About
Hi! Thanks for taking the time to read this. I'll get straight to the point about how I train. I have trained hundreds of dogs, if not more. 92 percent , needed only one session. Those with behavioral problems included. Not because I'm so amazing or have any magic prowess, but because I truly studied canine behavior, cognition and psychology. I can watch what they are doing and figure out why, how to deal with what's happening, and show you and thouroghly explain why your dog is presenting the behavior. I would like to tell you , it's not as bad as you think. Many "bad and unwanted " behaviors are due to us. We love our dogs so much, and it can feel personal when they bite us or our kids, or destroy our house when we are doing our very best. It's also maddening! Dogs don't talk to each other, yet we talk to them all day , everyday. So when they don't respond , even after , say.. a puppy obedience class, what should you do?? They use over 1,100 body language signals to communicate with each other and try to with you. It's like asking you to smell color. You can't. Simply put , my son came home and eighth grade with a new way the school was teaching math, I told him I had no business trying to teach this to him as I had never seen it done this way and told him he needed to find a tutor. It's the same when it comes to professional dog training you can love your dog with all your heart, but sometimes it's OK to just say I don't know what else to do I need help! It shouldn't involve board and trains because your dog is going to show their truest behavior at home and I can see how your interaction is helping or not so much helping. I don't leave until we've covered everything you are having concerns about. Barking, biting, digging, separation anxiety, which is actually very often misdiagnosed as something completely different. Please know I absolutely despise asking people for references and I've been hired here over 30 times but I don't hit the button after the session asking for praise. It just makes me uncomfortable. I do however have many clients whom I trained ( their dogs) for generations and through a reputable vet with over 35,000 clients that I was the training manager of who are happy to give you references. Thanks and I hope to be able to translate for you and your furbaby soon. I do have one exception. I will not work with ANYONEwho beats their dog. I know some people bop a dog on the nose for biting. That's not the answer, I can fix that. I'm talking about slamming or kicking your dog. Please don't get me wrong, I've held some dog's scruff in self defense and I've had more than 6 surgeries for severe bites. Now I carry falconer gloves, that do no good anyway😂. I just got better at reading who was actually aggressive vs. fearful. Please know I never charge for phone time before or after you hire me. Thank you so very much for your time and if I could leave you with one piece of advice, ask for credentials and proof of them!!!
Specialties
Length of sitting
Frequency of sitting
Type of pets
Number of pets
Requested services
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Reviews
Amelia K.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I always speak to each new potential client for usually 15-25 minutes to get a good understanding of what they are looking for as a result from training. I want to make sure I am very clear about how I train and that I will never force any product or tools on your dog you aren't comfortable with. I also want to explain what you can do to get ready for our visit to save time and get you practicing with your dog and to give you some tips to start on until I can get there!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have worked with a private facility that that trains military and police and personal protection dogs, that are also just part of the family. I train dogs from shelters and rescues to rehabilitate them and make sure they are safe to go into family homes. I also work for a large veterinary practice with over 30,000 clients as their head trainer.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your services? If so, please share the details here.
My pricing is a flat rate of 100.00 per hour. That includes travel and mileage. If there is more than one dog it's an additional 50 dollars per dog.
How did you get started in this business?
I got started in this business by working as a veterinary assistant at 19 and seeing animals that I could calm down and reassure during procedures that would otherwise need sedation. I started wondering if I could further educate myself in animal behavior and psychology to save dogs from being left at shelters or being euthanized for no other reason than they just needed patience and guidance. I've never stopped learning and never will. All dogs teach us something.
What types of customers have you worked with?
I have worked with every kind of client. From people needing puppy training and nutrition advice, to severe anxiety and aggression issues.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I recently had the honor of saving 2 dogs from being re-homed because they were fighting with each other and were also other dog/ human aggressive. I was able to work the owner and figure out where their issues were really coming from and now they are happily all living together.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a pro in your area of expertise?
I would strongly recommend that to any client to not hire anyone who makes you buy a package. I know larger companies do this for income but my goal is to help as many clients as possible without wasting your time or money. I would also recommend not going with a trainer who only uses shock collars or makes you buy one. They can be effective when used correctly and in a non painful manner but they aren't right for every dog. Also I would wary of anyone who doesn't explain the "why" behind the training. It's essential to understand how to train and the training lasting. Anyone can make a dog "sit", but it's the method of trainig that will help you to communicate with your dog and have it work when your dog is not on a leash.
What questions should customers think through before talking to pros about their needs?
A client should ask the trainers' background. Why do you do this? What if I have issues when you leave? Should I use treats or praise or clickers? There is no wrong or silly question. This is your pet. You should be totally comfortable and confident in who you have coming to work with your pet.