
Is your dog on probation? Because there's no such thing as a "bad dog"—just misunderstood ones! Most so-called problem behaviors are totally normal dog stuff… just happening at the wrong time or in the wrong place. That's where dog behavior modification comes in to help.
Build your dog's custom training plan today!
Tackle Any Topic:
✨Barking
✨Begging
✨Chewing
✨Counter Surfing
✨Demanding Attention
✨Digging
✨Door-Dashing
✨Fears and Phobias
✨Humping
✨Hyper Zoomies
✨Jumping
✨Mounting
✨Mouthing & Nipping
✨Muzzle work
✨Potty Accidents
✨Personal Space
✨Resource Guarding
Ready to get started?
Take advantage of my FREE 30-minute dog training consultation! 👍
Four 1-hour training sessions available, with options to meet once a week or once every ten days. Sessions are held in the privacy of your home and neighborhood for your comfort.
Total cost: $200
All ages of dogs are welcome!
Book your spot, show proof of your dog's vaccinations, and pay in advance to secure your session.
(Psst—kids under 15 will have to sit this one out. Sorry, tiny trainers!)

Reactive Dog vs. Aggressive Dog:
What's The REAL Difference?
Reactive Dogs:
These dogs tend to overreact when something triggers them—think barking, lunging, growling, or even snapping. This behavior often stems from stress, fear, or anxiety, not from being 'bad' or 'mean.'
But Here's the Kicker:
Reactivity is a signal, not a choice. As part of effective canine reactivity training, understanding that reactivity is NOT the same as aggression is crucial, even though it can escalate into aggression if ignored.
Aggressive Dogs:
Aggression is how dogs say, 'Back off!' Growling, snarling, snapping, and biting are common expressions of discomfort or fear, sometimes related to guarding something important.
Aggression can be directed at other dogs or people. While it's part of a dog's nature, it becomes problematic if it results in someone getting hurt or if the behavior gets out of control.
Let's Break It Down Further:
🚫 Final Myth-Buster
Aggression doesn't mean your dog is an alpha power-hungry villain. Most so-called 'Alpha' dogs are anxious souls trying to protect themselves. So, let go of the stereotypes—embrace dog behavior modification to help your furry friend shine! Your dog's best self is just a little training away.
Ready to get started?
Take advantage of my FREE 30-minute dog training consultation! 👍
Options to meet once a week or every ten days. Sessions are held in the privacy of your home and neighborhood for your comfort.
Starts at $75 an hour
All ages of dogs are welcome!
Book your spot, show proof of your dog's vaccinations, and pay in advance to secure your session.
(Psst—kids under 15 will have to sit this one out. Sorry, tiny trainers!)

Freak On a Leash? Hate walking your dog?
You're not alone.
If your dog barks, lunges, spins, or pulls like a furry tornado at every dog, car, bike, person, or squirrel, walks can feel more like an extreme sport than a stroll.
Your dog isn't "bad" or "aggressive"; they're just overwhelmed!
Canine reactivity is emotional. It's all about BIG feelings—fear, excitement, frustration—bubbling over.
It's not just about "bad behavior"; it's crucial to understand what triggers your dog and engage in effective dog behavior modification to help them chill out. It's hard for your dog to maintain composure when the world feels so intense.
Ready to get started?
Take advantage of my FREE 30-minute dog training consultation! 👍
Eight 1-hour sessions available, with options to meet once a week or once every ten days. Sessions are held in the privacy of your home and neighborhood for your comfort.
Total Cost: $350
All ages of dogs are welcome!
Prerequisites:
Your dog should already know the basics—sit, stay, down, and wait. Bonus points if they listen!
Book your spot, show proof of your dog's vaccinations, and pay in advance to secure your session.
(Psst—kids under 15 will have to sit this one out. Sorry, tiny trainers!)
Take advantage of my FREE 30-minute dog walking consultation! 👍
Click the button below and fill out your contact info. Check your inbox—I'll send you a quick behavioral questionnaire focused on your dog. Fill it out and send it back.
Sit, stay, and relax—I'll review your questionnaire and call you to schedule your dog's behavioral consultation.
A dog lacking self-confidence usually exhibits fearful, anxious, or reactive behavior. Signs include cowering, tucked tails, lip-licking, or sudden lunging. You can build their confidence through positive reinforcement, structured routines, and controlled, safe exposure to new environments.
A confident dog is naturally curious, calm, and adaptable. They navigate new environments, people, and sounds without fear or hesitation. Unlike anxious or reactive dogs, they stand tall, keep their body and tail relaxed, and rarely feel the need to hide or aggressively defend themselves
DEMAND BARKING
Demand barking is a reward-driven habit in which your dog barks to get something, such as food, attention, or play. It happens because your dog has learned that barking works.
Why It Happens
Dogs try out different behaviors to get what they want. If they bark and you look at them, talk to them, or give them what they are asking for, the bark is reinforced. Over time, barking becomes their default way to ask for attention, a walk, or a treat.
Ramona the Brave reacts to ("managing") the vacuum cleaner by barking and lunging at it out of fear.
Dogs possess highly sensitive hearing and smell, making the vacuum a loud, unpredictable, and smelly "monster" in their territory.
Why Dogs React to Vacuums
Practicing "engage" and "disengage" is crucial because it teaches an anxious or reactive dog to process the presence of a new person without becoming overwhelmed. It shifts their automatic fight-or-flight response into a voluntary, calm choice, preventing the self-reinforcing cycle of barking, lunging, or snapping.
Meeting new people is a multi-step process. Marigold, her mom, and I have reached a place where Marigold is comfortable with me sitting down. The next step will be standing up and moving around the house.
Steady and slow wins the race.
The "Look at That" (LAT) game is a training exercise used to help dogs who become overly excited, reactive, or anxious. The goal is to teach your dog to spot a distracting "trigger" (like another dog or person) and then calmly look back to you for a reward, rather than barking, lunging, or fixating.
Using a faux (stuffed) dog for the "Look at That" (LAT) game is a highly effective way to train reactive or easily distracted dogs. It provides a controlled training setup that eliminates the unpredictability of real dogs, helping your pet learn to stay calm without risking an intense reaction.
Using a unique, non-confrontational sound prompt (like a quick "tss," cluck, or melodic whistle) acts as a positive interrupter. Instead of repeatedly calling your dog's name, a single sharp sound instantly resets your dog's focus, redirecting them from barking, jumping, or chewing.