I totally understand why bark collars seem tempting—they promise quick results. But I don’t recommend them. Bark collars work by punishing the behavior, which can temporarily suppress barking, but doesn’t address why your dog is barking in the first place. Dogs bark for all kinds of reasons—stress, boredom, frustration, or even just excitement—and using punishment can actually increase fear and anxiety over time. It can also harm your bond with your dog.

Instead, I help families get to the root of the behavior and teach their dogs what to do instead using positive, humane methods. That way, your dog isn’t just quieter—they’re more confident, comfortable, and understood.

Behavior modification is a science-based way to help dogs change behaviors that come from fear, anxiety, or stress—like growling, barking, or reacting aggressively. Instead of just trying to stop the behavior, we look at why it’s happening and work to change how the dog feels about the thing that’s bothering them.

Using techniques like desensitization and counter-conditioning, we gradually expose your dog to their triggers at a level they can handle—while pairing those experiences with something they love, like treats or play. Over time, they build new, positive associations, feel safer, and no longer feel the need to react.

It’s not a quick fix, but it leads to lasting, humane, and meaningful change—because it helps your dog feel better, not just behave better.

Most unwanted behaviors can be improved—or even fully resolved—through the right combination of training, behavior modification, and support. That said, every dog is different, and success depends on factors like the root cause of the behavior, the dog’s history, and how consistently the training plan is followed.

Some behaviors may take more time, patience, and creativity than others, but there’s almost always a way to make meaningful progress. My goal is to meet you and your dog where you're at and create a realistic plan that works for your life—so you’re not doing it alone.

Although I only take on very specific aggression cases, aggression in dogs is often rooted in fear, stress, or frustration. My approach involves identifying the triggers, managing the environment to reduce risk and stress, and using techniques like counter-conditioning and desensitization to help the dog feel more comfortable and confident around their triggers. For example, I might pair the presence of a trigger, like another dog at a distance, with high-value treats to create a positive association. I also teach alternative behaviors, such as looking at the handler or moving away from the trigger, to replace reactive responses. I avoid punishment, as it can escalate aggression and damage trust. Each case is carefully tailored to meet the dog’s specific needs and emotional well-being.

No, the idea that dogs misbehave to assert dominance has been debunked by modern behavioral science. Most unwanted behaviors stem from fear, frustration, confusion, or unmet needs, not a desire to take over your household. Positive reinforcement helps address the root cause of behaviors while building trust and communication.

No, rewarding your dog doesn’t make undesirable behavior worse if done correctly. It is about being proactive and timing. It is also important to understand what the root of the undesirable behavior is.

For example: comforting or rewarding your dog for behaviors like barking in response to a trigger doesn’t reinforce the barking—it addresses the underlying emotion, such as fear, and helps your dog feel better about the scary situation. Barking is often a result of a negative emotional response, like fear, and to a dog, barking is a way to get the scary thing to go away. By rewarding or comforting them, you're helping them feel more relaxed and less fearful, not reinforcing the barking. Think of it like comforting a child who is crying because they’re scared of thunder—comforting them doesn’t reinforce the crying, it helps the child feel better and reduces their distress.

No, punishment often suppresses behaviors temporarily but doesn’t address the underlying cause. Positive methods like rewarding calm behavior, teaching alternative actions, and managing the environment are more effective and humane.

Dogs labeled as “stubborn” are often confused, fearful, or unmotivated. Instead of being firmer, focus on understanding why your dog is struggling and adjusting your training approach. Use higher-value rewards, simplify the task, or work in a less distracting environment.

Growling is a form of communication that signals discomfort or fear. Punishing a growl teaches your dog to suppress their warning signals, which can lead to sudden, unprovoked aggression. It’s better to listen to this form of communication from them, address the cause of their discomfort and build their confidence.

What looks like guilt in dogs is actually a response to your body language or tone of voice. The behaviors you may interpret as "guilt"—such as avoiding eye contact, cowering, or moving to a corner—are actually appeasement behaviors. Your dog is sensing that you’re upset and is trying to diffuse the situation by showing submission. They’re not feeling guilty, but rather trying to communicate that they are not a threat and are seeking reassurance from you.

Just fill out the contact form on my website, then schedule your initial consultation. During that first session, we’ll chat about your dog’s unique personality, any challenges you're facing, and your goals. From there, we’ll come up with a plan and get your sessions on the calendar.

You’ll have one-on-one support the whole way through, using positive, humane training methods that help your dog thrive—and help you feel confident, connected, and supported.

I totally understand why that feels confusing—it’s natural to want to correct your dog 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.

Sometimes what looks like “bad” behavior—like growling—is actually your dog trying to tell you they feel scared or uncomfortable. Growling is their way of saying, “I need space” or “I’m feeling worried.” Instead of punishing that, it’s really important to listen and help them feel safe.

Instead of saying “no,” I focus on helping you teach your dog 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 consistency and patience to help your dog succeed.

Yes! And you're not alone. Many of the dogs I work with have had long term reactivity. It's not about quick fixes, its about building trust and changing habits over time. Progress is possible and I'll guide you through it, at your dog's pace.