MEET YOUR TRAINER
Hi, I’m Sara.
Let’s make life with your dog feel more manageable.
I’m a force-free dog trainer and behavior consultant serving Whatcom County. I help with reactivity, stranger-directed aggression, cooperative care, and navigating life with dogs, babies, and children.
Through private training, paired reactivity lessons, and small group classes, I help you understand your dog and find practical ways forward together.
Why I focus on behavior
When walks are stressful, visitors feel difficult, or routine care becomes a struggle, it can affect far more than a training session. My work is about helping you understand those challenges and find a way forward that considers both your dog’s needs and your own.
I want to understand what happens before the barking, lunging, avoidance, or resistance. We’ll look at the situations your dog finds difficult, the routines around them, and what we can change to make learning more manageable.
My approach combines positive reinforcement with practical changes to everyday life. That might mean creating more space on walks, planning for visitors, preparing your household for a baby, or breaking handling into smaller steps.
You’re part of the process, too. I’ll explain what we’re working on, why it matters, and how to practice in a way that fits your household. If something isn’t working, we’ll talk about it and adjust.
The goal isn’t a dog who performs perfectly in every situation. It’s helping you build useful skills, understand your dog’s limits, and feel more prepared for life together.
Kind words from owners:
What you can expect from me
I can’t promise a particular outcome or timeline. What I can offer is thoughtful guidance, clear explanations, and a willingness to adjust the work as we learn more about your dog.
A pace your dog can manage
We’ll choose exercises, distances, and environments that give your dog room to learn. When something is too difficult, we’ll make an adjustment rather than push through for the sake of finishing an exercise.
A plan that fits your life
Your time, household, and daily routines matter. We’ll focus on manageable steps, with clear priorities so you know what to practice and what can wait.
Training without intimidation
I use positive reinforcement and practical management, not prong collars, e-collars, or leash corrections. We’ll work on useful skills while paying attention to your dog’s comfort and willingness to participate.
Am I the right fit for your dog?
What I can help with:
✔︎ Reactivity: Barking, lunging, or difficulty staying comfortable around dogs, people, or other triggers.
✔︎ Stranger-directed aggression: Behavior concerns around visitors or unfamiliar people, addressed through individualized private support.
✔︎ Dogs, babies, and children: Preparing for changes at home and building thoughtful routines for family life.
✔︎ Cooperative care: Helping your dog participate more comfortably in handling, grooming, and veterinary-care routines.
When a different kind of support may help:
✘ Veterinary support: If pain, health concerns, or significant anxiety may be involved, I’ll recommend involving your veterinarian alongside or before training.
✘ More individual support: If paired lessons or a group class aren’t appropriate, we’ll discuss private training rather than placing your dog in a format they aren’t ready for.
✘ Another professional: If your dog’s needs fall outside my scope, I’ll explain that honestly and discuss an appropriate referral.
We’ll start with a free Discovery Call to discuss your concerns and which service may fit. Semi-private lessons are specifically for reactivity, while group classes focus on either reactivity or cooperative care; private training offers individualized support across these areas and family-life concerns.
