I am a certified, licensed and fully insured Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant in the beautiful city of San Francisco. I have been working with dogs since 2005 and am passionate about the work I do because I love animals & know what an essential part of the family they are. I know it is not a decision that is made lightly when you choose to put your cherished family member in someone else’s hands, which is why I treat every single pet I care for as if they were my own, & sincerely love what I do.
I enjoy all types of training, but my main focus is Reactivity in all its forms - and there are so many phobias that dogs can develop in a crowded metropolis like San Francisco! My clients have consistent and sustained success in changing their dogs’ reactive behaviors because we work together: using a systematic program tailored to your dog’s individual emotional trauma, I can teach you not only how to improve the way your dog feels about their triggers, but how to change their behavioral responses in the face of them. Your dog shouldn’t go through life feeling stressed or fearful - I can help !
My training approach consists of positive reinforcement (R+) training techniques exclusively; using established, proven, science-based methods to create and strengthen desired behaviors while ensuring dogs stay happy, engaged & eager to learn. Correctional tools & aversive methods of any kind are not a part of my program: I believe that building a good relationship with your dog and keeping them feeling safe and loved is the best and only way to achieve sustainable desired behaviors.
In all training cases I apply the principles of Behavioral Psychology together with Applied Ethology, focusing on the vital connections between genetics, environment and behaviorism to answer some of the sometimes seemingly unanswerable questions about why certain behaviors are occurring in the first place. An evaluation of your dog's specific breed tendencies, combined with essential information that only you can provide, ensure that training methods will work with and not against your dog's natural instincts.
Communication with clients is paramount to my practice: I share highlights of training sessions with you via text, video and email to ensure that you see appropriate timing and mechanics in real time, and can duplicate training methods down the line to keep newly learned abilities going strong long after I'm gone.
I have experience with dogs of all ages, sizes & temperaments, & thoroughly enjoy the process of coaching you to train your pup. If you’d like to know more, you can book a free 20-minute phone call to discuss your specific situation and determine which training is right for you!
