Help for your dog's behavior problems
Transform stressful and stressed-out dogs into enjoyable companions with the help of a dog behavior specialist
Does your dog bark & lunge at strangers or other dogs?
Does your dog hide or cower at the least little thing?
You probably have big feelings about this too.
You don’t know what to do.
You wish you could just relax and enjoy life together with your dog.
Experience relief:
for you, and for your dog with big feelings
You can go from:
Embarrassment at people thinking your dog is aggressive
TO
Pride in your calm, attentive dog
Fear of what might happen
TO
Confidence to deal with situations
Sorrow for your fearful dog's distress
TO
Enjoyment of life shared with your dog
Enjoy a personalized approach to your unique situation
Rely with confidence on an experienced, multi-credentialed professional with a commitment to continuing education.
Enjoy gentle, effective approaches that bring relief for you and your dog.
"Wendy is amazing at what she does."
Alex for Ellie
Consultation
Because every case is unique, we begin with a consultation (approximately 90 minutes) to learn about your situation in depth.
If you live in or near Lexington, I come to you to address the problem where it occurs
(Wherever you are, I can help via live online sessions).
I'll learn the details of your situation, your dog's personality & behavior.
What to expect:
I'll advise on measures you can take to prevent problems and maximize safety.
We'll map out a plan that makes sense to you and start foundation training.
Consultation: $240 plus tax.
For certain cases, we may request collaboration with your veterinarian and sometimes a veterinary behavior specialist to make sure that problems possibly related to pain or other health issues are properly addressed.
Training and coaching packages
I offer a variety of package structures for differing behavior change needs.
General Problems
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Fearful behavior
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Problem barking
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Destructive behavior
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Growling and snapping
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Aggressively guarding resources such as food or resting places
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and more!
How long will it take?
The size of the training package depends on many factors.
I'll recommend a package based on what I learn during the consult.
What methods are used?
My priority is to minimize stress and anxiety for dogs and people, and keep things as simple as possible.
1. Identify and minimize underlying causes of unwanted behavior.
You'll learn simple methods for minimizing any stress in your dog's life that might contribute to problem behaviors.
2. Maximize communication to minimize unwanted surprises
You'll learn to understand your dog's attempts to communicate their emotional state through subtle body language signals.
3. Teach preferred habits
We'll use simple and force-free training games to teach your dog any skills that may be needed to replace problem behaviors with acceptable behaviors.
(see examples of trained skills for health care and grooming)
If you're keeping enough balls in the air already...
Let me take care of the training!
I can teach your dog the needed skills and then teach you how to maintain what your dog has learned.
"Wendy is so helpful, we highly recommend!"
Annie for Toski
Packages for general behavior problems
All packages begin with a consultation
We'll meet to define goals tailored to your needs, decide on a training plan and possibly start some training.
($240 plus tax)
Package Option 1:
I'll do the training for you
Simplify your life by letting a certified trainer do the training
I'll come to your home to train your dog (1/2 hour, 2 days a week for 4 weeks).
At the end of each week I'll show you how to maintain and employ what your dog has learned.
Package Option 2:
Private coaching
Enjoy economy and bonding time
I'll come to your home to:
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get the behaviors started
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coach you on how to practice & develop them.
6 one-hour sessions:
$750 plus tax.
Two followup sessions are included to fine-tune and maintain results.
Basic package: $980 + tax
Deluxe package (includes 1/2 hour play & enrichment per training visit): $1680 plus tax
Are you interested in DIY options? You can find quality guidance on my "Resources for self-study" page.
Building your dog's stress resilience can make training easier. Download our free workbook to learn about tips and games that can help.
Enjoyable Walks & Harmony in the Home
Specialized Training and Coaching Packages
Enjoyable Walks
It can be scary and embarrassing when your dog barks and lunges at passing dogs. I can help!
My program coaches you through a progression of fun games to teach excitable dogs to relax and cope with distractions in public.
Your dog will learn to:
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stop acting aggressive.
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walk politely on leash instead of dragging you,
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turn away from or ignore dogs, moving objects such as cars and bicycles, and other distractions.
You will learn:
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How to help your dog cope with triggering situations.
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How to recognize the ealiest signs that your dog needs help, so you can keep things from getting out of hand.
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Skills for getting away from situations that catch you by surprise.
How does it work?
Every team learns at their own pace. Our system of gradual challenges provides opportunities to experience steps of success on the way to your goal of calm, drama-free walks.
"...we are happy and impressed, and we feel confident..."
Mark for Hershey
Harmony in the Home
Welcoming a new pet or fearful dog into your family
Bringing a new pet into the home doesn't always go as smoothly as you hoped. You're excited about the newcomer, but...
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the pet in residence is not impressed: They find the puppy annoying, the cat too exciting, or they just don't want to share.
OR
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you're not able to get near your rescued dog because they're so fearful.
The last thing you want is sadness, hiding, or even fighting, injuries or escaping.
The path to trust
I'll help optimize the introduction process by:
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Advising on strategies to minimize stress for everyone and maximize the safety of any pets who might be targets for harassment.
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Introducing training games that teach pets skills to reduce conflict.
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Teaching you methods to build the confidence and resilience of a fearful dog.
What's the process?
The size of package you will need depends on the dispositions of the pets and the training foundations already in place. We can recommend packages once we have met and assessed the situation.
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Sometimes a single consult is sufficient to lay out a plan for keeping the new puppy from provoking the resident dog.
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Sometimes a small package of coaching is needed to teach the pets appropriate manners towards one another.
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For more complex cases where a very patient, gradual approach is required, we offer the option to blend in-person coaching with regular, brief followups via video conference (If you prefer an entirely in-person package, we're happy to oblige).
How much does it cost?
Initial Consult: $240
Packages start at $388
“Wendy is amazing at what she does."
Alex for Ellie
A Welcome from your Trainer
In more than two decades of dog training I’ve loved the evolution towards developing strategies to promote two-way communication and prioritize the emotional welfare of our dogs.
You can learn how to see what your dog is telling you they need. When you create space for them to communicate, and make simple accommodations to provide for those needs, it becomes so much easier to teach them how you’d like them to behave.
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing frustration replaced by mutual delight. Together we will create solutions to fulfill both your needs.
I look forward to sharing this journey with you.
Wendy
What our clients are saying
"We are very grateful..."
"...working with you allowed us to appreciate Bob’s complicated/unknown past and fully accept that he’s not at all the same as his older brother.
We are very grateful for the understanding and the skills you taught us."
Lindsay for Bob
Bob (left) & Mollie (right) practice calm walking on a quiet street.
"I could not be happier"
"Wendy is amazing at what she does. I contacted her about 3 months ago for help with my golden retriever puppy's anxiety and fear-aggression ... it was clear that she is passionate for helping dogs. She truly cares.
...we received some basic behavioral training as well as tips and tricks for making the world a little less scary
She is incredibly responsive to texts and emails, offers excellent advice, and always follows up with resources (videos, links, etc.). I could not be happier that we have chosen to train with Wendy, and recommend her to anyone. "
Alex for Ellie
Ellie has transformed from a fearful puppy to a confident dog who enjoys going places with her family.
"We are so happy Wendy was able to help us improve her life!"
"Wendy is so helpful, we highly recommend! We rescued a VERY undersocialized dog who was a flight risk and terrified of any human - so bad we had to keep a leash on her at all times for her first few months with us because we couldn’t get close enough to her to put it on. But Wendy helped us overcome this hurdle and many, many more!
Now our dog is a happy, confident dog... she is extremely comfortable with my family and me. And we’re able to give her all the pets and love she deserves."
Annie for Toski
Ready to sign up? Still have questions?
You can connect with me via my contact form using the button below
Got Questions? We’re Here to Help!
Don't see what you're looking for below? Feel free to reach out!
Questions about behavior help
What kind of behavior problems do you work with?
I specialize in helping with a wide range of troubling behaviors, including barking and lunging on leash, fearfulness and anxiety, resource guarding (threatening behaviors around food, objects, a person, or resting spots), difficulty with handling for grooming or health care, destructive behavior, growling, snapping, and difficulty introducing new pets into the home.
How do your methods help with emotional issues like fear or aggression?
I prioritize reducing stress for both you and your dog. My approach focuses on three core steps: 1) Minimizing underlying stress in your dog's environment, 2) Improving communication by teaching you how to read subtle body language, and 3) Teaching replacement habits using fun, force-free games to build calm, alternative behaviors.
How do I know how many sessions or what size package my dog will need?
Because behavior change depends on factors like severity, environment, and your dog's disposition, I'll suggest a package size following our initial consultation. During this visit, I'll assess your dog’s unique needs and propose a clear, step-by-step plan.
What's included in the Enjoyable Walks package for leash reactivity?
The Enjoyable Walks package is designed for dogs who bark, lunge, or pull on leash at dogs, people, bicycles, or cars. It includes an initial consultation, 3 in-home sessions to build foundational focus and coping skills, and 6 half-hour outdoor coaching sessions in real-world environments to practice turning away from distractions calmly.
Can you help if my resident dog and new pet are not getting along?
Yes! The Harmony in the Home program helps smooth out introductions of new puppies, cats, or newly adopted rescue dogs. We evaluate the dynamics, implement safety strategies to prevent conflict, and guide you through training games that build mutual tolerance and trust.
Train-for-you services (for problems not involving aggression or fear of the trainer)
Do I need to be home during sessions?
No! That is a big benefit of Day Training. I work with your dog while you are at work, running errands, or focusing on your day. You only need to be present for the scheduled weekly "transfer sessions" where we review what your dog has learned, and I show you how to maintain those behaviors. You are, however, welcome to observe the training sessions if you wish.
How do you handle house access if I’m at work?
We coordinate secure access arrangements during our initial consultation. Many clients provide a key code, smart lock access, or a key left in a secure lockbox. As an insured and bonded professional, keeping your home and pet secure is a top priority.
How will I know what my dog is learning?
After every session, you’ll receive a brief email or text report highlighting what we worked on, how your dog performed, and any quick management tips. Plus, our weekly hands-on transfer sessions ensure you stay fully in the loop.
Coaching Services
Who in the family should participate in sessions?
Anyone who lives in the home or frequently interacts with your dog is welcome to join! Having all family members on the same page creates consistency. This helps your dog learn much faster. Interested children are welcome to participate under adult supervision.
How much do I need to practice between visits?
Consistency beats duration. We recommend short, light-hearted 5-to-10-minute practice sessions once or twice a day. Fitting these micro-sessions into your normal routine (like before meals or during walks) helps training fit seamlessly into your day.
What equipment do I need to have ready for our first session?
Necessary equipment will depend on what we’re working on.
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For on-leash training, I require a standard leash (no retractable flexi-lines, please) and prefer that your dog wears an ergonomically correct harness. We’ll discuss specifics at the initial consultation.
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You’ll need a generous supply of training treats. If your dog is an eager eater, we can use part of their daily kibble ration for basic teaching. For distraction training and other challenging situations, you’ll need small, soft, high-value treats. It can be helpful to rank your dog’s interest in a variety of treats, ranging from packaged treats to diced meat (e.g., hot dogs or chicken) and cheese.
Credentials and professional affiliations
