Dog trainer in
#295 in United States, #19 in Oregon
United States
Service areas:
Albany and surrounding area (Lebanon, Scio, Lacomb, Sweet Home, Corvallis)
CDBC, Fear Free
I work with all types and breeds of dogs, from fluffy Shih Tzus to Mastiffs and Cane Corso. I work to prevent or correct problem behaviors such as reactivity, aggression, guarding, and obsessive behaviors. I also work with puppies and adolescents to improve communication and default manners. All of our dogs are attentive and responsive, and love working with their people! I work with you in private one-on-one sessions either in your home or out and about. I also hold weekly reactive dog classes, and "puppies in the park" seasonally. For a truly enjoyable and collaborative approach to dog training and life with dogs, call me! Nothing ever felt so fun, easy and natural once you "get it"!
People frequently call me about resource guarding--dogs that may bite in the home due to conflict over bones, food, or other stuff they value (tissue papers, anyone?). Another common issue is "stranger danger" or a dog that guards their person. Does your dog bark, growl, snap or even bite strangers? Yep--we can fix that! Does your dog pull on leash, see other dogs and go crazy lunging and barking and being a total embarrassment? Yep--we got you there too! Does your dog ignore you? not listen or even run away? This is one of my favorite things to work with--we got you covered! Some of the more rare but serious issues I deal with are dog-fights in the family (dog-dog aggression in home), human directed aggression in home, and obsessive compulsive type disorders--dogs that eat everything and are a danger to themselves, dogs that spin, or cry obsessively over their ball, shadow chase, bang their heads, or flank suck. Whatever your issue, I approach it as a serious issue for you, and we work to solve it. Your issue is our passion.
I approach each dog and each consult as an individual. We start by doing a full intake evaluation, with a in-depth online questionnaire to understand more about you, your desires, and your dogs history, lifestyle, health, and food. With specific goals in mind, we develop a training plan. Our training plans are unique to you and your dog, but generally include addressing underlying health and lifestyle issues, and then an set of exercises and games which increase in difficulty as your dog (and you!) make progress and reach milestones. My training is force and coercion free. We build resilience and tolerance through repeated successful experiences. As you and your dog get better, you can expect to move from treat-based training to life and relationship-based rewards.
I became a dog trainer because I saw so many dogs being surrendered to shelters because they had a broken relationship with their people. I did rescue, spay/neuter and transport for years, and it just wasn't fixing the surrender problem. So I did something.I started the online dog training community--"Dog Training 101 community" on facebook. And I stayed up late at night, weekends and all day every day I could spare helping people. If I didn't know he answer to their problem, I found one. And then I went out and tried those solutions on my dogs, family dogs, and rescue/shelter dogs. I did a deep dive into the literature on all kinds of training. And I am convinced, through my own highly successful client base plus that of thousands of members on our free facebook group, that we can turn your relationship around... or if there is nothing wrong with your relationship with your dog, we can make it even better.My passion is making dogs, and their people, happy.
I love seeing people and their dogs succeed. I love it when I see a happy relationship blossom.
Listen to your dog. Meet his needs before he needs to "yell". Get out there and do some sniffy walks on a long line!
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.