Dog Training in San Francisco
Private, in-home training for dogs who've stopped listening — and for the people trying to reach them.
How Training Actually Works
Most dogs I meet aren't defiant. They're confused. They don't know what's being asked, how to get it right, or what happens when they don't — and no amount of repetition fixes that on its own.
So we start with clarity. Your dog learns what you're asking somewhere easy, where nothing is competing for their attention. Once they understand it, we add difficulty on purpose: more distraction, more distance, more of the real world. That's the part most training skips, and it's why so many dogs are brilliant in the kitchen and useless on the sidewalk.
I use rewards. I also use tools — e-collars, prong collars, Starmark collars — when they're the right fit for the dog and the handler. You'll always know what I'm using and why, and your dog will understand a tool before it ever goes anywhere difficult.
Want the longer version? I wrote about why positive reinforcement stops working for so many dogs — and what to do about it.
Dog Training is Problem Solving
Effective dog training requires dynamic problem-solving—a craft built on creativity, an open mind, and hands-on experience.
I learned to train dogs from people who disagree with each other. Kelly Dunbar comes out of the positive reinforcement world. Michael Ellis comes out of working dogs and balanced training. I studied with both, and spent five years doing private behavior modification in San Francisco on a variety of different cases, from reactivity to separation anxiety, fear and territorial aggression, resource guarding and more.
The most important part of learning to be a dog trainer is getting real-world experience. Since 2015, I have had the opportunity to work with a great number of dogs, growing my skills through practical application, direct mentorship, and hands-on problem solving with diverse canine temperaments. Because of this, I don't wear training labels—I would rather meet your dog first, assess the situation, and let their unique needs dictate the best path forward.
What I Work On
Most of my work is with dogs who've made the outside world hard — pulling, lunging, barking at everything, or checking out entirely the moment something more interesting shows up.
Loose Leash Walking
A walk you don't have to brace for.
Leash Reactivity
Lunging, barking, and spinning at dogs, people, or traffic.
Dog-to-Dog Aggression
Dogs who can't be near other dogs without it going wrong.
Fear and Anxiety
Dogs who shut down, hide, or panic in the city.
Puppy Foundations
Getting it right the first time instead of undoing it later.
Obedience That Holds Up Outside
Recall, place, and manners that work past the front door.
If your dog needs something outside what I do, I'll tell you and point you toward someone who does it well. That's a better outcome for you than six sessions with the wrong trainer.
Training Packages
Every new client starts with six sessions. It's the shortest honest path to a dog that's actually changed — anything less and we're troubleshooting instead of training.
We meet in your home and in the places you actually walk your dog. Weekly if this is new to you, every other week if your leash handling is already solid.
Six Sessions
New Clients
$—
Your starting point. Six private sessions over about three months, working in your home and in the streets and parks you use every day.
Book a consultationThree Sessions
Returning Clients
$—
For clients who've finished a six-pack and want to keep going. New environments, new goals, or a tune-up when something slips.
Book a consultationSix Sessions
Returning Clients
$—
When there's more to work on. Same structure, picking up where we left off.
Book a consultationNot sure which one fits? Start with a consultation and we'll figure it out together. I'd rather point you somewhere else than sell you a package that isn't right for your dog.
Let's Talk
If your dog is confused and you're tired of guessing which method you're supposed to pick, that's the conversation I want to have.
I work with dogs and their people across San Francisco and down the Peninsula — the Richmond, the Sunset, Noe Valley, Glen Park, Excelsior, Pacific Heights, the Marina, Russian Hill, and south through Daly City, Pacifica, San Mateo, and Half Moon Bay.
Book a consultation