Calmer walks, steadier days, a dog who feels safe
FORCE-FREE DOG TRAINING IN WHATCOM COUNTY
Hi, I’m Sara. I help dogs and their people work through reactivity, fear of unfamiliar people, challenges around handling, and life with babies and children.
Through private training, paired reactivity lessons, and small group classes, we’ll work toward everyday life feeling more manageable. We’ll start with a free Discovery Call to talk about your dog and find the right place to begin.
Understand your dog.
Build the skills together.
My approach starts with understanding what your dog is finding difficult, not simply stopping the behavior you can see. We’ll combine practical management, positive reinforcement, and achievable training steps that fit your dog and your daily life.
Reward-Based Training
I use positive reinforcement to teach useful skills and support behavior change. We’ll work at a pace your dog can manage, without prong collars, e-collars, or intimidation.
Your Dog’s Needs Come First
We’ll consider your dog’s comfort, environment, and ability to participate. That might mean creating more distance, simplifying an exercise, or choosing individual support before working around other dogs.
Skills for Everyday Life
You’ll learn how to practice with your dog, recognize when something needs adjusting, and use your new skills outside lessons. The goal is a plan you can actually use at home and out in the world.
Thoughtful training for both ends of the leash.
Hi, I’m Sara.
Let’s make life with your dog feel more manageable.
Practical support, without judgment.
I’m Sara Dimas, the trainer behind Fetch Focus Flourish in Whatcom County. My work focuses on reactivity, stranger-directed aggression, cooperative care, and helping families navigate life with dogs, babies, and children.
Whether walks feel stressful, visitors are difficult, or routine handling has become a struggle, we’ll start with what’s happening for your dog and what you need help with most.
I’ll help you choose an appropriate training format, break the work into manageable steps, and recognize when veterinary care or another professional’s support should be part of the plan.
Behavior support that meets your dog where they are
Different dogs need different kinds of support. Some benefit from an individual plan, while others are ready to practice alongside a carefully matched partner or in a small class.
We’ll start with a free Discovery Call to discuss your concerns, and which format may suit your dog. Private and semi-private packages begin with an individual consultation; group-class suitability is assessed through the Discovery Call.
Not sure where to start? Tell me about your dog, and we’ll work it out together.
Private Training
Individual support for reactivity, stranger-directed aggression, cooperative care, and life with dogs, babies, and children.
Choose from Focus, Flourish, or Thrive. Each package includes an initial consultation and follow-up lessons, with a plan tailored to your dog, your household, and your goals.
Semi-Private Reactivity Training
Reactivity training with one carefully matched dog-and-handler team alongside you.
Your package includes an individual consultation followed by four paired lessons. I arrange the pairing so you can practice with appropriate space and support, without pressure for the dogs to greet or interact.
Small Group Classes
Small, structured classes with no more than four dogs.
The Reactivity Group Class focuses on skills for navigating distractions with more space and support. The Cooperative Care Group Class builds foundations for more comfortable handling, grooming, and veterinary care. A free Discovery Call helps us check suitability before enrollment.
Kind words from owners:
Let’s find your next step together
Tell me what’s happening with your dog and what you’d like help with. We’ll begin with a free Discovery Call to talk through your concerns and whether private training, paired reactivity lessons, or a small group class could be a good fit.
You don’t need to choose a service before reaching out.
Serving Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, and greater Whatcom County.