Baltimore Dog Training
Ethical | Force-free | Wellbeing-focused | Supportive
Let’s take this journey together.
Hi, I’m Nikki and I’m not your average dog trainer.
My training approach is so much more than getting dogs to do things for treats.
It's about getting to know each individual dog—their needs, sensitivities, body language, motivation and more—and considering their emotional experience and perspective. From there, I build a holistic training plan that is designed not only to change behavior, but to improve each dog's wellbeing and their connection with their people in the process.
If you’re in Baltimore County or Baltimore City, we can do one-on-one private lessons in your home. If you’re in Maryland but outside of that area, please inquire and we’ll see if we can work it out!
Dog behaviors I often help with
This is not a complete list, just some of the more common behaviors/goals I often help with. If your dog is experiencing something that’s beyond my skill set, I’ll let you know and I’ll refer you to someone who can help.
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Including pulling, lunging, barking, refusing to walk, scavenging food on the street, etc.
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Including all the issues that can arise in that context, such as conflict between animals, introducing animals to each other, etc.
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Including stranger danger, issues with guests coming into the home, irrational fears, nervousness about certain environments, general nervous/anxious behavior, etc.
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Including separation anxiety, separation distress, help with crate training, etc.
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Including building a solid positive recall, preparing for off leash time, learning how to use a long line safely, coming in from the backyard, etc.
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Including transitioning off of tools like the prong collar, e-collar, transitional lead, etc. and transitioning away from outdated training philosophies.
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Including bonding with a newly adopted dog, learning how to communicate and cooperate with each other, developing good habits, etc.
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Including polite greetings, good behavior around the house, etc.
Feedback from In-Person Training Clients
All private lesson packages include the following:
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Free initial chat
We can schedule a phone call or communicate by email—your choice! This gives you an opportunity to ask questions and learn more before signing up. Importantly, it gives us both a chance to make sure we’re the right fit to work together.
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Lessons in your home
Lessons are designed to coach you through the process of teaching and practicing relevant skills with your dog. I’ll also guide you through a customized management plan to make sure we’re not working against our own efforts. You’ll know exactly what to do and why you’re doing it.
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Daily Support
All clients are encouraged to stay in touch between lessons, that way I can help you troubleshoot and advance your dog’s training between lessons. This is how you get the most out of our time together! I don’t want you to hold questions for our next lesson—let’s keep the progress going!
My ethical training approach is a result of years of learning and experimenting with different training styles, methods and formats. It’s the best I’ve ever offered, and I’m really proud of what it is today.
Private Lesson Packages & Prices
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3-lesson package: $390
Best for dogs who don’t have complex behavior issues and just need one or two skills. Also a good budget-friendly option.
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6-lesson package: $720
A great starting place for many dogs. Dogs without big challenges can get comprehensive training from this package. We can always add on if needed.
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9-lesson package: $1,035
Ideal for dogs who have complex behavior issues, multi-dog homes with multiple challenges, or folks with many training goals for their dog.
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12-lesson package: $1,340
Dogs who have multiple complex behavior issues will likely need many lessons. I’ll let you know if this is recommended for your situation.
In-Person Client Testimonial
Looking for one-time help?
I also offer a single consultation for folks who would like to talk with me and receive a customized advice. We’ll meet for 60 minutes via Google Meet (video chat) and talk through your situation, your dog’s behavior, your goals, and more.
I’ll share customized training and management recommendations to help you start moving forward and keep everyone safe at the same time. You’ll also receive a written recap of my recommendations within 24 hours.
Cost: $75
(Sliding scale is available - please inquire if you’d like to use this option)
What you can expect from me:
Empathy for both you and your dog
Training and advice tailored to your specific dog in your specific situation
A commitment to creative solutions that meet your dog’s unique needs (no cookie cutter approaches!)
An approach to training that’s rooted in compassion and free of problematic methods such as force, dominance, and punishment
FAQs
What kind of training is this? (Methods/techniques)
I am firmly committed to using ethical, force-free, effective dog training methods based on the latest research and scientific consensus. Force-free training is the way of the future. There is tons of research across multiple disciplines to support the use of these humane, compassionate methods, as well as plenty of evidence to discourage the use of punishment.
I also prioritize each dog’s overall wellbeing. I aim to design programs that are realistic for the humans but also consider the dog’s physical, emotional, and behavioral needs. Click here to read more about my dog training philosophy.
How often do we do lessons?
This depends on your goals, your dog, and your ability to work with your dog between lessons. It will also change as training progresses. In the beginning we typically do 7-10 days between lessons to keep our momentum rolling, but in the later stages of training, it can often be more practical to allow 2-4 weeks between lessons.
ALSO: Don’t forget that ALL packages come with between-lesson support. We’ll have a private chat where you can ask questions, send me videos, etc. You’re never “on your own” between lessons. This kind of support keeps your dog’s training moving forward between lessons.
What if I have multiple dogs? Is it more expensive?
The price won’t change regardless of the number of dogs in your household; however, you will need more lessons, so in that sense yes, it is more expensive. If we can get away with training just one dog, we can certainly do that to keep the cost down.
What if my dog won’t take food?
Then we’ll start there! In some cases we can substitute play or other rewards, but a reluctance to take food often indicates an underlying issue that we need to address. There are also dogs who just need to learn the behavior of eating food (yes, that is a teachable behavior!).
Are all lessons in-person?
Usually, yes. If your dog has stranger danger and/or anxiety about guests in the home, it’s often more advantageous to do our first lesson virtually. This helps you get started on the skills you’ll need to help your dog through my arrival for our subsequent lessons.