Frequently Asked Questions

I’m located in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California. I can meet with you in -person in Lake Balboa, North Hills, Northridge, Chatsworth, Winnetka, Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Reseda, and Encino.

Other locations will require a travel fee.

I hold a training certification with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) which means I adhere to a code of standards and ethics (which can be found by clicking here). If I do something to your dog that is harmful, you can actually hold me accountable and I could lose my certification (not that that’s ever been a concern of mine).

I have also studied companion animal behavior for 5 years in two universities, plus all of the years of continuing education I do to this day, which means I have a foundation in canine behavior that most dog trainers do not have, and I will continue to build on this foundation for the rest of my life.

I have also worked with animals in shelters as well as in homes, in different parts of the country (and other countries) for many years, which gives me a wider range of experience to be able to help you with even the most unique behaviors.

People are often surprised when they learn how long I’ve been doing this professionally, as they have never heard of me. That’s because I have had the pleasure of living in various parts of this country, and even England, throughout my career, working mostly in animal shelters (while helping private clients and teaching group classes on the side). There’s not much glamor in the field of animal welfare, and my focus was never on social media or building a name for myself. Being on the front lines to help homeless and abused cats and dogs, and helping pet parents keep their pets, was where I put all of my efforts.

Living and working in so many different places has afforded me the opportunity to gain experiences working with all kinds of people from different backgrounds, with different types of dogs, with unique behavior problems. From helping Lurchers and Alsatians overcome their reactivity in the off-leash countryside of the UK, to rehabilitating trained fighting dogs in Philadelphia, to helping working-line Border Collies and Akbash settle into a home life in rural Idaho, all the way down to Los Angelese, now helping designer dogs overcome anxiety, I’ve seen A LOT!

So, while I may not have my own facility (yet) that locals grew up with, I have loads of knowledge and experience that I can’t wait to share with you to help you help your pets!

Think of a dog trainer as similar to a teacher of small children, and a behaviorist (or behavior counselor, or specialist) as a child psychologist. Just because a teacher is good with kids, understands them, and is able to help them learn all kinds of new things, does not mean they are able to help your child with mental illness such as anxiety, eating disorders, depression, etc. Just because a teacher lives with humans and works with them does not mean they have the level of knowledge needed to understand our complex human brains.

Just because someone grew up with dogs and may understand them better than the average pet parent does not mean they magically have the level of knowledge needed to understand the complexities of a dog’s brain and behavior. Experience is vital, yes, but so is education.

There are lots of amazing dog trainers who do take the time to learn about dog behavior, and are able to help with behavior problems. Unfortunately, many novice dog trainers are popping up these days and claim they are behaviorists, not realizing (or caring?) that the incorrect information they sell to clients is often detrimental to the client’s pet in the long run.

The dog training and behavior industry is not regulated, so people can call themselves whatever they want. I’ve been told by some professionals that I am entitled to call myself a behaviorist, due to my post-graduate degree in the field. Yet others believe that only an ACAAB or CAAB or Veterinary Behaviorist can claim that title, but there’s no written rule about it.

As such, I refer to myself as a Behavior Counselor, a Dog Trainer, and a Dog Training Instuctor.

To be as hands-off as possible, to allow the animal to choose for themselves what to do with their body, and to encourage them, using whatever is most motivating to them, to make the decisions I’d like them to make. I follow the LIMA (least invasive, minimally aversive) philosophy, and believe dogs were NOT put on this earth to please humans. They are just like the rest of us, trying to survive in this crazy world the best they can.

We force these predators to live with us, then get frustrated when they struggle to adhere to our human ways, then blame them if they fail. I do not believe it is fair to have such unrealistic expectations for our dogs and then justify harming them because “that’s how it’s always been done”. My philosophy is to respect the animal in front of you for who they are, and to use our incredibly intelligent human brains to find creative solutions to helping these animals live successfully in our complex world.

I believe that if I need to hurt an animal to get them to listen to me, then I am not a good teacher. If I cannot get the results I want without harming the animal in some way (whether physically or mentally) it does not mean I cannot help that animal. It means I need to continue pushing myself and learn new ways to help them. I am capable of learning and changing, and will not hurt your pet because it’s faster/more convenient. If you want fast results and don’t care how you get them then I am not the trainer for you.

Depending on the need, I will use a 6ft leash, flat collar or harness, a long line/leash, a head collar, muzzles, raised beds, toys, treats, treat pouches, whistles, clickers, and whatever random items that may help your dog be successful!

I do not use choke chains, prong/pinch collars, electronic shock/spray collars, invisible fences, squirt bottles, shake cans, slip leads, or anything that is meant to be unpleasant to the animal. I will not judge you for using any of these items (I used to use these myself!) but, I will expect you to work with me in trying other options to see what is most beneficial for BOTH you and your dog.

Since the dog training industry is not regulated, anyone can call themselves a dog trainer (and worse, a dog behaviorist/ dog psychologist etc.) with no legal repercussions. And since starting a dog training business can be quite cheap and quick, many people are popping up as “Expert” trainers these days. Regurgitating whatever training advice heard on TV or social media, regardless of its accuracy, can make these people sound professional to owners who are just trying to do the right thing for their pet (trust me, that’s how I started out so many years ago…).

This is why it can be beneficial to look for certain certifications from trainers (though I do admit, there are some fantastic trainers out there who choose not to get certified anywhere) as it gives you an idea of what kind of trainer they are. There are loads of different kinds of certifications, so it’s up to you to do your research and look into it, as not all certifications are created equal.

As for finding the method that’s best for your dog, well that depends on you and how you view your dog. My clients see their dogs as members of the family, a best friend, and as such they do not wish to scare or hurt their dog just to get them to comply.