and her senior pit bull Sugar (who is enjoying a slower-paced retirement!). She loves to explore new restaurants, spend time outdoors, and hike anytime she can.

Puppy Class

Fridays from 9:00 - 10:00 am

Class dates: August 14, 21, 28 & September 4

We’re excited to announce our puppy training class here at VRCCE. The training starts at 6:30 pm and will run for 4 weeks on Monday, July 6, 13, 27, August 3, 2026. Puppies who are 8 - 16 weeks old are welcome. Our behavior consultant, Jocelyn Strassel, MS, CVT, CDBC, will be teaching the course. Please call us at 207-799-6952 to book your spot.

Our 4-week small group (5 puppies max) puppy classes provide puppies with a safe and fun opportunity to socialize with other puppies and new people while providing their caretakers with information on how to socialize their puppies outside of class as well. We will also cover basic training for both obedience and other life skills (such as handling, nail trims, etc.) as well as prevention and management of common puppy problems.

*To keep everyone safe, puppies will need their first vet exam, distemper and bordetella vaccines, fecal testing, and deworming to enroll.

TRAINING FEE: $200.00

Rewards Based Obedience Class

Wednesdays from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

September 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21

Join us for a fun 6-week, rewards-based training class where you will learn how to effectively train your dog in a supportive small group setting (4 dogs max).

You and your dog will work as a team to learn essential behaviors like sit, down, stay, come, “leave it,” “place” (long down/stay on a mat), and polite leash walking. Expect a bonding opportunity for you & your dog with lots of laughs, wags, and practical skills you’ll use every day! Our class is taught by our Applied Animal Behaviorist, Jocelyn Strasssel, MS, CVT, CDBC, so you can be assured that you will be learning the most up-to-date, scientific and ethical training methods. The training fee is $300.00. Please call us at 207-799-6952 to book your spot.

This class is open to dogs over 6 months, including those entering adolescence, new to your family, or just in need of a refresher on the basics. Dogs must be comfortable working around other dogs and meeting new people in a class setting. If your dog isn’t quite there yet, reach out—we’re happy to discuss alternative options to help.

*To keep everyone safe, dogs will need their first vet exam, rabies, distemper & bordetella vaccines, and a negative fecal test to enroll.

TRAINING FEE: $300.00

Dog Obedience Class description with image of dog on a blue background

Clinical Behavior Consultation

A behavior consultation is a 1:1 meeting with Jocelyn to provide a detailed, personalized written behavior plan designed to improve your pet’s specific problem behavior. The consult price also includes one 30 minute follow up/training session at VRCCE (to be scheduled within one month of the consult). Behavior consults are available for both dogs and cats. Common problems for dogs include reactive (barking/lunging), aggressive, fearful, and anxious behavior. Common problems for cats include aggression, fear, and litterbox problems. The plan will provide an assessment of the behavior outlining the factors influencing why your pet is likely behaving in that manner, a plan to improve the behavior via environmental management & training, and a prognosis on what changes are realistic to expect. This plan is based on a combination of a detailed questionnaire, observations, and a discussion of your pet’s behavior. Consults include 2 months of follow-up (for the specific behavior addressed in the plan) via email or phone. Please note, behavior change can be a slow process, and there is no guarantee of a “cure.” Behavior plans are designed to improve the lives of both the pet and the caretakers, and we hope to see slow and steady progress as the plan is implemented as advised. Please note, Jocelyn cannot prescribe medication, as she is not a vet, but will share the behavior plan with your vet if medication may be indicated. Consults are approximately 1 hour and can be conducted on site at VRCCE, virtually via Zoom, or in your home (with approval and for an additional travel fee). Please call us to set up an appointment at 207-799-6952.

Includes:

60-75 min consult, detailed personalized written behavior plan and 30 minute follow up training session at VRCCE within 1 month.
Offered at VRCCE, in home or via video.

Requirements:

Up to date Rabies Vaccine.
Completed Behavior Questionnaire.

Clinical Behavior Recheck

In most cases, a behavior recheck appointment will be recommended approximately 2 months after the initial meeting, or sooner if desired. During a recheck, we will discuss progress, make changes as needed, and address and assess any new concerns. Rechecks are 30 minutes and can be conducted on site at VRCCE, virtually via Zoom, or in your home (with approval and for an additional travel fee). Please call us to set up an appointment at 207-799-6952.

Includes:

30 minute meeting with detailed personalized written follow up plan from original consult.
Offered at VRCCE, in home or via video.

Requirements:

Up to date Rabies Vaccine.
Prerequisite: Clinical Behavior Consultation.

On-Leash Reactivity Training Package

If your dog barks and lunges at things while on leash, this training package can help. This package includes a total of 3 sessions. The first session is a 1 hr. initial assessment at VRCCE to provide you with a personalized plan and go over the advised recommendations and training. Then, you will have 2 additional 30- minute training sessions to get hands on coaching in implementing the plan (to be completed within 2 months of the initial meeting). These sessions can be held at VRCCE or in your neighborhood in Cape or South Portland (additional charges may apply for travel in other towns). This training will address on leash reactivity only and is intended for dogs without a serious bite history. Please call us to set up an appointment at 207-799-6952.

Includes:

3 sessions: 1 hr. initial assessment/training at VRCCE followed by (2) 30-minute training sessions at VRCCE or at home (Cape/South Portland). Additional $50 charge for travel outside of this area.

Requirements:

Up to date Rabies Vaccine.
Completed Training Questionnaire.
These sessions are for dogs without a bite history.

Cooperative Care Training Package

If your dog struggles with veterinary visits in general or certain aspects of veterinary care, training can help. Often referred to as cooperative care, we can teach your dog to be a more willing participant in veterinary care. Training will be tailored to your dog’s specific needs, but may include station/place training, chin rest, muzzle training, and working on improving comfort with nail trims, injections/blood draws, ear cleaning, etc. While some dogs may always require an anti-anxiety medication in conjunction with the training, other dogs may learn to accept care with training alone. Either way, this training should help reduce everyone’s stress for veterinary care. The training package includes four 30-minute sessions on site at VRCCE. Please call us to set up an appointment at 207-799-6952.

Includes:

(4) 30-minute sessions at VRCCE.

Requirements:

Up to date Rabies Vaccine.
Completed Training Questionnaire.

Cooperative Care/Drop In Training

For dogs that have completed the Cooperative Care Package, 20-minute drop-in training sessions are available to continue to train in the clinic setting and create/maintain a positive association with the clinic. Please call us to set up an appointment at 207-799-6952.

Includes:

20 min session at VRCCE.

Requirements:

Up to date Rabies Vaccine.
Prerequisite: Cooperative Care Training Package.

Private Training Sessions

Private training sessions are available for both general obedience (loose leash walking, coming when called, sit, stay, etc.), specific training goals (teaching a dog to go up a ramp, wear a muzzle, etc.), as well as to aid in specific training protocols outlined in a behavior plan. Training sessions are also available for cats- cats are very smart and fun to train! Sessions can be scheduled for 1 hour or 30 minutes and can be conducted on site at VRCCE or in your home (for an additional travel fee). Please call us to set up an appointment at 207-799-6952.

Includes:

1 hour of training or :30 minutes of training.

Requirements:

Up to date Rabies Vaccine.
Completed Training Questionnaire.

Private Training 4 Pack

Receive a $150 discount when you purchase a package of 4 1-hour private sessions to be completed within 4 months. Please call us to set up an appointment at 207-799-6952.

Includes:

4, 1-hr sessions of training

Requirements:

Up to date Rabies Vaccine.
Completed Training Questionnaire.
To be completed within 4 months.

New Puppy/Kitten In-Home Fundamentals

It is exciting to welcome a puppy or kitten to the family, but it can also be overwhelming and confusing to sort through all the conflicting advice out there! This 1-hour in-home meeting with Jocelyn will provide a clear plan to help your puppy or kitten learn how to become a well-behaved family member. The meeting will cover the fundamentals of training as well as how to create an ideal home environment for your new puppy or kitten based on the layout of your specific home, and your goals for your new pet. Please call us to set up an appointment at 207-799-6952. *Meeting can be done prior to your new pet’s arrival or anytime after they arrive and have had their first vet exam.

Includes: