About Me
Meet Canada
About Me
I am the typical “grew up with dogs” person. My childhood dogs were herding dogs, which led to a soft spot for dogs with higher enrichment needs and those more prone to reactivity. This interest is part of what lead me to graduate from UMass Boston with a Bachelors of Science in Biology, with a focus on innate Animal Behavior. The desire to better understand how animals think and learn has lead to years of study and practice and influenced how I interact and work with my own dogs.
My greatest joy in training is relieving the tension and friction between dogs and their people. I like to focus on making walks more enjoyable for everyone and finding solutions to “problem” behaviors in the home.
My Philosophy
My training style can best be described as “first do no harm.” I am a Force Free or Positive Reinforcement trainer. I believe in rewarding wanted behaviors and using management, enrichment, incompatible behaviors and patience to help with unwanted ones. I do not believe pain, fear, discomfort or intimidation are necessary in training or daily life for dogs. This approach is scientifically-supported to have the longest lasting results, be easiest to maintain for handlers, and be the healthiest for the dog, mentally.
Some behavior problems are rooted in pain or discomfort, so it is possible that I will require a vet visit to rule out any physical discomfort before working with you and your dog. This is to ensure that the dog and their needs and comfort are always being put first. If you have an elderly dog I may also recommend an in-home consult with a local specialist to ensure your dog is as comfortable as possible and supported in your home.
I am happy to work with all types of clients, but I will not use prong collars, e-collars or other adversive tools when rendering services. I can use my own equipment or help you find equipment that is more comfortable for your dog.