Let’s Get Your Sit Together!

So you and your pup are sitting there, staring at each other with wheels turning in both of your heads. There are a few scenarios that might be playing out. None of which are ideal. (Otherwise, you wouldn’t be on this site.)

Their head is cocked at that sweet angle that makes us all melt and they’re just watching you try to figure out why they aren’t listening to you, doing their own thing, and chewing up the doily that Grandma Susan made.

They're in their kennel, trying to make themselves as small as possible because this whole new home thing sounded great until they got there and got overwhelmed by the newness of everything. (Hello sensory overload!)

Company came over last night and they got excited… a little too excited. And by excited, I actually mean anxious. Your friends Michael and Jayna were on the edge of their seats all night because your nervous pup growled and barked at them when they came to the door… and then lunged at them once they crossed the threshold.

If you’re in one of these situations, or in a different one that’s driving your possible neurodivergent mind nuts, then I got you.

(And if your brain doesn’t work like mine, I still got you. Promise.)

Before we get too much further, let’s look at the difference between a trainer and a behaviorist because they aren't exactly the same..

Basic Training

Behavior modification

Think of a teacher or a coach.

They will come alongside you and teach your dog a variety of basic skills that will set them up for success, whether it’s sit, stay, or walk down the street without being dragged.

Think of this like a therapist. They will come and help you identify the underlying issue, and help to modify or manage behaviors (like fear, stress, anxiety, reactivity, and more) that have become patterned (unwanted) behaviors for your dog.

Now that we understand we’re looking at apples and oranges, let’s see what you need to set your four-legged friend up for success. Unsurprisingly, no matter what, it all stems from clear communication.

Services

assessments required for all clients $200/1.5hrs

Basic Training $100/hr:

One-on-one at your home, focusing on functional life skills to set you and your dog up for success. We train smart, practical behaviors/cues that stick. End result? A happier dog, more confident human, and fewer "oh shit" moments around the house.

Behavior Modification $200/hr

Not all dogs are the same. In behavior modification, it's my job to figure out the driving forces behind your specific dog's behavior so we can address it and build new patterns that work for both dog and human, setting everyone up for success. We're not doing a brain transplant, we're reshaping habits with patience, grace, and a lot of swearing if needed. End result? A happier dog, a less frustrated human, and maybe fewer shredded blinds, destroyed couches, or pilfered pillows.

VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSIONS AVAILABLE!!

Virtual sessions work well for new puppies, potty training, foundational skills and behavior issues like separation anxiety. Because I am not physically in your home, your dog behaves naturally giving me clearer information and better results. Great for out-of-state clients and busy humans!

*Same brain. Different Dimension.

Board and Train: not available at this time

You remember how growing up Mom and Dad had specific rules for us and then we went to Grandma’s and those rules went out the window? This ain’t that.

(Trust me, growing up undiagnosed autistic, that made things confusing and frustrating! I’m willing to bet, it’d be the same for your dog!)

With the board and train option, your pup would come and stay with me for a set amount of time for intensive specific training, BUT when they come home, you have to be willing to put that work in to keep up with the foundations that I’ve started.

AKA, I’ll provide you with the healthy recipe of a well-behaved pup, but you can’t replace it with cookies and treats and expect Fido to keep up with it himself.

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Drop-Off intensive

For my busy clients that struggle with consistency (no judgement!). Drop your dog off with me for a 3-hr intensive while I work on either basic training or behavior modification, while you tackle that to-do list, sip your coffee in peace, or finally answer that one email you've been avoiding!

At the end of each session, I'll review progress and provide clear next steps so you can maintain and reinforce the skills at home.

Basic training Drop-off intensive $250

Behavior Modification drop-off intensive - $400

So how long is the training process? Good freaking question.

That’s like me asking my therapist how long it will take to fix my anxiety.

Trust when I say that my ADHD and Autism has a strong hold on that.

There are so many outside factors at play that have to be taken into consideration. Environment. History. Your dog’s equivalent to stimming: Reactions.

And if any one of these aren’t considered, then we’re in for a frustrating time.

There’s no one set path to “fixing” your dog. What worked for the Golden Retriever with leash reactivity, probably won’t work for the Yorkie with the resource guarding tendencies.

I’m not going to tell you that it’s going to be sunshine and rainbows in two months or less, but having grace and respect for both yourself and your dog is the first step to an awesome relationship with clear communication.

So before you click a booking button, be prepared for a few things:

There will be times when you trip up. It’s human. Sometimes, it’s low registration. (Hi, that’s “clumsy” me!)
There will be times when you’ll want to throw your hands up and say, “Fuck this!” because… sensory overload.
And also, there will be times when you dust yourself off, forget yourself and your dog for whatever mistake there was, and yell “F*** Yeah!” right along with me.

If you stick with it, there will be success. And before you know it, you’ll feel like you’re a “dog savant,” understanding your pup more than ever before.

Also I love you, and I love your dog, but once your pup is on the road to success… I’m not moving in…well, unless you're an amazing cook...since my skill set doesn't lie in a kitchen.