Positive reinforcement dog training for happier, well-behaved companions.

Teaching new manners and addressing behavior problems depends on your dog's learning ability (every dog is different!) and your consistency with the homework I provide. Most homework should take no more than 10 minutes a day. After our initial session, I'll have a better sense of how many sessions we'll need to start with.

Click here for my recent blog on exactly that topic: “Why is dog training so expensive?”

I’m sorry to hear that was your experience. Dog training is an unregulated profession, so unfortunately, anyone can grab a bag of treats and call themselves a trainer. The problem is, they may not fully understand canine behavior, motivation, or have the necessary training skills to effectively work with clients.

When done by a credentialed professional, positive reinforcement—rewards-based training—is the method recommended by veterinary behaviorists and backed by research as the most effective approach for teaching manners and addressing behavior problems.

I understand that it can seem that way, but here’s the thing: if your dog is breathing, she’s eating, and therefore, she’s motivated by food. Trust me—we'll find ways to ensure your dog stays engaged with the rewards during training.

You’ll need a leash, a body harness, treats, and a hungry dog! If your dog needs extra help with loose-leash walking, I can assist with fitting your dog for a front-clip harness.

You’ll never need harsh tools like shake cans, squirt bottles, yelling, shock collars, prong collars, or physical force. Research shows that these methods often make behavior problems worse.

Full disclosure: I used choke and anti-bark spray collars on my dogs in the past, not knowing any better. If you're currently using these methods, let's talk about transitioning to more effective, humane, and enjoyable options for both you and your dog.

The science of animal learning has been around for over a century and has successfully trained animals with positive reinforcement for decades. Animals learn new behaviors in a similar way to how we learn skills like playing an instrument, performing magic tricks, driving a car, or dancing—by mastering easier steps or components and building up to the more complex skills.

I serve a large part of Southern Vermont in person (about a 20 mile radius of Townshend) and will travel outside my service area (up to an hour) for a small additional fee — for instance, I can travel to Dorset, Vermont or Swanzey, New Hampshire. Email me if you’re unsure you’re in my service area. I also provide online training services. See a map of my service area here.