Frequently Asked Questions

I work with all kinds of dogs experiencing all kinds of behavior issues, including the tough stuff. I love to work with complex dogs!

Most commonly my clients call me for help with reactivity (shenanigans while out on a walk), stranger danger, fear/nervous/anxious behavior, multi-dog homes, and bonding with and training a new dog.

Nope. I specialize in pet dogs whose behavior needs to change, and that’s the only kind of training I do. Pet dogs are a specialty in dog training!

If you need help with your pet dog, I HIGHLY recommend hiring a trainer who specializes in pet dogs (even if it’s not me). Avoid trainers who train/trained dogs in other capacities (such as military/police dogs, scent detection dogs, service dogs, dog sports, etc.). While those trainers may be very good at what they do, the needs of pet dogs and their families are very different than in other contexts.

Yes. The most user-friendly way to teach new behaviors, reinforce desired behavior, and change how a dog feels about something is to use food. Check out this reel to hear me talk more about this.

If your dog won’t take food during training, don’t panic! We’ll work on that.

For more food-related FAQs, visit my Using Food page.

I firmly believe that dog training should be accessible to EVERYONE who is ready, willing and able to commit to it. Please don’t let your finances stop you from reaching out. Please apply and let me know that you’re interested in the sliding scale option. :)

I recommend a sturdy, y-front, non-restrictive harness, a martingale collar (as a backup ONLY), and a 6-10’ biothane leash for nearly all dogs. Visit my Harnesses page to learn more about why I use this style of harness and which ones I’d recommend.

I’ll never recommend or use tools that are designed to punish your dog, such as prong collars, e-collars, choke collars, etc. These are completely unnecessary, even for dogs who have serious behavior issues. If you’ve used these in the past (or even in the present), I won’t shame you or lecture you for it. I once used them, too.

In a field that’s always evolving, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest scientific developments and ethical discussions. In my 10+ years practicing various types of dog training, I can confidently say that there are not enough dog trainers doing the work to stay up to date! My commitment to this—and my willingness to adjust my training along the way—is one of the things that sets me apart.

Overall, force-free training is the way of the future! Gone are the days of dominance-based, correction-based training. Those methods and philosophies have been discredited a thousand times over. Positive reinforcement techniques combined with a force-free approach has been proven to be the most effective and most humane way of training.

Nope! I used all of the above in the past, so I’m familiar with how and why they work. I’m also familiar with the problems they create, even when it appears to be harmless (hint: it’s not!).

The tools that are used for correction, such as the prong collar & e-collar, are designed to be uncomfortable at best and painful at worst. Many trainers argue that the “low levels” or “gentle pressure and release” techniques are not harmful, but studies have shown that even when there are no major side effects like increased aggression, these tools are still associated with elevated cortisol levels (a stress hormone). That means that even in the best case scenario, these tools are adding stress to your dog’s life—and not the productive kind.

There is no other way to say this, so I’m just going to say it outright: you need to make time for your dog. There’s just no way around it. If you’re ready to get to work, I’ll do everything I can to make it manageable! If you’re concerned about time, I may be able to offer a day training option where I come to your home several times a week to work with your dog directly before doing lessons with you.

First, we’ll assess WHY the unwanted behavior is happening. The “why” matters. Behavior is communication that functions to meet a need, and we need to know what that underlying need is so that we can meet it. Behavior is also a product of its reinforcement history, so we need to look at those variables, too. We’ll also look at who this dog is, the environment they live in, and their overall lifestyle. Once we’ve covered all our bases, we’ll have a conversation about healthy, fair expectations, and then we’ll work together to develop a strategy that involves smart management, skill building, and reinforcement of appropriate behavior patterns.

And yes, it is entirely possible to work through “bad” behavior without corrections. Skilled positive trainers do it every. single. day.

Depends on what you mean by “obedience training”. Is this basic training? Sure, it can be! But I don’t emphasize obedience commands in my training approach. I aim to teach your dog only the skills they need to be successful, and often that doesn’t include basic obedience skills.

I also take issue with the concept of “obedience”. I’m not here to make your dog obey you, but to help you and your dog learn to work together. Cooperation is the key!