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Julia is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), having graduated with distinction. She specializes in helping anxious, fearful, or reactive dogs feel safer and more confident through gentle, science-backed, in-home behavior support. Instead of obedience drills, I focus on understanding emotions, building trust, and creating real-life behavior change that lasts. Her approach blends empathy, practicality, and fun, providing quick wins and effective strategies to help families and dogs thrive. Families in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough choose Dog Speak for a kinder, more personalized approach that meets dogs exactly where they are — right at home.

We are a dog centered training facility. We teach basic life skills to dogs to help create happy families..

I specialize in using reward-based techniques to help families with dogs that are considered difficult, whether it is dog-dog aggression, resource guarding, aggression towards humans, reactivity to objects, noises, fearful/shutdown dogs. I also work with dogs that have had a bite history. In addition, I have a SmartPuppy Program that helps you grow puppies into smart, confident dogs and prevent many issues rather than fix them later. I use games, toys and food to train with fun and kindness.

The Life of Kai is a 501-c3. Our vision is to have fewer displaced dogs in the shelters and more pets in the homes. We hope to reach our goal through several programs. Humane education teaches empathy to build a kinder and compassionate generation. Training and dog behavior books based on science are available to the public with free and easy access. Coaching new adopters and guardians and teaching pet dogs to co-exist through better understanding of canine behaviors. Working pro-bono with rescues and fosters to make rescued dogs more adoptable and supporting a foster-centric community by creating a foster registry.

Canine Centric is a great option for retraining, to help correct problems with your adult dog or help with the new puppy. Over the years I have developed methods of dog training that is not about force or fear but is fun for all, and thoroughly modern and innovative.

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.

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.

We use humane, effective training based on the latest scientific evidence. Our protocols are set to you and your dog up for success. We utilize reward-based, clicker-style teaching which furthers progress toward a more compassionate relationship between humans and animals. ​ 1) Teaching and reinforcing desirable behaviors so they will be more likely to occur in the future. 2) Preventing and interrupting undesirable behaviors without the intentional use of physical or psychological intimidation. 3) Taking the learner’s physical and emotional well-being into account 4) Continuing education with the goal of humane, effective training based on the latest scientific evidence