top of page
4C8A4991.jpg
RF-pattern_edited_edited.png

Behavior Modification & Training

Compassionate Dog Training for Positive Change
in Sonoma, CA

What will we work on?

This training is tailored to address your dog’s specific behavior needs. While the focus is personalized, the following are common areas of need:

  • Fear and Anxiety: Your dog may be fearful of loud noises, unfamiliar places, or new people.

  • Over-excitement: Your dog may have difficulty calming down or may get over-stimulation quickly.

  • Jumping up: In doggie culture, jumping up makes a lot of sense, but it’s not typically appreciated in human culture! 

  • Resource Guarding: Your dog may stiffen, growl, snap, or bite when guarding food, toys, or personal space.

  • Reactivity: Your dog may bark, lunge, or pull towards other dogs, people, or various stimuli.​

  • Basic Skills: Your dog may not be a puppy, but essential foundational skills might be missing!​

  • Leash Walking: Your dog may pull on leash to the point that it feels like they've forgotten you're on the other end of the leash!​

  • Recall: Wishing your dog would come to you when you call them? It is scary when they don't!

  • Dog-Dog Play Assessment: Assessing your dog’s play style and social behavior to help you understand what appropriate dog play looks like and ensure positive interactions with other dogs.

View recent photos.jpeg
IMG_9634.HEIC

Lydia and I cuddling on my last day of work on the Behavior and Training Team at SF Animal Care and Control. 

How does it work?

Day Training:

Day training is ideal for busy owners— I’ll handle the initial training and lay the foundation, while you focus on practicing manageable skills between sessions, helping you stay informed and connected to your dog’s progress.

  • Initial Consultation: A conversation to discuss your goals, learn more about your dog’s behavior, create a plan, and schedule our sessions. $195.

  • Schedule: I’ll work with your dog directly, typically 2–3 times per week, depending on the behavior we’re addressing.​​ Once a week, I’ll work with you to ensure you feel confident continuing the progress at home.​

  • Packages: Most plans require 8–16 training sessions spread over 4–8 weeks​

  • Rate: $165/session

Coaching:

A collaborative option for owners eager to take an active role in training. Through weekly sessions, we’ll work together to build foundational skills and I’ll coach you every step of the way to help you confidently address your dog’s behavior challenges.

  • Initial Consultation: A conversation to discuss your goals, learn more about your dog’s behavior, create a plan, and schedule our sessions. $195.

  • Schedule: We will meet once or twice a week and work together on addressing your dog's behavioral challenges. 

  • Packages: Sessions are set up in packages. 3 sessions, 5, 7, 10 or 12.

  • Rates: Rates start at $195/session, with the per-session rate decreasing as the package size increases.

*Depending on the area of need, I may recommend one training format over the other. 

With Rebecca's help in just 5 sessions (spread over about 3 months) we were able to: improve Nemo's recall off leash, significantly reduce reactivity on leash, teach him how to relax at home, help him redirect his excitement to mitigate the jumping/nipping, and we can brush him daily by implementing some "opt-in" strategies that Rebecca taught us. The best thing about working with Rebecca is the sense of empowerment we feel. She gave us the tools to help Nemo and patiently showed us how to use them. Now we have a solid framework with which to move forward and tackle new problems as they arise."

-Nemo's dad

"

Connecting With Rebecca

  1. Fill out the Contact Form

  2. Schedule the Initial Consultation

  3. Sign up for the package of your choice

  4. Begin your journey towards relief! 

A wet and sandy Shepherd mix dog laying at attention, wearing a bright colored harness.
Contact Form
What service are you interested in?
Puppy Support Program
Behavior Modification and Training
Cooperative Care
Which training format caught your eye?

Contact Form

In this session, we’ll dive into your dog’s history, discuss your training goals, and set clear expectations while making sure we’re a great fit to work together. I’ll assess your dog’s needs and gather the key details needed to design a personalized training plan. From there, we’ll explore the training package that best fits your goals, setting you up with a clear path forward to success.

  • What is covered in the Puppy Support Program?
    The Puppy Support Program is designed to support you through the ups and downs of puppyhood. We’ll focus on real-life skills like polite greetings, leash walking, coming when called, and how to handle nipping, chewing, and all those normal-but-challenging puppy moments. Every pup is different, so we’ll tailor the plan to your needs—and make sure you always know what to work on, when, and how. You’ll get expert coaching and a solid plan, so you can feel confident and connected as your puppy grows.
  • How do I stop my puppy from biting and nipping?
    Puppy nipping is totally normal—it’s how puppies explore the world! But that doesn’t mean you have to live with tiny shark teeth forever. In the Puppy Support Program, I’ll show you how to respond in the moment, how to teach gentle mouths over time, and what to do when it feels like nothing is working. We’ll focus on age-appropriate strategies to reduce biting, build self-regulation, and teach your puppy what to do instead—all without fear or force.
  • What’s the best way to socialize my puppy?
    Socialization is all about helping your puppy learn that the world is a safe, fun place. That means gently introducing them to new people, dogs, sights, and sounds before fear has a chance to take hold. In the Puppy Support Program, I’ll guide you through what good socialization really looks like (hint: it’s not just meeting other dogs at the park!) and help you build positive associations at your puppy’s pace—so they grow into a confident, resilient adult dog.
  • How do I teach my puppy to come when called?
    Teaching a solid recall starts with making “coming to you” the best part of your puppy’s day! In the Puppy Support Program, we use games, movement, and rewards to build a super strong association with your recall cue. You'll learn how to get your puppy running toward you with enthusiasm—because they want to, not because they have to. It’s one of the most important safety skills, and we’ll make it fun to teach and practice.
  • How can I prevent my puppy from resource guarding?
    Puppies are still learning how the world works, and it’s natural for them to feel unsure about sharing. In the Puppy Support Program, you’ll learn simple, proactive ways to build trust and confidence around food, toys, and other high-value items—so your puppy learns there’s no need to guard them. It’s all about helping your puppy trust you, feel safe and supported from the start.
  • What are the most important cues to teach a puppy?
    Foundational cues like “sit,” “down,” “stay,” “drop it,” and “touch” aren’t just helpful in daily life—they’re also stepping stones for teaching more complex behaviors later on. In the Puppy Support Program, we focus on building these essential skills in a way that’s fun and easy for both you and your pup. They set the stage for clear communication and lifelong learning.
  • How do I stop my puppy from chewing on everything?
    Chewing is totally normal for puppies—it’s how they explore the world and soothe teething discomfort. In the Puppy Support Program, we focus on management strategies to prevent unwanted chewing before it happens. That includes setting up your home in a way that limits access to tempting items, offering plenty of appropriate chew options, and teaching you how to redirect your puppy’s attention when needed. You'll also learn how to keep your puppy mentally engaged and meet their chewing needs in a way that supports their development (and protects your stuff!).
  • What if my puppy hasn’t finished their vaccinations? Can they still be socialized?
    Yes! Early socialization is incredibly important—even before your puppy has completed all their vaccinations. In the Puppy Support Program, I guide you through safe and intentional ways to expose your puppy to new people, sounds, surfaces, and experiences during their critical socialization window. You'll learn how to build your pup’s confidence while still protecting their health.
  • Why is professional puppy training important?
    Puppyhood is a crucial time for socialization and habit-building. Being proactive during this period helps set the foundation for a well-adjusted, confident adult dog—and prevents many common behavior problems before they even start. Just like you’d turn to a doctor for health concerns or a plumber for a leak, it makes sense to trust a certified, positive reinforcement-based dog trainer to guide your puppy’s early development. Working with a qualified professional ensures your pup gets the right start, helping you build a strong bond and setting your dog up for lifelong success.
  • When should I start potty training my puppy?
    Potty training should begin as soon as you bring your puppy home! Starting early helps your puppy learn quickly where you want them to go. Success comes from a combination of consistent management and positive reinforcement. The Puppy Support Program will guide you step-by-step to make this process as smooth as possible!
  • How much should I feed my puppy?
    The amount of food depends on your puppy's breed, age, and activity level. Consulting with a veterinarian can help determine the appropriate portion sizes and feeding schedule!
  • Don’t I need to be the “alpha” to train my dog effectively?
    Nope! The idea that you need to be an “alpha” or “pack leader” comes from outdated research on captive wolves—research that has actually been thoroughly debunked. Wolves in the wild live in cooperative family groups, and dogs, thanks to thousands of years of domestication, are quite different behaviorally from wolves. Dogs learn best through positive reinforcement, trust, and clear communication—not intimidation or dominance. If someone tells you that you need to be the “alpha,” they’re relying on old myths rather than science-based methods. Modern training is all about building a strong, trustworthy relationship and teaching your dog what you want with kind and effective techniques.
  • How will my puppy know they've done something bad if I don't say "no" or reprimand them?
    I totally understand why that feels confusing—it’s natural to want to correct your puppy when they do something wrong. The truth is, dogs don’t really see behavior as “good” or “bad” like we do. They learn best through gentle, clear communication and consistent guidance. Instead of saying “no,” I focus on helping you teach your puppy what you do want them to do and setting up their environment so those unwanted behaviors are less likely to happen. It’s all about working together with clear boundaries, consistency and patience to help your puppy succeed.
  • Is my puppy trying to dominate me or be the alpha?
    Nope! Even though it may feel like it, your puppy isn’t trying to dominate you. The idea of dominance comes from outdated research on wolves and doesn’t apply to dogs the way many people think. Puppies are simply learning how to behave and testing boundaries as part of their development. What looks like “dominance” is usually normal puppy behavior like playfulness, curiosity, or seeking attention. Instead of dominance, focus on teaching your puppy clear, consistent boundaries using positive reinforcement. This helps build a trusting relationship and encourages cooperation without fear or confusion.
bottom of page