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
Partake of the expertise of an experienced, multi-credentialed professional with a commitment to continuing education.
Using gentle, effective approaches your dog will behave better, and you both will feel relief.
"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: $210 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.
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.
I aim to 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
I'll teach you 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.
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.
Option 1:
Let me do the training for you
Simplify your life: let a certified trainer do the training
1.
I'll come to your home
2 days a week to train for 1/2 hour.
2.
At the end of each week we'll meet to show you how to maintain and employ what your dog has learned.
2.
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.
3.
Two followup sessions are included to fine-tune and maintain results.
Packages start at $980 + tax
for 4 weeks of training plus two followup sessions.
Option 2:
Private coaching
Enjoy economy and bonding time
1.
I'll come to your home for 1-hour sessions to:
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get the behaviors started
-
coach you on how to practice & develop them.
Packages start at $388 plus tax for 3 weeks of coaching
"Wendy is so helpful, we highly recommend!"
Annie for Toski
Specialized Training and Coaching Packages
Enjoyable Walks and Harmony in the Home
Enjoyable Walks
It can be scary and embarrassing when your dog barks and lunges at passing dogs. We can help!
Our 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: $210
Packages start at $388
“Wendy is amazing at what she does."
Alex for Ellie
A Welcome from your Trainer
In my 24+ years 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
Credentials and professional affiliations
