Many people can read a dog-training book or watch some YouTube videos and learn how to teach their dog to sit, stay or come. But there can also be a lot of conflicting information out there that can make it difficult to make the best choices for you and your dog. Maria's behavior consulting expertise helps you go beyond the surface so you can truly have a healthier, deeper relationship with the four-legged members of your family. Just like with any relationship, a human-canine relationship takes work, communication, patience and understanding. Our holistic approach will go deep into the root of the relationship and behavior and build it from the inside out - teaching lessons that will last a lifetime. Sessions are private and will be built to suit your individual needs. Maria will come to work with you in your home, or another agreed-upon location for the lesson at hand, and services the five counties surrounding Savannah, GA as well as virtual sessions across the country.
We specialize in such deeply emotional behaviors as anxiety, hyperactivity, fear, lack of confidence and aggression. Below are some examples of the additional services we provide that all begin and end with a better understanding of how harmony in your relationship is possible!
We specialize in such deeply emotional behaviors as anxiety, hyperactivity, fear, lack of confidence and aggression. Below are some examples of the additional services we provide that all begin and end with a better understanding of how harmony in your relationship is possible!
New Dog/New Dog OwnerAs a dog owner, your ability to handle the basics and start training early sets the foundation for how your pup develops as an adult dog. Bad habits on the handler's part lead to bad behavior on the dog's part. Early intervention becomes paramount in establishing a proper relationship with your pet. Removing bad habits becomes more challenging as your dog gets older or set in his ways. That's why we recommend proper training from the beginning.
|
Selecting a New Dog aAre you interested in getting a new dog but don't know where to start? How do you know what kind of dog is right for you and your family? What size, breed, temperament? Do you rescue and adopt, or do you go to a breeder - and what are you looking for at each?
Most dogs and puppies are cute, but thousands of dogs end up in shelters each year because they weren't the right fit for that family or situation, or weren't added to the family for the right reasons. For many years Maria has been matching families with the dogs that are best suited for them and offers consultations around the country virtually. She can help you decide what kind of dog is right for you, help you find out where to get your dog, and even visit the dog with you (in person or virtually) to see if it's a good fit before you commit to bringing the dog into your home. |
Changing Bad Habits/ Behavior ModificationWhat do you do if your dog is already set in his ways and those ways aren't what you like? Is it really possible to teach an old dog new tricks? What if your dog has been exhibiting inappropriate behavior that you can't seem to fix, like jumping up on guests, guarding his space/food/toys, barking, or nipping at you or guests? Does your dog pull on leash, bark and lunge at other dogs or people?
These are all behaviors that can be remedied with some dedicated training and patience, especially once you understand where these behaviors are coming from. Maria will work with you to erase the previous behaviors and replace them with more appropriate behaviors by changing your dog's association and supporting your understanding of your dog's behavior and needs. |
Basic Obedience and House MannersDogs are extremely smart and are going to learn behaviors anyway - the question becomes, are they learning what YOU'D like them to learn, or are they learning something else that ends up becoming a negative behavior (such as jumping up on guests, nipping at you or other members of the family, or separation anxiety)? Bad house manners often develop due to boredom, a lack of consistent direction from the handler, and a pup whose needs are not being met appropriately. We always say that a happy dog is a well-behaved dog!
By setting boundaries and sticking to them, learning what your pup's needs are and meeting them, as well as by using a variety of positive reinforcement techniques, Maria can help you have a well-behaved dog that makes an excellent house guest - in both your own home and in the homes of others. |
Socialization and Social MannersHow do you build a more confident dog that can handle social situations? As people do, dogs build confidence through positive experiences that don't overwhelm them. Like people, each dog is different in their ability to cope with stress. Maria will teach you how to "meet your dog where he is at" in terms of socialization and build him up in small increments that work better for him, thereby working better for you.
Nobody likes a dog that's being "unruly" in public. But just like children, dogs need to be taught how to handle social situations. The truth is, if a dog is misbehaving in public, it's not the dog's fault! His behavior can be changed through training. Maria will teach you how to keep your dog in a calmer emotional state and how to look for signs of conflict. |
Preparing Dog for BabyAre you a proud parent to your fur-babies and now you're expecting a baby of your own? Do you want to ensure that your dog will be comfortable and behave appropriately around your new baby? After all, welcoming a new family member is a transition for all of you, including your dog.
Some dogs that have had limited exposure to babies or small children could become very stressed by the change in routine and lifestyle that comes in a baby's wake. You may want your dog to love the baby as you do and have your baby grow with your dog as their best friend. So how do you set both dog and baby up on a path to live in harmony through all the newborn, toddler, and growing phases? Let Maria teach you how to prepare your dog for your baby's arrival, manage early introductions, meet the needs of both your baby and your dog without losing your mind, and help your dog navigate a child's growing phases. |
Q & A
Training Sessions for Your Group or OrganizationAre you affiliated with a rescue group, adoption agency, humane society or veterinary office? Could your volunteers, fosters or employees benefit from having a better understanding of canine behavior to better support your cause or organization?
Part of being a consulting service means that Maria will come and speak to groups for Question & Answer sessions or training demonstrations to suit your needs. You provide the space, Maria will provide the expertise to help get your volunteers or staff seeing eye-to-eye with the canines they come in contact with on a regular or not-so-regular basis. |
Group classes can be fantastic for dog exposure or activities like agility or Rally-O. But they don't always offer the one-on-one support you need to address deeply-rooted emotional behaviors or help your pup succeed in other aspects of his life. Obedience is just the beginning and each dog and handler (and the relationship between them) is different. To truly change behavior, we must work deeper and start at the root.
Maria spent years teaching group classes but has the most passion for providing one-on-one support to her clients and their dogs. With personalized attention, you have the ability to really get to understand YOUR dog, learn how to apply the lessons to everyday life, and become a more "dog savvy" pet parent. Maria enjoys building relationships with her clients and their dogs on a more personal and holistic level - so you won't just feel like one of many. And she provides as much support as needed whenever you need it - not just during behavior consultations. She is truly committed to your success! |