Dog Walking/ Pet Care
I offer my services to pet owners who need help caring for their animals.
Dog Walking: $60 1-hour solo walks, $40 30-minute walk
Daily Visits: 3 visits a day (including one 1-hour walk and two 20-minute visits): $100
Overnight Pet Sitting: $150/night
Animal Training
Initial Consultation: $150 includes a 1-hour consultation, based on your intake form, and a followup email that details every topic we cover in the consultation and descriptions of any training protocols I have suggested.
Day Training: $120/hour packages
Coaching you on your training process with your dog: $150/hour
How It Works
You fill out my intake form and send it to me. I will likely have a few follow up questions; I want to understand what is happening in as much detail as possible before we speak. When we talk by phone, FaceTime or Zoom, I will break down what I understand is happening into the competent parts and I will explain what is happening, why and what approach I would take to resolve the issue. You do not need to take any notes during our call as I will follow our conversation within 48 hours with an exhaustive email covering everything we discussed in brief digestible form, including detailed descriptions of training protocols I recommend as a reference for you to have at hand. If you want to hire me to do day-training, training walks, etc., you will still get the email follow up and all the information, but I will also set up a program designed for you and your animal companion.
My Approach
My work is based in the science of canine/feline behavior, Applied Behavior Analysis and utilizes the most current evidence-based protocols that are focused on your animal’s comfort, engagement and enjoyment. Marker-based training is focused on Positive Reinforcement and avoids any punishing, stressful or confusing interactions with an animal.
Behavior is an expression of a need. I teach dogs new behaviors that get their most basic needs met. Dog behavior cannot be understood intuitively; we must follow the science, understand canine body-language and know that antecedents trigger behavior and consequences reinforce or punish that behavior. A guiding principle for this is the notion that “the dog is always right;” this means that the dog decides what is delicious, what is fun and what is unpleasant. Every dog is a study of 1, there is no recipe for dog training. I work to help the dog in front of me to enjoy the time we spend together; I listen to your dog, I work to understand your dog and, with this data, I help your dog. Contact me for training package pricing.
My Background & Goals
I found my way to this field through my work and volunteering at the San Francisco SPCA where I worked facilitating adoptions and public education, practicing skilled and compassionate dog-handling and kennel care. I am especially passionate about helping shy, fearful and reactive dogs find comfort and confidence while educating people in understanding the nuances of dog behavior and communication. My long-term goals with my dog training are to train and facilitate dogs who enjoy working with a variety of people in animal assisted interactions in hospitals and hospice care; bringing interspecies connection to the end of life process for patients and their families.
My marker-based training and compassionate behavior interventions are grounded in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. I use protocols focused on L.I.M.A. (“Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive”) animal handling as well as educating the public in order to help dogs and people get a long better.