The short answer: we teach dogs. We don’t hurt them.

Our training is reward-based, science-informed, and focused on teaching your dog what we want them to do rather than punishing them for getting it wrong. We use things like food, play, access to things your dog enjoys, environmental management, marker training, desensitization, counterconditioning, and…believe it or not…letting dogs have some choices.

We follow the IAABC Joint Standards of Practice, which call for positive reinforcement as the primary training strategy and oppose methods that intentionally use pain, fear, or intimidation. Our approach also aligns with the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's position on humane dog training, which recommends reward-based methods for dog training and behavior modification. (IAABC)

We do not use shock collars, prong collars, physical corrections, intimidation, or other aversive training methods. And we're pretty serious about that: our training agreement requires clients not to use aversive methods while participating in one of our programs.

Why?

Because our job isn't simply to find something that makes your dog stop doing something we don't like. We're interested in why the behavior is happening, what your dog needs instead, and how we can teach skills that make life better for both of you.

We're raising dogs. Not robots.

Yes. In fact, that’s exactly why I became a dog trainer in the first place.

My own experience living with a reactive dog (and with fights between dogs in my own home) is what sent me down the behavior rabbit hole to begin with.

So when I tell you I understand how exhausting, isolating, and sometimes downright scary these behaviors can be, I mean it.

Today, behavior cases are a major focus of my work.

I’m a Family Dog Mediator and currently hundreds of hours into advanced study toward the Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) credential through the IAABC. That means I’m continually studying current research and best practices in aggression, fear, reactivity, behavior modification, ethology, and canine welfare.

We don’t start by asking, “How do we make this dog stop?” We start by asking, “Why is this dog doing this in the first place?”

Then we build a plan around the actual dog in front of us—their genetics, environment, learning history, individual needs, and the life you need to be able to live together.

Reactive and aggressive dogs aren’t bad dogs. They’re dogs whose behavior is telling us something. Our job is to listen…and then help.

Yes—but we’re going to be very honest about whether your dog actually wants the job.

Before I became a professional dog trainer, I was just a dog mom who trained the first two Musical Therapy Dogs in the United States. It’s actually where my love of working with dogs began. At the time, I thought therapy dog work was elite status.

Years later, my perspective has changed quite a bit.

The more I’ve learned about behavior, welfare, and the individual needs of dogs, the more I’ve realized that very few dogs are truly suited for therapy or service dog work.

Sometimes we become so focused on what we need a dog to do for us that we forget to ask whether that life is fair…or enjoyable…for the dog.

We offer group classes, private training, public-access preparation, and task training for dogs pursuing therapy or service work. But we will never help you force a square dog into a round hole.

If at any point we believe your dog is stressed, uncomfortable, temperamentally unsuitable, or simply telling us “I don't want this job,” we're going to tell you. Blatantly.

Service and therapy work requires a crap ton of work from the human, an unusually suitable dog, and an ongoing commitment to protecting that dog's welfare…not just getting them to perform.

Your goal matters.
But the dog in front of us matters more.

YES! And we can evaluate a whole lot more than just the CGC.

Common Scents Dog Training is an AKC Approved Evaluator for:

S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Community Canine (CGCA), Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGCU), and AKC Trick Dog titles.

I’m also an AKC FIT DOG Level 1 and Level 2 Instructor, so if earning titles, setting goals, or just finding fun things to do with your dog is your jam, we can help with that too.

And because we believe training should be about doing cool shit with your dog…not proving how obedient they are, evaluations for these titles are free for Common Scents Dog Training members.

Come learn stuff. Earn some letters after your dog’s name. Have fun together.