For the Dogs Like Valor Behavior Coaching provides specialized intervention for behaviorally unsound dogs and the owners devoted to their success. My practice is built on a foundation of moving past ordinary training into deep behavior coaching, rooted in a relentless obsession to be inside the mind of the dog to restore a dog’s freedom and a family’s peace.

My journey began with Raleigh, my first dog, who struggled with severe human aggression. At the time, I found myself in a vacuum; there were no trainers to turn to who could provide real help or explain the why behind his behavior. After rehoming Raleigh, I adopted Zeva, a Belgian Malinois who brought her own set of major behavioral challenges and completely changed the trajectory of my life.

I sought help and was mentored for six months by a trainer in Prescott, AZ. While the methods I learned there created an extremely obedient dog, the result didn't sit right with me. I saw a dog who was shut down, demotivated, and had lost their personality. I knew then that obedience at the cost of a dog's spark wasn't the answer.

5 years ago, I decided to find out once and for all how to create a dog that was happy, confident, and motivated, as well as obedient. I spent 10 weeks working with dogs from sunrise to sundown, and in that time, the foundation of my morals and values as a trainer was born. I learned that every dog is a unique teacher, and while I will always be learning new ways to train, my values won’t ever change.

This search for the “why” was solidified by my experience with Valor. I brought him home at 9 months old, and he was initially an exceptional companion. However, upon maturity, a genetic shift occurred. He became vengeful and calculated; I witnessed a depth of canine psychology I hadn't previously realized existed. After 2 years of intensive routine/ training, despite real progress, it wasn’t enough. It was taking all my time away from my family. I placed him with an out of state trainer, and two weeks later, he was euthanized following a bite; never having been given a legitimate chance to adapt.

That loss eliminated my hesitation, it taught me the hardest lesson; for the most severe cases, fear of extremes is a disservice to the dog. I will never be afraid again to use the tools necessary to save a life, but I will never use them to suppress who they are.

I am a balanced behavior coach who believes in finding a dog’s true motivation. My goal is to find the underlying cause of fear, anxiety, or aggression rather than simply correcting it until the dog's personality is extinguished.

• For Severe Cases: We utilize every available resource to ensure safety and preserve life.

• For Every Dog: We build real bonds based on communication, food, play, and boundaries.

A dog should not just exist within the four walls of a house. I am here to coach you through the most complex challenges so your dog can finally experience a life of true, happy, and motivated freedom.