FAQ

Who will benefit from working with me?

The short answer is: Anyone who shares their life with dogs, or is interested in dog behavior. Anyone who would like to change, explore, enrich, and improve the quality of life of dogs.

From a client perspective, you’re likely to enjoy working with me if you are seeking a collaborative approach to training and interacting with your dog. If you’re up for celebrating all the little wins we’ll have on the training journey we’ll make a great team. In working together we’ll have fun and use games and activities that support your training goals.

Here’s an example: Your dog is unable to settle when you have visitors; she tears through the house like a tornado and doesn’t stop pestering guests. You’d like to be able to have guests over and have her be present, calm, and relaxed. There are several ways to address this. We could teach your dog a list of behaviors and cues (such as Down, Stay, Off, Settle, etc.) so you can better manage her in social situations.

OR we can work on building her ability to self-soothe and relax. (For those who recognize that this can be both a physical/somatic, and an emotional journey, and also an enviable skill, I see you!) We can provide her with choices that encourage problem-solving and better decision making, and we can encourage her to seek rewarding experiences on her own and away from your guests, just to name just a few useful life-skills.

While we may still incorporate some of the helpful cues from in the first solution, my aim is to impart important real-life skills your dog will need to navigate successfully in our world.

In other words, I’m not just trying to make you a meal; I’d love to help you become a better cook. Just like having the skills to cook nourishing meals for a lifetime is more beneficial than relying on fast food for quick fixes, having the tools and skills to navigate future behavior challenges will sustain both you and your dog longer and serve you better.

You may not be sure what it will require to achieve your training goal.  I can help you prioritize. That’s partly what the initial consultation is for. I’ll let you know what a realistic training plan for achieving your goal will be, and together we’ll create a training plan you can stick to.

Sometimes it requires a slight perspective shift or adjustment in expectations or narrowing the scope of the training a little, and that’s okay. 

Other times it’s not feasible to work together for as long as we’d like to resolve a behavior challenge, and that’s okay, too. Sometimes good management alone is good training. I’m here to support you in finding the best solution for your situation.

Will online training work for me?

It most likely will, and I’ll be honest with you after our initial consultation if I don’t think it’s the best option for you. Meeting on camera instead of across a coffee table in your living room has fewer limitations than you may think. It’s even optimal for many dogs and clients. It’s ideal for shy and fearful dogs, for instance, and much safer if there’s a current bite risk and we need to work on making your dog comfortable wearing a muzzle for extra stressful, unavoidable situations (vet visits, grooming appointments, travel requirements, etc.)  It’s also great for human clients who are immunocompromised or have social anxiety or overwhelm.

The difference in how modern dog training is conducted lies in the approach. Regardless of the behavior you’re addressing with your dog, there are foundational skills for both you and your dog to learn and practice before applying them in real-life situations. Meeting for online appointments is ideal for that. Creating new behaviors and changing habits takes time and consistency. (If you doubt this, try relocating your garbage can and watch how confused your entire family is for days.)

Sometimes your dog’s behavior involves big feelings. When that’s the case, we have more to work on: good management, skill-building, gradually introducing triggers, emotional self-regulation, and more. Just like talk-therapy for humans, meeting over Zoom (or a similar platform) and working our way through the behavior training plan works great. You will be the one training your dog with me coaching you, exactly as you would if I came to your house.

If there’s a need for hands-on assistance once your dog is ready for prime time, I can help you find a trainer in your area who can follow through with our training plan.

Click here to see more benefits and features of online behavior training: (link to benefits of virtual training).”

Why is the initial consultation always virtual?

Meeting virtually—even if we plan to meet in person for training—allows us to cover and exchange important information about your dog, your family’s routines, and your dog’s health and behavior history. It also allows you, the client, to share what you’d like me to know without having to manage your dog and a visitor. I’ll know the right questions to ask to get the information I need to get a clear picture of the behaviors you want to work on. This appointment is where you, the human client gets first get first step management and training reccomendations, and the outline of your dog’s behavior training plan.

Won’t you need to see my dog’s problem behavior?

I understand why trainers and behavior consultants get asked this often. It’s a common belief.

It’s not necessary for us to witness the full display of your dog’s problem behaviors to recognize them. If your dog’s behavior falls within our area of expertise, we’ve seen it many times before. In fact, in working together whether in person or online, I hope I won’t see it. Here’s why: once I know what triggers your dog and have an idea of their threshold for triggering (whether growling, lunging, retreating, ignoring a cue, etc.), I aim to stay below the threshold and work on building skills from there.

Is online training as effective as in-person, and why would I choose it if there’s a trainer in my area who could come to my house?

Depending on what behaviors you’re working on, it can be super helpful to meet with a trainer or behavior consultant in person. We can still work on the foundational behaviors online (saving $and time), and you’d be further along your training journey when you start working with a trainer in person. You’ll also bring an customized  training plan for your dog with you.

Perhaps you’re seeking support for a behavior challenge your local trainer doesn’t cover, or they may be using an approach or equipment you’re not comfortable with. Having access to a training/behavior consultant who can see you virtually can be a great option.

Sometimes it just comes down to chemistry. I once had a teacher who spoke down to his female students, and found every opportunity to demean them. I remember nothing he taught us in class, but I still get tense when I think of it. Point is, we learn much better when we feel heard and supported. I encourage you to find the solution that feels right to you.

How many sessions will it take to reach my training goal?

It depends. What’s your goal? If your dog currently barks and snaps at guests, and you’d like him to be relaxed and composed around visitors, but you’re only able to do one consultation, it may be necessary to reassess the goal. In this case, a more achievable goal could be to discuss management strategies to keep your dog and guests separate, and to make a plan to ensure your dog is comfortable when separated by a barrier in your home.

If you’re hoping to achieve long-term behavior change, and you’re able to stick with your original goal, you and your dog can determine when you’ve reached the desired change. We can’t alter your dog’s DNA, and we can’t always control the environment, so we don’t have complete control over a training outcome, but the more you and your dog are prepared for every situation, the closer you are likely to get to you desired behavior goal.

What do your certifications mean?

• Certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers since 2003 (CPDT-KA)
• Certified Pat Miller Trainer. (PMCT-2)
• Certified Family Dog Mediator (FDM)
• Certified Fear Free Trainer (CFFT)

Continued education is required to retain and renew certifications, ensuring that certified trainers and behavior consultants stay current on behavioral science and training findings and methods.

The short answer is: Anyone who shares their life with dogs, or is interested in dog behavior. Anyone who would like to change, explore, enrich, and improve the quality of life of dogs.

From a client perspective, you’re likely to enjoy working with me if you are seeking a collaborative approach to training and interacting with your dog. If you’re up for celebrating all the little wins we’ll have on the training journey we’ll make a great team. In working together we’ll have fun and use games and activities that support your training goals.

Here’s an example: Your dog is unable to settle when you have visitors; she tears through the house like a tornado and doesn’t stop pestering guests. You’d like to be able to have guests over and have her be present, calm, and relaxed. There are several ways to address this. We could teach your dog a list of behaviors and cues (such as Down, Stay, Off, Settle, etc.) so you can better manage her in social situations.

OR we can work on building her ability to self-soothe and relax. (For those who recognize that this can be both a physical/somatic, and an emotional journey, and also an enviable skill, I see you!) We can provide her with choices that encourage problem-solving and better decision making, and we can encourage her to seek rewarding experiences on her own and away from your guests, just to name just a few useful life-skills.

While we may still incorporate some of the helpful cues from in the first solution, my aim is to impart important real-life skills your dog will need to navigate successfully in our world.

In other words, I’m not just trying to make you a meal; I’d love to help you become a better cook. Just like having the skills to cook nourishing meals for a lifetime is more beneficial than relying on fast food for quick fixes, having the tools and skills to navigate future behavior challenges will sustain both you and your dog longer and serve you better.

You may not be sure what it will require to achieve your training goal.  I can help you prioritize. That’s partly what the initial consultation is for. I’ll let you know what a realistic training plan for achieving your goal will be, and together we’ll create a training plan you can stick to.

Sometimes it requires a slight perspective shift or adjustment in expectations or narrowing the scope of the training a little, and that’s okay. 

Other times it’s not feasible to work together for as long as we’d like to resolve a behavior challenge, and that’s okay, too. Sometimes good management alone is good training. I’m here to support you in finding the best solution for your situation.

It most likely will, and I’ll be honest with you after our initial consultation if I don’t think it’s the best option for you. Meeting on camera instead of across a coffee table in your living room has fewer limitations than you may think. It’s even optimal for many dogs and clients. It’s ideal for shy and fearful dogs, for instance, and much safer if there’s a current bite risk and we need to work on making your dog comfortable wearing a muzzle for extra stressful, unavoidable situations (vet visits, grooming appointments, travel requirements, etc.)  It’s also great for human clients who are immunocompromised or have social anxiety or overwhelm.

The difference in how modern dog training is conducted lies in the approach. Regardless of the behavior you’re addressing with your dog, there are foundational skills for both you and your dog to learn and practice before applying them in real-life situations. Meeting for online appointments is ideal for that. Creating new behaviors and changing habits takes time and consistency. (If you doubt this, try relocating your garbage can and watch how confused your entire family is for days.)

Sometimes your dog’s behavior involves big feelings. When that’s the case, we have more to work on: good management, skill-building, gradually introducing triggers, emotional self-regulation, and more. Just like talk-therapy for humans, meeting over Zoom (or a similar platform) and working our way through the behavior training plan works great. You will be the one training your dog with me coaching you, exactly as you would if I came to your house.

If there’s a need for hands-on assistance once your dog is ready for prime time, I can help you find a trainer in your area who can follow through with our training plan.

Click here to see more benefits and features of online behavior training: (link to benefits of virtual training).”

Meeting virtually—even if we plan to meet in person for training—allows us to cover and exchange important information about your dog, your family’s routines, and your dog’s health and behavior history. It also allows you, the client, to share what you’d like me to know without having to manage your dog and a visitor. I’ll know the right questions to ask to get the information I need to get a clear picture of the behaviors you want to work on. This appointment is where you, the human client gets first get first step management and training reccomendations, and the outline of your dog’s behavior training plan.

I understand why trainers and behavior consultants get asked this often. It’s a common belief.

It’s not necessary for us to witness the full display of your dog’s problem behaviors to recognize them. If your dog’s behavior falls within our area of expertise, we’ve seen it many times before. In fact, in working together whether in person or online, I hope I won’t see it. Here’s why: once I know what triggers your dog and have an idea of their threshold for triggering (whether growling, lunging, retreating, ignoring a cue, etc.), I aim to stay below the threshold and work on building skills from there.

Depending on what behaviors you’re working on, it can be super helpful to meet with a trainer or behavior consultant in person. We can still work on the foundational behaviors online (saving $and time), and you’d be further along your training journey when you start working with a trainer in person. You’ll also bring an customized  training plan for your dog with you.

Perhaps you’re seeking support for a behavior challenge your local trainer doesn’t cover, or they may be using an approach or equipment you’re not comfortable with. Having access to a training/behavior consultant who can see you virtually can be a great option.

Sometimes it just comes down to chemistry. I once had a teacher who spoke down to his female students, and found every opportunity to demean them. I remember nothing he taught us in class, but I still get tense when I think of it. Point is, we learn much better when we feel heard and supported. I encourage you to find the solution that feels right to you.

It depends. What’s your goal? If your dog currently barks and snaps at guests, and you’d like him to be relaxed and composed around visitors, but you’re only able to do one consultation, it may be necessary to reassess the goal. In this case, a more achievable goal could be to discuss management strategies to keep your dog and guests separate, and to make a plan to ensure your dog is comfortable when separated by a barrier in your home.

If you’re hoping to achieve long-term behavior change, and you’re able to stick with your original goal, you and your dog can determine when you’ve reached the desired change. We can’t alter your dog’s DNA, and we can’t always control the environment, so we don’t have complete control over a training outcome, but the more you and your dog are prepared for every situation, the closer you are likely to get to you desired behavior goal.

• Certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers since 2003 (CPDT-KA)
• Certified Pat Miller Trainer. (PMCT-2)
• Certified Family Dog Mediator (FDM)
• Certified Fear Free Trainer (CFFT)

Continued education is required to retain and renew certifications, ensuring that certified trainers and behavior consultants stay current on behavioral science and training findings and methods.