Hello! My name is Bethany, and I am a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) who works through science-based, humane training methods to help you and your dog live the life you want together. After college, I found myself in a wonderful job with wonderful people…but no animals. And inside. All. Day. Long. With a degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, a lifetime of working with, loving, training, and photographing animals, I knew I needed something more. And so I threw myself into the things I truly loved: animal behavior, the human-animal bond, and photography. And I am so grateful things have unfolded as they have.
Every moment in my life has in some way been affected by my relationships with animals. As a dog trainer, my focus has always been behavior modification with an emphasis on the dog-human relationship. I am fascinated by the truly profound love many people share with their dogs, and I am dedicated to helping people heal a relationship that is less than perfect with their dogs. The relationships we forge with animals can have a amazing impact on us. For those of us who take the time to get to know an animal – any animal – we learn just how complex and consummate that relationship can be. For the time that they are with us, we laugh with them, we cry with them, we become frustrated when communication is stagnant, and we rejoice when we succeed and learn together. Ultimately, such a relationship is a dance and often at the beginning, both dancers are a bit clumsy, neither knowing the steps. To learn the steps takes time, care, and interest in who the other is. It takes compassion, and takes empathy – often when it would be easier to be selfish.
As a trainer, I do everything in my power to help you cultivate a joyful and healthy relationship with your dog. I want you to understand each other, I encourage you to learn to “speak dog”, and I want you to have fun together. So often when you struggle with less-than-ideal behaviors in your dog, it is easy to become uncertain, frustrated, or even downright angry. I want to help you feel empowered, comfortable, and confident in your ability to work together, trust one another, and solve problems. I look forward to meeting you, and am honored to help you and your dog stay connected.
Training by Connection 