Working with me & Training Programs

Single sessions

Phone Consultation

The phone consultation will establish safety measures to mitigate further aggression or reactivity, and structure, to reduce anxiety, and protocols to reinforce trust and respect between you and your dog. A scheduled, mindful phone consultation provides the time to build on prior ad hoc feedback. And it has proved invaluable to out-of-area and traveling clients who are unavailable to meet in person.

Assessment

The in-person consultation is an in-depth discussion of Cause and Effect methodology and philosophy and your specific training needs and goals. It includes a behavioral assessment, including a dog-to-dog assessment if pertinent to the training needs of your dog. It will be an in-depth snapshot of the skills I will teach you during our time together. The consultation is a lively, engaged session where the owner often comes away from it with new knowledge about the dog’s personality, drives, and needs.

Single Private Session

This one time session targets specific behaivor, like separation anxiety, barking, house-breaking, leash manners.

Training Programs

Training Outline - How quickly your dog moves thru the training steps depends on the nature of your dog, what he brings to the initial lesson, and the amount of work the owner and dog accomplish between sessions. Each session includes a weekly check-in by email or phone. You will also have access to small group clinics after completing your program.

Off-leash Reliability Program (2-3 sessions)

Off leash skills, building strong recall, build impulse control around other dogs. Guide appropriate behavior around play. Requires an e-collar.

Fundamental Focus Obedience (3 sessions)

This program focuses on Wait, Sit, Down-Stay, Heel, Come, Relax and Focus, and starting correction for undesirable behaivors. We build reliability and calm in the home, on walks, and in parks. We start with a 6-foot lead and move to a 20-foot long line, and when necessary, adding the electronic collar as a valuable communication tool.

Behavior Modification for Aggression and Reactivity (4-6 sessions)

My approach utilizes comprehensive Fundamental Focus obedience commands, in-home rules, and structure; then moves into thoughtful reinforcement and correction. All sessions target behavioral issues through desensitizing, building impulse control, confidence building, motivation, as well as consequence and reward.

Separation and Anxiety Program (2-4 sessions)

It is challenging and stressful to live with an anxious dog. We work extensively with general and separation anxiety. We employ the tools of structure, obedience, and confidence building exercises and correction. We work predominately in your home, or in your office (if your dog goes to work with you), and other locations where anxiety can surface.

Trainer Sessions

These are focused 1:1 sessions with the dog and trainer. We recommend them for a variety of reasons: to establish enduring trust with a fearful dog, to refine or strengthen an area of training where the dog is showing resistance or uncertainty, and to troubleshoot an area of weakness or "stuckness."

Puppy Training (4 sessions)

We work in your home, neighborhood and the local parks. The program features my in-home protocol to guide your young dog toward calm behavior in the home. We cover housebreaking, crate training, meeting guests, and preventive protocols to avoid and eliminate separation anxiety. We do engagement and confidence building exercises. We train you on proper and supportive socialization tools, the use of luring and naming commands. We go on successful outings and raise your dog's street smarts. Our focus is building a confident, sound dog and a happy, well-adjusted family member.

We will guide you on what it means to be your puppy’s fair and thoughtful leader, so he looks to you when unsure, adheres to life-saving commands and learns his proper place as a happy follower rather than a burdened leader.

Day Training

Your dog will spend 1-3 days each week with me for 6 hours a day. This intensive training period will focus on honing specific behavior issues, strengthening fundamental commands and structured socialization around triggers. The issues I aim to tackle during this training program are diverse and may include challenges with dog-to-dog social skills, lack of confidence, impulse control, separation anxiety, crate training, and building reliable off-leash behaviors through acclamation to the E-Collar. Additionally, I can work with fear triggers and work to build overall confidence levels.

The stay includes one structured pack walk at Wildcat Canyon.

Group Sessions - Free

Your dog is eligible after the 3rd Private session. Your dog is invited to free monthly group classes held on weekends, access unlimited. There is a 15-dog limit and preference is given to active clients. Focused on clear leash handling communication and reinforcement of fundamental obedience commands around distractions.

Pre-Adoption Evaluation and Support

Adopting a dog is a big commitment. I’m here to help. I work with you to find the right dog for you and your family. I have years of experience working with family dogs who have developed a serious behavioral issues like anxiety and aggression. Hiring a seasoned dog trainer for pre adoption support program is one of the strongest deterrents for having to face these problems down the road. I use an intuitive and science-based approach to finding just the right dog for your lifestyle, emotional needs, schedule and personality.

I can usually find the right dog to fit your lifestyle, emotional and household needs within 6 weeks.