My Approach to Training

Training shapes more than behavior. It shapes how your dog processes their environment, what they find stressful or exciting, and how clearly the two of you communicate. When those things are working, everything else gets easier.

Many behavior challenges like reactivity, pulling on leash, difficulty settling, and overexcitement come down to a dog who doesn't yet have the clarity or skills to do what we're asking. I look at the full picture to understand why: temperament, daily routines, what motivates them, how they handle stress, and what their environment asks of them. Behavior doesn't happen in isolation, so training doesn't either. 

My approach is grounded in positive reinforcement, paired with clear structure and fair, consistent feedback about what works and what doesn't – never through fear or force, but through communication that makes sense to each individual dog.

I build plans around your dog's nature and what you actually want your life together to look like. The goal is training that holds up in the real world, with a dog who can move through it alongside you.

About Me

I started training dogs in 2020 through volunteer and foster work with local rescues, learning from experienced trainers across the west coast while working with dogs who needed extra help transitioning out of shelter life and adjusting to adoption.

I have a BS in behavioral neuroscience with a focus on animal behavior, learning, motivation, and stress, and a post-graduate certificate in applied animal behavior –  a path I originally pursued with veterinary research in mind. I'm a scientist at heart, and I continue to follow behavior research, which informs my training. 

Before starting Good Hound Dog, I worked as a project manager; I bring that experience into training by breaking big goals into practical steps and building plans that fit real life. I left corporate work to focus on something I cared about more directly: helping dogs and the people who love them!