I strive to support my clients through teaching them training techniques that emphasize a healthy relationship between them and their dog(s). My training style focuses on providing consistent criteria to the dog for each given situation, creating a training context that the dog readily wants to engage in, and helping facilitate cooperation between the dog and its owner. I always do my best to evaluate my training solutions using the LIMA approach. This means that I’ll try the Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive method to teach your dog whatever it needs to know prior to trying any other technique. I’ve found that this results in a more reliable, long-lasting impact on a dog’s behavior than other styles or training I’ve utilized or seen other people use in the past.

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Throughout all of my internships, classes, training jobs, and experience with my own dogs the most important thing I've learned is: the effort and consistency you put into your dog is going to be one of the biggest determining factors in how workable your problem is. I believe that the training tools you use should be ones you're comfortable with. This is the best way to ensure consistency. It makes it easy for you to conceptualize what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and keeps it simple so you have the confidence to continue to pursue training.

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The second most important thing I’ve learned is: even the most hopeless cases can often be helped. I work with owners on building a relationship with their dogs that is based on trust and cooperation. A strong relationship with your dog is the foundation for successful rehabilitation of whatever issues your dog might be experiencing. If your dog trusts you then it makes it a whole lot easier to convince them to do something with you. For this reason, I favor training methods that are based in consent and reward. After all, who would want to go to work if they had no choice in what happened to them while they were there and also weren't paid for their time? 

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Every dog has a unique personality and every client has a unique relationship with their dog, so I don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all” training solutions. While there are definitely techniques that work well for just about every dog, not all owners will be able to use those techniques. Maybe you’re wheelchair bound or can’t bend over because of back pain. That would make it kind of hard to get your dog to lay down on the ground by having them follow a treat you're holding in your hand. So, while it might work for the dog, it might not work for you.  I want to give each of my clients a training protocol that's tailored to their specific needs, whatever those needs are.