FOR
DOGS
LIKE
VALOR
company ethos
At the heart of my passion lies a dedication to the world of canine companions, where love meets expertise. As an ethical dog trainer I utilize punishment when necessary as well as play, food, and praise as a means of reinforcement. My biggest goal is not that your dog’s “issues” are fixed, but rather that your dog feels good inside. Please take time to read “my story” using the button below to find out more about who I am and how I began this journey.
1. THE LANGUAGE: MARKERS, MOTIVATION, AND SHAPING
I start with a positive first foundation because I want to build a clear line of communication from day one. I use food to build high food drive, establish marker systems, and shape behaviors by rewarding small wins as the dog learns. This isn't about using food as a bribe to lure a dog around; it is about teaching the dog how to think and defining the Yes. But I am also a realist. If we stop at rewards, we are just making requests. The second the environment offers something more exciting than a piece of kibble, a dog without a complete language is going to choose the environment over you. We build the foundation with food, but we do not rely on it for real world reliability.
2. THE BACKBONE: RELATIONAL ENGAGEMENT
A dog that wants to work with you is the core of everything I do. I do not want a dog that feels forced into a command; I want a partner that is plugged in. I use play to build a relationship where the dog consistently chooses to engage with me because the work itself is rewarding. This is the backbone of my method. But even the best relationship has its limits. Instinct and environment are powerful, and there will always be moments where a dog's desire to listen is not enough to keep them safe. That is where we have to go a step further.
3. THE SAFETY NET: ACCOUNTABILITY AND CLARITY
To get to true off leash freedom, a command has to be an obligation, not a suggestion. This is my Adaptive Training Outlook in practice: providing the black and white clarity a dog needs to actually be safe in the world. When a dog chooses a distraction over a command, we provide a fair No through boundaries and corrections. If the communication breaks down, I will remove the dog from the situation to focus on the groundwork, such as conditioning a specific word to mean food for focus. It is not about being harsh; it is about providing the discipline and clarity required to handle the unpredictability of the real world.
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT ONLY?
Virtual & IN PERSON Services we offer
Puppy and/or kid training
$60/ Session Online - $100 IN PERSON
Having a 3 year old of my own, I know it’s not always the dog’s fault (it almost never is). Navigating this in the beginning was a challenge. Having gone through that, I can now share with you what I’ve learned. These lessons are designed for help with either kid to dog interactions or puppy training ages 8-16 weeks!
obedience & companionship
$60/ Session Online - $100/ In Person
Sit, down, recall, play, body language, place, socialization, grooming, feeding, sport training, YOU NAME IT! Even if I’ve never done it, I will learn and I will help you. All that matters is to me, is that you have a goal in mind for you and your dog.
Behavior Modification
$100/ Session Online - $150/ in person
This section is for the dogs with triggers. Somewhere along the way, your dog decided it didn’t like something. Whether this is people, dogs, or the blow dryer that then either causes fear, aggression, or lack of confidence… I’m ready to get to the bottom of it along side you.
IN MY HOME training
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A two week board and train for dogs who haven’t shown aggression, with focus on obedience and any in home, day to day issues. Great for puppies too!
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Just like the foundations package, but three weeks long instead. In that extra week, your dog will have several real world outings where they apply their skills to busier, crowded places that you yourself might want to take your dog. They will also have the foundations of off leash recall training as well.
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The package that the business was built for. A four week board and train for the dogs who have aggression, extreme reactivity, and/or maladaptive arousal (severe anxiety) .
All packages will require the purchase of an E collar: the educator collar. You will purchase the collar through me since I receive a heavy discount. All other tools are not included, and you will have to purchase those separately once your dog’s training is over.
Controversial Hot takes:
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1. Your dog should meet as many people as possible (Disagree)
Quality of exposure matters more than quantity; forced interactions often lead to over-stimulation or reactivity rather than true neutrality.
2. You can’t correct something that hasn’t first been taught (Disagree)
While new skills require a teaching phase, certain natural behaviors or dangerous choices can be addressed through boundaries even before formal "commands" are mastered.
3. My dog understands me when I raise my voice (Disagree)
Dogs are masters of reading energy and body language; a loud voice usually creates confusion or stress rather than clear communication.
4. Prong collars are more friendly to a dog's neck than a slip-leash (Agree)
Prong collars distribute pressure evenly around the neck, whereas a slip-lead can put intense, concentrated pressure on the trachea.
5. A new language can be taught to a dog (Agree)
Dogs are capable of learning complex associations and can be taught entirely new communication systems through consistent feedback and rewards.
6. Consistency is everything (Agree)
Structure relies on "black and white" rules; a lack of consistency is the primary cause of confusion and behavioral setbacks in dogs.
7. Some dogs cannot be fixed due to genetics, and management may be the only way to navigate forward (Agree)
Accepting the biological reality of a dog’s DNA allows for a realistic management plan that prioritizes safety and the dog's actual capabilities.
8. Harnesses are great for some things, terrible for teaching a dog not to pull (Agree)
Harnesses are designed for comfort during activity but often trigger a dog’s natural instinct to pull against pressure, making leash manners harder to teach.
9. ...but she/he was probably abused so we'll go about this differently (Disagree)
Focusing on a dog's past "trauma" often prevents owners from addressing the behavior happening in the present, which is what the dog actually needs.
10. Don’t let your dog seek you for comfort (Disagree)
A dog should view their handler as a source of security; providing comfort builds a stronger bond and helps the dog decompress in stressful situations.
11. Use the (LIMA) lowest level tool needed for dog (Disagree)
We should use the tool most effective for the human; an owner with physical limitations or less experience needs a tool that grants them immediate control and safety.
12. Kennel / Crate create control, structure, & security into a dog's routine (Agree)
A crate serves as a vital management tool that mimics a natural den, providing a safe space for a dog to rest and stay out of trouble.
13. Dogs will learn if we push past their threshold or arousal (Disagree)
When a dog is pushed into a "red zone" of panic, aggression, or high arousal, their ability to process information and learn new behaviors shuts down completely.
14. Dog parks are okay sometimes (Disagree)
The unpredictable nature of dog parks makes them high-risk environments where one bad interaction can cause permanent behavioral damage.
15. Treats solve 99% of problems (Disagree)
Food is an excellent motivator for teaching tricks, but it rarely addresses deep-seated issues like genetic aggression or high-intensity reactivity.
16. E-collars are cruel (Disagree)
When used with proper education, e-collars are sophisticated communication tools that offer dogs a level of off-leash freedom they couldn't otherwise have.
17. Dogs can't learn when stressed (Disagree)
Mild, controlled stress is actually a component of learning that helps dogs develop problem-solving skills and emotional resilience.
18. Your dog just needs more walks / more exercise (Disagree)
Physical exhaustion is not a substitute for mental stimulation and behavioral structure; an athletic dog can still be a poorly behaved dog.
19. You should "light up" a dog for resource guarding/aggression (Disagree)
Using excessive or poorly timed pressure during high-arousal guarding can escalate the situation and ruin the trust between dog and handler.
20. Always correct barking (Disagree)
Barking is a natural instinct and a form of communication; it is more effective to address the underlying cause than to punish the noise itself.
21. Your dog needs to know you're "alpha" (Disagree)
Successful training is built on clear leadership and consistent boundaries, not on an outdated "dominance" hierarchy based on intimidation.
22. 3 big corrections are better than 50 small corrections (Agree)
A single, clear correction that changes the dog's state of mind is more humane than constant nagging that the dog eventually learns to ignore.
23. Dogs deserve to cuddle, have 20 toys, sleep with you, get 5 treats a day, baby talk calms him down (Disagree)
Treating dogs like humans ignores their biological needs; true respect for a dog means providing structure before providing "humanized" luxuries.
24. It’s okay if she's overweight (Disagree)
Maintaining a healthy weight is a critical responsibility of the owner, as obesity leads to joint pain and a significantly shorter lifespan.
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