I Put Your Dog's Needs First On Every Walk.
Before, during, or after every walk, I use positive reinforcement training with your dog so walks are fun, safe, and enriching. I specialize in helping to decrease and manage dog behavior issues during each visit such as:
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Leash reactivity towards people or other dogs
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Resource guarding
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Jumping/mouthing
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Loose leash-walking
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Impulse control issues
Private Dog Walks
I bring over a decade of dog training experience and education that allows me to quickly know what will and won't work for your dog in multiple environments and situations. When I interact with and walk your dog, above all I'm always making sure your dog is comfortable, safe, and having a good time. I may be the right dog walker for you if you:
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want to give your personalized dog care that maintains a high quality of life
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have a shy dog
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have a leash reactive dog (may bark and lunge at other dogs while on-leash)
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have a senior dog
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have a disabled dog
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love your dog and want to keep him/her emotionally, mentally, and physically healthy
As a highly sensitive person, I also really enjoy being with and "tuning in" to dogs and will notice behavioral details that the average dog walker or dog trainer may miss. Using my education, experience, and sensitivity, I can let you know causes and solutions related to why your dog is doing certain behaviors, and help you reinforce your training goals.
Walks can be on-leash in your neighborhood or off-leash in safe areas if your dog has a strong recall.
SERVING:
Richmond, El Cerrito, San Pablo, Kensington, Berkeley, Albany.
RATES:
Initial Meet 'N Greet: Phone call followed by complimentary 15-30 min visit at your home.
Private Walks: $35-60 depending on frequency and duration of walks and behavioral assessment
*Discounts available for East Richmond Heights residents and multiple dog households.
Getting Started
Before signing up for sessions with ANY dog walker, it is important to understand how they will be training and interacting with your dog to make sure it is a good fit. Below are articles and videos that show the type of positive reinforcement training I use with dogs. You can rest assured knowing that your dog is being trained with up-to-date researched methods using positive reinforcement and clicker training principles. If you feel comfortable with these methods after reviewing the information below, I'd love to hear from you to discuss setting up an Initial Meet N Greet.
Articles
by Victoria Stillwell
Most of the dog-owning public has long been misled into thinking that treating dominance is the key to solving most dog behavior problems, when the reality is quite different... Dogs are not on a quest for world domination. They are not socialized wolves who are constantly striving to be ‘top dog’ over us, and they are not hard-wired to try and control every situation.
Progressive Reinforcement Training
by Dogmantics Dog Training
A type of animal training exists that involves no forms of intimidation, confrontation, violence, reprimands, or domination. This non-violent type of training has gone under many names: “Clicker Training,” “Positive Training,” “Positive Reinforcement Training,” and “Reward Training,” among others. There is a need for a more specific, more accurate, more inspirational term.
Videos
Courtesy of Sarah Owings
Here's is a compilation of success stories and inspirational moments, showing that clicker training is not just for tricks!. Each of these dogs were trained with 100% force free, reinforcement-based strategies. No "pack leader" needed!
Courtesy of Kikopup
I can empathize with pet parents who may be thinking "I am all for positive reinforcement, but what am I supposed to do when my dog is doing something I don’t want her to do?!" A simple effective solution is to choose a positive, friendly noise that you can use to get your dog’s attention, called a positive interrupter. You can also read Choose Positive Dog Training's blog article about the Positive Interrupter.