Your dog isn't broken.
The training plan is.

Take the quiz above — it takes 2 minutes and gives you a specific recommendation based on your dog's age, primary issue, and training history. If you're still unsure, book a free 20-minute assessment call. I'd rather spend 20 minutes helping you decide than have you commit to the wrong program.

Almost never. Dogs don't hold grudges about their past the way humans do. What matters is their current behavior and what's driving it. I've worked with dogs who'd been surrendered three times for aggression and are now reliable family dogs. History shapes behavior; it doesn't determine it.

No. All Heel protocols are force-free and reward-based. Not because I have a philosophical axe to grind, but because the science is clear: positive reinforcement builds faster, more durable behavior change with fewer side effects. Aversive tools (prong collars, e-collars, alpha rolls) create suppression, not learning.

For the right dog and the right issue, it's often the most cost-effective path. Six months of weekly private sessions at $120 each is $2,880. A 2-week Board & Train at $1,800 compresses that timeline dramatically. The key question isn't cost per day — it's cost per result. If your dog has severe leash reactivity or separation anxiety, the board-and-train ROI is usually better.

Every program includes a handover session (Board & Train) or a final integration session (private) where I walk you through exactly what your dog learned and how to maintain it. You'll get a written protocol you can follow. I also offer monthly check-in sessions for clients who want ongoing support.

Not necessarily. On-leash reactivity often responds well to private sessions in real-world environments — parks, sidewalks, near bike paths. We work in the context where the behavior happens. Board & Train is better for dogs whose reactivity is severe enough that daily exposure is needed, or where the owner's handling is part of the equation.

Yes — and the earlier the better. Puppies under 16 weeks are in a critical socialization window. Missing it doesn't doom them, but capitalizing on it makes everything easier. I offer private puppy sessions and the group foundation class is designed for dogs 8 weeks to 5 months.

I work in-home and in-field across Portland, OR and surrounding areas (Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Gresham, Vancouver WA). Board & Train clients come from further afield — I've worked with dogs from Seattle and Sacramento when local options weren't working.