How this Tail Unfolds:
Trainer Meet & Greet:
I will meet with you and your family to discuss your dog’s history, behavior, daily routine, challenges, and goals. I’ll also observe your dog in the home environment and answer any questions so we can build a personalized training plan together.
Stay calm and consistent:
Helping you become the kind of leader your dog naturally wants to follow, calm, consistent, and clear.
Dogs feel safest when they understand who is guiding them and what is expected. Leadership is not about force or dominance, it’s about clear communication, structure and trust.
Boundaries and follow through:
Waiting at the door, not jumping on guests, or sitting before meals. These rules help your dog understand what behavior is expected and will set the tone before entering the outside world.
The Great Outdoors:
Everything we’ve practiced so far prepares your dog for the challenges ahead, it teaches your dog to listen anywhere, not just at home. We gradually expose your dog to bigger challenges while keeping you in control. That means practicing leash skills, recall, focus work, and calm behavior around real-life distractions.
Settling down:
This final step helps your dog calmly transition from activity to rest, completing the training cycle. It teaches energy control, reinforces calm behavior, and turns learned skills into lasting habits.
*By building on the indoor foundation, your dog learns how to stay focused, confident, and consistent no matter what’s happening around them. This is where real-life training comes together and results in a well-balanced, reliable companion.
Background
With nearly 30 years of experience in dog behavior training, my approach is deeply rooted in dog psychology and fueled by a passion for building trust, respect, and strong leadership between dogs and their owners.
I believe that effective training goes beyond simply teaching commands; it’s about understanding each dog’s unique needs and establishing clear, confident leadership. Leadership is essential for a well-balanced dog, as it provides structure and guidance, helping them feel secure and understand their role within the household.
By connecting with dogs through their natural instincts and behaviors, I foster a bond built on mutual respect and trust. Whether working with a puppy or addressing more complex behavioral challenges, my goal is always to create a relationship where both the dog and owner thrive, with a sense of harmony and understanding at the core.
Poppy
Barley
Arnold & Bob
Wapta
A few Tails from the doghouse
Reviews
Real stories from happy dog owners
Denie helped me and my reactive dog find calm and confidence. The online sessions were a lifesaver!
Ben B.
Nanaimo BC
We are so fortunate to have crossed paths with you and Arnold. Your guidance with Archie was life changing for him and us! I can't thank you enough!
Lynn O.
Lake Tahoe CA
★★★★★
★★★★★
FAQs
How does it work?
We lead you through five simple steps that lay the foundation for your dog, taking them from learning the basics to becoming calm, confident, and well-mannered
What are the steps?
The steps are broken down and explained individually for simple, step-by-step guidance.
Can you teach an old dog?
Some exercises may need adjusting for physical limits, but all dogs can learn new behaviors at any age.
Is it easy to follow?
We guide you through each step, one at a time, making it easy to follow and practice.
Who is this for?
This program is for anyone with a dog, whether you’re addressing behavioral challenges or starting with a new pup to set the foundation for a happy tail.
How much time should you plan for?
We start with a single 4–6 hour session that guides you through all five steps, preparing you to confidently handle real-life challenges with your dog, with a follow-up session scheduled two weeks to a month later to reinforce progress and answer questions.
How much should I budget for this?
Behavior training is often cheaper than traditional obedience training because it addresses the root causes of problems, teaching your dog how to behave appropriately in real-life situations. By focusing on problem-solving and long-term habits, you reduce the need for repeated sessions and avoid costly issues like damage, accidents, or reactive behavior later on.
Where we are
Based in Tofino on beautiful Vancouver Island, we help pups and their people from home or online. Traveling between Tofino, Victoria and everything in between.
Address
Tofino
Hours
By appointment