The Dog Trainer Who Gets It
Life with your dog shouldn’t feel like a battle. I help you both stress less and connect more.
Is living with your dog not exactly going how you imagined? Does it feel harder than you expected it to? You thought you’d be sharing calm walks, cozy couch time, and maybe showing off that perfect “sit” at your favorite patio spot. But instead, you’re constantly being jumped on, your stuff is getting chewed up, the leash walks are tug-of-war matches, and the barking? Never-ending.
You’re tired of Googling solutions, second-guessing every move, and feeling like you’re failing your best friend. If you’ve ever felt frustrated, embarrassed, or like everyone else has it all figured out except you, you’re in the right place.
I get it because I’ve been there too. And I know it can get better.
My job is to take the overwhelm off your plate and help you and your dog actually enjoy life together. With positive reinforcement training that works in real life situations, I’ll help you build understanding, reduce stress, and get back to what matters most: feeling calm, confident, and connected with your dog.
I started my animal training career over 13 years ago, working with all kinds of species from tiny mammals to parrots and even marine mammals. In 2021 my own dogs started having their own behavioral issues. Not only was going out in public with them a disaster, but home life was also a nightmare. Even with my animal training background, the day to day was a struggle. So in 2022, I decided to shift my focus to helping dogs and their people live better lives together, because I thought “If I’m struggling this much and I’m supposed to know what I’m doing, how is anyone else getting through this?”
That’s when I enrolled in the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and Behavior. I graduated in April 2023, and I’m constantly continuing my education so I can bring you the most up-to-date, humane, and effective training methods out there.
From Zoo Life to Zoomies: My Path to Becoming A Dog Trainer
I created S.M.A.R.T. With Dogs to help pet parents find relief. Whether you’re raising a wild puppy or dealing with reactivity I’ve been through the chaos myself. I know how overwhelming it feels to love your dog so much but also feel totally lost when things aren’t going well.
What I learned through that emotional, trial-and-error journey is exactly what I bring to my clients today: empathy, practical tools, and a deep belief that you don’t have to be perfect to make progress.
Now I get to help pet parents who feel exhausted and unsure find their way back to calm, connection, and confidence. I live for those lightbulb moments, the happy texts, the “you won’t believe what he just did!” videos, and that deep sigh of relief when someone says, “We actually had a good walk today.”
If you’re ready to feel more confident, more in sync with your dog, and less like you’re surviving each day… I’d love to help.
I’m not just your average dog trainer
There’s no shortage of dog trainers out there. But if you’ve found yourself feeling overwhelmed, second-guessed, or like you’re just another client on a checklist you’ve probably worked with someone who didn’t really get you.
I’m not here to bark orders or slap a one-size-fits-all plan on you. I’m here to be your teammate, the person who listens, gets the full picture, and helps you move from “this is a mess” to “we’ve got this.”
I don’t rely on outdated, harsh methods. My approach is science-based, fear-free, and rooted in positive reinforcement. I’ll meet you where you are…literally (because yes, I come to you!), but also emotionally. Whether you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or straight-up burnt out, we’ll tackle it together in a way that makes sense for you and your dog.
Because at the end of the day, your dog isn’t a robot that needs “fixing.” It’s about learning to communicate needs, making life feel easier, more fun, and way less stressful. That’s the kind of support I needed when I was in your shoes, and it’s exactly what I offer now.
My clients say they love working with me because:
“Her positive methods work wonders <3” -Pepper’s Human
“She is very knowledgeable and showed up at every training, eager and enthusiastic.” -Nika’s Human
“Always available if we needed help even when we were not having a session.” -Maple’s Human
“Beccy’s professionalism, flexibility, promptness, attention to detail, training notes, follow up was amazing”. -Poppy’s Human
I believe great dog training starts with trust. Trust between you and your dog, and between you and me. That’s why everything I do is rooted in honesty, empathy, respect, and a genuine curiosity to keep learning and growing.
I’ll always be transparent with you about what’s going on and why we’re doing what we’re doing. I won’t just show up with a cookie-cutter plan or expect you to be perfect. Instead, I’ll meet you with compassion and flexibility, and a willingness to work through the tough stuff, because I know how personal this can be.
Professionally, I bring over a decade of animal training experience to the table. I’ve worked with everything from small mammals and birds to marine mammals, and transitioned fully into dog training after facing behavior challenges with my own pups. I’m a graduate of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior and I continue to pursue ongoing education both through my PETPro mentorship program and other continuing education platforms, so I can bring you the most up-to-date, science-backed, fear-free methods available.
Because I don’t just want to help you train your dog. I want to help you feel confident, connected, and supported every step of the way.
Grounded in values. Backed by experience. Here for you.
Ready to feel less stressed and more connected with your dog?
Whether you’re dealing with reactivity, fear or anxiety behaviors, or just want life to feel a little easier, I’m here to help you and your dog work with each other not against each other.
Let’s build a plan that fits your lifestyle and actually works for your real life.