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I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) who has been teaching group classes and working with private clients for over 20 years. My goals as a trainer are to give owners the skills necessary to build better relationships and solve behavior challenges with their dogs using reward-based, positive training methods grounded in learning theory. I work 1:1 with clients to solve their training challenges including leash manners & reactivity, behavioral problems, training fundamentals for new puppy/dog, preparing for baby and child/dog relationship training. Force Free Certified, Member APDT, IAABC, and PPG.

Kayla Block, MA, CTC, founded Understanding Dog Training to help people and dogs understand each other better. Kayla is a graduate of the prestigious 2-year program at The Academy for Dog Trainers. Her business is focused on fear and aggression and she has a special heart for fearful dogs and leash reactivity.

I was certified as a CPDT-KA and taught basic and intermediate skills in group classes for 17 years. Since the pandemic, I work with dog owners privately. I am a strong believer in the efficacy of positive reinforcement and continuously educate myself to strengthen my understanding of dog behavior. Teaching practicable solutions for impulse control related issues like jumping, excessive barking, leash pulling, etc are just the beginning of helping to create good communication and a strong bond between the dog and their families. Let the fun begin! Connect with me also at www.birgithafermanndogtraining.com

Hi! I am a positive reinforcement, fear-free certified trainer (CPDT-KA, FFCP). I started on this journey years ago by volunteering at an animal shelter. I then became an employee on the behavior team and that lead me to the trainer I am today! My shelter background has made me a more rounded and empathic trainer. KEEP IT PAWSITIVE is my motto ❤️🐾🐾

I started a professional dog walking business in San Francisco, CA in the summer of 1992. I walked dogs and boarded dogs in San Francisco for 27 wonderful years. At the end of 2019, I made the decision to move out of San Francisco and move back to the East Bay, where I was born and raised. In 2020, I moved to beautiful Castro Valley and now I am boarding dogs ( small dogs only ) out of my home. I have a lovely park-like backyard, complete with its own "dog park" (synthetic lawn). I rescued a shelter dog in the middle of the pandemic. He is a 15 pound mixed breed dog named Fonzie. Fonzie gets along great with all dogs. I am licensed, bonded and insured.

After nearly 30 years teaching high school, I retired to work with animals. I am certified through Animal Behavior College as a Dog Walker, Pet Sitter, and Zookeeper Assistant. I am also a Certified Dog Trainer through Petco. I have two small dogs, a 12-year-old Spitz and a 3-year-old Border Terrier. I’ve been a pet mom for the past 25 years of both dogs and cats. I have also owned fish, mice, hamsters, and a rat. I LOVE animals, and I will care for yours as my own.

Life is challenging enough, training your companion animal doesn’t have to be. We provide proven, force-free, efficient, reward-based solutions with all of our clients, human and animal alike. Whether it’s basic canine obedience training or more serious dog behavior issues, we apply the science of behavior and a team approach to help you meet your goals. Training time should be rewarding for both people and their pets. Together, we create a more perfect union between you and your adored pet. Let’s get started! Contact us now to discuss your specific needs and schedule an appointment.

Starting Compassionate Canine is the realization of a lifetime of being in connection with animals. Kelly’s focus when opening Compassionate Canine Training was to utilize positive reinforcement (R+) training to solve the frustrations of families living with challenges of daily distractions. Working with you in your home, yard and neighborhood,, she is able to train your dog in the things most important for YOU. Together, we will cover all the basics of obedience training while focusing on your specific behavioral concerns.